Thank you for your even-handed and thorough reporting of the recent events with the IMB.
I believe that Allen McWhite was prescient when he spoke of the problem of establishing “doctrinal parameters that go beyond the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.” One of the great joys regarding being a Southern Baptist is that we do have a doctrinal heritage, and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is an adequate and strong document. We need to live within those confines joyfully under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
We need to be exceedingly careful about making statements that would alienate us from brothers and sisters who can subscribe to the Baptist Faith and Message but whose worship and/or practices would not be totally consistent with our own personal beliefs.
Some of the trustees of the IMB have gone beyond the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and we need to be alarmed when even a benevolent oligarchy of leaders seeks to take us beyond the confines of the agreed-upon position.
I hope the IMB will reverse its decision regarding a private prayer language and continue to press on toward fulfilling the Great Commission under the lordship of Christ.
Again, thanks for your reporting and thank you for Mr. McWhite’s candid and irenic response.
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