As a pastor who is proud of the work that my colleagues are doing around the state, I was disappointed to read the responses to Dr. Brad Whitt’s editorial in the last issue of The Baptist Courier. He had raised some interesting points about the direction in which we’re headed. The tone of his letter reflected hurt and dismay; he was obviously in need of compassion as a fellow Christian worker.
Perhaps a healthy dialogue would begin. I do not know Dr. Whitt, and I cannot verify the accuracy of his perceptions about the theological leanings of our state convention. I had hoped that someone would ask him to cite particular examples. Instead, the next issue’s forum was filled with rebukes. From the leadership of the convention came an appeal to fall into line. There seemed to be a basic neglect of the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40).
I can only hope that those who took such an approach have reached out personally to Dr. Whitt to try to understand where he is coming from. To so quickly devalue his opinions was unfair and disrespectful.
As Baptists, in our essential theological beliefs, we have unity. In our non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. In all our beliefs, we show Christian charity.
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