In his Aug. 4 letter, Mr. Bowers, the “infrequent reader,” follows the familiar path of everyone who says, “Why can’t we all just get along? Why can’t we all just love each other?” This sentiment is invariably followed by unlovely words, and this letter was no exception. He calls us “proud” and “goats,” and states that anyone who regularly reads the “Your Views” column is neglecting Bible study, prayer and serving an invalid connection if ever there was one.
This writer recommended that we “take our pulse” by comparing how close we are to the New Testament church described in the book of Acts. I would like to be of service here. In chapter 9, the disciples didn’t want to associate with Paul after his conversion until Barnabas took hold of him and pleaded his case. Then Paul started arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, who promptly attempted to put him to death for his trouble. In chapter 11, when Peter got back to Jerusalem they “contended with him” about eating with Gentiles, and Peter defended himself by explaining his vision of the unclean animals. In chapter 15, we have the famous blowback that resulted from John Mark leaving Paul and his party in Pamphylia. Paul did not want to give him another chance, Barnabas did, and both men stood their ground. “Then the contention became so sharp that they departed one another” (Acts 15:39). Later, at the end of his life, Paul asked for John Mark to come to him, “for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). The dispute did them no harm, and ships sailed in two different directions carrying the Word. Today I heard Dr. David Jeremiah on the radio discussing the dispute between Peter and Paul, and he called it “in-your-face grace.”
If we were to plaster witless smiles on our faces and go around pretending we are all agreeing and not judging one another, we deny our own human nature and everyone else’s. Yes, we disagree on these pages, but most of these writers are sincere and are seeking the highest good, wanting our Southern Baptist churches in their best way possible to reach the lost in this world.
I hope that both our frequent and infrequent readers have read the GCR Task Force report. What an enormous body of work is represented there. I am sure there was dispute, but it was worth it – look at what they have achieved. They are contending for the faith. They have found the hill that they are willing to die on. In these last days, may that be true of us all.
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