This is Great Stuff!

Came across these very good comments today concerning unhealthy and unbiblical rhetoric. Thought you might check em out!

To Ben Cole on his blog, Baptist Blogger:

fishformen said...
Ben,
I have read the Memphis declaration and I agree with much of it. I certianly agree with the nepotism problems. I do however, want to make a statement. Before I do let me list my aquaintences and relationships so you don't have to do all the work. I am a graduate of SEBTS (1998); I served churches under the leadership of Dr Jim Cogdill and Bill Bowyer. In all my years as a SBC minister I have attended 2 conventions and I will not be in Greensboro because I will be in El Salvador doing evangelism.
My statement comes from Watchman Nee, whom those I have served under and educated under would probably dismiss as a heretic (certianly some conservatives have been opposed to his views).
Nee in his work "Spiritual Authority" talks of the relationship of King David and King Saul. Saul was the sitting King, already rejected by God but still sitting on the throne. David was the annointed king by God and yet had to wait 13 years to realize this in Israel. The point is David never publically spoke negatively, critically or in a fashion to demean Saul. David even repented of the fact that he took opportunity to humiliate Saul as he took part of his robe. I, for the Kingdom sake, ask you to refrain from the public retoric concerning Dr. Patterson. What is at stake is not his character or yours, but Christ's. Your publicizing of discontent, in my view, only serves Satan's agenda by confusing legitimnate issues with personal assaults. Our shame is that all can see your blog, including the lost. If indeed you feel Patterson is wrong, then pray for God to convict him or remove him of his leadership and influence. Ben, pursue kingdom endevours and let God get the glory for moving him on, not your reseach and retoric and digging of the dirt for his demise. I consider Nee's book a must read.
Chris Gilliam

Mike said...
What was Memphis anyway? I was thrilled and excited about God's activity but it is hard to see the results sometime. Why not write stuff that is edifying to Christ and builds up the body of Christ instead of what "appears" to be coming in the next few days. I am discouraged and concerned of both sides. We need more knee time with our computers and mouths shut and closed and our eyes, hearts, and spirits open to what God is saying. We need a revival in the deepest sense BEFORE anything else is done. I am ashamed to be SBC in the world today. I strongly urge you to be a unifier. You are capable it seems.

PiercedandHealed said...
It seems that you are saying that anyone ever associated with Paige Patterson should not be allowed to hold any office or position within the SBC comm.?? That will probably rule out the majority of the people.

The names are published and they are out for anyone to see and they are no secret, so things are not happening "under the radar". Conversely, I don't remember reading in the Bible that God would "gloriously announce to all His intentions so they may come up for voter approval before said intentions are put into practice".

The problem here is the magnification of the fundamental flaw in humanity... not getting our way. When we are not getting our way or when we do not have control over things we feel we should control we try to rally support to justify our feelings however misguided or wrong they may be. God never said he will talk about who is right and go from there... His Word tells us that we are to stop complaining, whining and moaning. We are to listen and FOLLOW and though we may not understand HIS WAYS we are to follow HIS WORD.

We tend to get caught up in the idea that it is all about us and the way we think things should progress. Yet, if we trace back history we will see that MAN messed it up in the first place and since then we have been doomed to repeat it... and doing a great job of it.

KJAnNWA said...
Somebody has way too much time on his hands!

Hey - that last one is true of all of us in Blogtown!

Blessings
JM