AN EVANGELIST’S LIFE
As a Southern Baptist evangelist who networks with other Southern Baptist evangelists, I can say the changing course of evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is hurting our ministries, as well as our finances. Many of us work menial jobs so we may fulfill our calling. However, the one-day revival and other SBC tactics are hurting vocational evangelists.
My own ministry opportunities and finances felt the burn of the three- and four-day revival that features a different evangelist each night, rather than one evangelist for one week. Being a husband and a father, I am concerned about the future of evangelism in our denomination, as are my fellow laborers in the gospel.
I would urge pastors and laity to be mindful of the modern-day evangelist and the importance of his calling.
Thank you for the encouragement The Alabama Baptist provides.
Christopher David Berry
Hayden, Ala.
‘THE PASSION’
In the March 4 editorial, I read that in the film “The Passion of the Christ” they have Mary pushing through the crowd to comfort Him while He carries His cross. Jesus says to her, “I make all things new.”
In the first place, these things happened not in Scripture. I was given to understand that this was one film that would not take any liberties with the Scriptures and that it would be enacted just as it is in the Bible. I was skeptical when I read that promise from Hollywood, but their previews touting the film made it clear that suppositions and various interpretations would not come into play.
Mary is only mentioned as standing by the cross of Jesus with other women (John 19:25). Jesus spoke the words, “I make all things new” in Revelation 21:5, not looking into Mary’s eyes but speaking to all in prophecy. Such things come to be written because too much emphasis is given to tradition which cannot be verified. One cannot treat that as the infallible word of God.
So it looks like Mel Gibson could not keep his word, and his informants were not grounded in Scripture as he had hoped.
Betty Sue Bryan
Birmingham, Ala.
NEW NAME FOR SBC
I want to respond to a comment made in the March 18 editorial, “More Than a New Name for Southern Baptists.” In that editorial you claim that a worldwide Southern Baptist denomination would not be in competition with the Baptist World Alliance.
I agree with you that the Southern Baptist Convention should remain in fellowship with Baptist World Alliance. While there is a distinction between a convention and a fellowship, I fail to see how a worldwide Southern Baptist convention would not have a negative impact on BWA.
As members of a worldwide Southern Baptist convention, would not those churches in other parts of the world also be out of fellowship with BWA? As more people turn to Christ around the world and become “Southern Baptists,” would not their gifts and resources be directed outside BWA?
While SBC leaders may say that it is not their desire to be in competition with BWA, a worldwide denomination would be so in function.
C. Jean Cullen
Vincent, Ala.
DEFENDING MARRIAGE
Thank you for your editorial in the March 11 issue, “Defending the Definition of Marriage.” We must have a constitutional amendment to preserve the true purpose of marriage that God established as a union of one man and one woman. Homosexual, same-sex weddings are a mockery of marriage.
Homosexuality is not a legitimate lifestyle. It is a perversion. God calls it an abomination in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. God also classifies it with other sins (Rom. 1:21–32), and so should we.
I wrote to President Bush, Sen. Shelby and Sen. Sessions and Rep. Bachus in February expressing my support for and encouragement of the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Both Sen. Sessions and Rep. Bachus have, in a reply to another letter, written me that they are co-sponsors of the amendment. I encourage all to write them, giving them support and encouragement, and to pray that God will bring about the passage of the amendment.
Eugene R. Thomason
Pell City, Ala.
GAMBLING IS A SIN
How can anyone say something that is a sin can benefit our children?
Gambling is a sin. Our society has come to view gambling as harmless. Gambling offers the false hope of instant abundance, while at the same time denying the means and true purpose of prosperity that God intended. Gambling is believing in “Lady Luck” rather than trusting in God for our daily bread, both for the provision of the bread and for the privilege of earning it — it’s called work.
Everything about gambling contradicts biblical principles and godliness. Lotteries, video gambling, casinos and bingo violate the principle of how one is to live before God. As Christians, we should oppose gambling and the culture it produces. As gambling becomes more prevalent, so does addiction, bankruptcy and crime. Why have South Carolina businesses and churches formed an alliance in order to rid the state of gambling? Because of the harm it’s doing to its people. Nothing good can come from gambling.
Marlene Suther
Selma, Ala.
Share with others: