I am concerned when I read letters like Randy Pemberton’s attack on the “Elect Jesus” slogan. It is a slogan, not some new theology or doctrine.
One should be slow to criticize another interpretation or application of Scripture in the manner done in this letter. Had Mr. Pemberton prefaced his dogmatic statements with a declaration that they were “his opinion,” the letter would have been more constructive than destructive.
In my opinion, the case of “Elect Jesus” slogan is similar to all manmade attempts to put the gospel of Jesus Christ in current terms for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of the unsaved needing a Savior. It isn’t perfect but I doubt that God received it as an insult as stated. “Elect Jesus” is better than doing nothing, offered by the writer in the referenced letter.
Mr. Pemberton’s closing statement indicates that he is not a Southern Baptist as he proceeds to attack all of us that are, by insinuating we do not recognize God’s sovereignty in salvation in the manner of his Calvinistic interpretation.
I suggest he read the doctrinal statements in the Baptist Faith and Message before he launches out into that arena. By the way, what is a person doing when they come to the point that they declare “God have mercy on me, a sinner” if they are not electing Jesus to save them?
Jesus saves!
Jim Blair
Anniston, Ala.
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