Support for Israel
First of all, I wish to thank The Alabama Baptist for comprehensive coverage of the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention in Montgomery. Baptists respond well when we know the breadth of our mission work.
However, I do believe that coverage of the convention resolutions missed the significance of Resolution No. 3 titled “On prayer and support for Israel.” This resolution made specific statements concerning the effort to support economic boycotting, encourage divestments and impose sanctions upon the nation of Israel.
The resolution adopted by Alabama Baptists specifically defined the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement: “The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement seeks to isolate the nation of Israel economically and socially;” and further expressed “that we support the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign state and reject any activities that attack that right by promoting economic, cultural and academic boycotts against Israel.”
Alabama Baptists are on record stating, “We commend the Alabama Legislature and the governor for passing legislation opposing BDS.” The 2016 Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution opposing BDS.
I am thankful that Southern Baptists and Alabama Baptists are on record opposing the BDS efforts.
John H. Killian
Past president, Alabama
Baptist State Convention
Pastor, Maytown Baptist Church
Discussing Calvinism
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has a rich and fascinating theological heritage well reflected in today’s controversies between the “Traditionalist” view and Calvinistic perspective.
The recent article in The Alabama Baptist about the message by Alabama Pastor Rick Patrick and the comments by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson was rather one-sided.
I gladly affirm Pastor Patrick’s right to promote his perspective though I disagree with him in many ways. I agree with having an honest and charitable conversation of these matters but a conversation generally includes both sides.
Dr. Patterson did say that those with Calvinistic views ought to join another denomination which is hardly the way to encourage mutual respect and acceptance. If I had visited a church and they said to me, “I’m sure you would be more comfortable somewhere else” I would have a hard time interpreting that as an invitation to come back.
Various strains of Calvinism and non-Calvinism are well represented in the history and current culture of the SBC. For either side to try to show the other the door is historically insensitive, practically unwise and spiritually unkind.
We have got to learn to get along with one another despite our theological differences on this matter.
I recommend an excellent booklet called “Building Bridges: Perspectives on Baptist Unity” by David Dockery and Timothy George (Convention Press, 2007) for a helpful perspective.
Pastor Steve Potts
Westwood Baptist Church,
Birmingham, Ala.
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