Reformed Movement

I personally think that the Reformed movement is healthy for the Southern Baptist Church. And perhaps, contrary to those who were averse to it, releasing the “Traditional Baptist Understanding of Salvation” was also healthy for the Church. The bringing together of these two doctrines, as well as other beliefs, fosters discussions that can only strengthen the Southern Baptist Church. To fight against it, I believe, can weaken the Church or even cause an irrevocable split.

While I, like Dr. Terry, lament the possibility of “another theological fight” (fight being the operative word), my concern is more about how a few within the Southern Baptist community feel it is necessary to talk down those who have attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary under the tutelage of Dr. Albert Mohler, and (even), in some cases (have) gone behind the backs of those men to sabotage their selection by pastor search committees. I think that such talk is more than one simply advocating the old “traditional” doctrine over one they don’t believe; I think that it borders on evil. Yes, I know that is a strong word, but I believe that actively working against God’s plan is in fact evil. Do we not believe that a pastor is led to a given church by God? And when someone acts in an attempt to thwart God’s plan, is that not an evil act? Then it follows that one (who) goes out of his way to dissuade a search committee from selecting a young pastor — because he was trained by a seminary not to this individual’s liking — is committing a trespass against God’s plan, and I submit that those guilty of such talk are not worthy of any office they may hold. Such an act, I believe, is a form of being blasphemous. 

William R. Lee
Enterprise, Ala.