The Baptists in San Antonio
"When we speak the truth without love, it leads to a cold-hearted legalism that our world has come to say is the caricature of the Christian, and I reject that," said Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, holding its annual meeting in San Antonio this week. At the same time, Page said, another danger exists in "a cold-hearted liberalism.
"God wants balance," he said. "He wants us to speak the truth in love."
Among issues: The latest controversy centers on speaking in tongues, a Pentecostal practice that is spreading across denominational lines.
Also, a Baptist pastor also proposes a feasibility study into developing a national database of Southern Baptist ministers who have been "credibly accused of, personally confessed to, or legally been convicted of sexual harassment or abuse."
Comments (4)
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And to think -- I used to go to the same church as Page. I don't remember him... I was never very good with names. I wonder if he'd remember me. Funny the way paths sometimes diverge in life. Huh.
Posted on June 13, 2007 12:00 PM
Speaking in tongues is a joke.
Posted on June 13, 2007 12:44 PM
A guy once did it in our church. This was long after Page was out on his own....
It was after the "invitation" and before the congregation was dismissed. Everyone was stunned and silently watched. After the guy wound down, everything went on as if nothing had happened... I rather think the Baptists of that day were a lot less accepting of it then than they are now.
Posted on June 13, 2007 1:18 PM
It's no joke, RS. It is very "real" to those who have experienced it. Unfortuntely, it was only a genuine expression of the Spirit's work among believers in the first century Church. I respect the sincerity of those who attempt to speak in tongues, but I believe they are forcing something that is no longer legitimate.
This is not just an intellectual viewpoint for me. I was once a charismatic, but no longer accept the exegetical basis of tongues speaking for today. I am not at all pleased with the fruit of the tongues movement. It is outside the sphere of orthodox praxis and leads to all kinds of strange beliefs and eccectric behavior. I think churches/denoms. should take every step to prevent it from taking root among them.
Being filled with the Spirit is another thing altogether, and should be cultivated among biblical Christians with all diligence and faith.
Posted on June 17, 2007 2:26 PM