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Sounds like the SBC has mirrored America in its partisan polarization for the last 30 years or so. When the liberal wing was in power, they did their best to silence the fundamentalists. When the fundies came to power, they instituted their own control of "orthodoxy," shutting out anyone who was independent in their thinking from positions of power.

Yes, they may eventually end up seeing the harm that such bickering causes them, but if not, so what? They're not the final arbiters of truth on the Earth, let alone in "Christendom." Let them fragment themselves into obscurity if that's the course they prefer to take. It's a free country. So far...

This is something that I have heard/spoken of for approximately 15 years. Sadly, many did not care to believe me and dismissed me as "just talking to hear [himself] talk."

Well, the day of reckoning is at hand. I wonder if I am still talking to hear myself talk?!

Yet, this too saddens me. While no longer affiliated with Baptists, I do have contact with my alma mater. In conversations with administrators there, it seems that they have come to an impasse. The minuscule loss of revenue should not be difficult to be found.

The Baptist State Convention of NC contributes less than 5% of the annual budget of these college/universities. Yet, the BSCNC seeks to control the operation of same through dictating who is eligible for consideration as a Trustee.

I would like to have that kind of control of an institution.

I heard it said many years ago, that one needs to be careful of the snakes one encounters. When the prey is eradicated, the snakes will turn on one another. That is is what we see happing in the BSCNC and the SBC as a whole.

Shalom

"I would like to have that kind of control of an institution"................................
do you mean something similar to eldering in the quaker meetings? seems as though they (elders) wield considerable authority over the worshipers in their "meetings". if one is excessively late to a meeting the ministry and worship Committee must take action or if one speaks too much in a meeting the Committee must take action to ensure worship is not compromised.
in fairness the quakers aren't the only ones with these types of rules and regulations.
control is control no matter what 'flavor' of church (meeting) you attend.

This is not just a matter of control for control's sake. Conservative, orthodox Baptists are only being "wise as serpents" in making sure that the donimination, state and national, does not return to the faith-destroying liberalism that plagued it for the better part fo the last century.

This also falls in line with numerous predictions by sociologists that American Christianity will divide along the doctrinal fault lines of liberal and conservative as the century progresses; with extreme liberalism becoming something unrecognizable as biblical Christianity, which it already has IMO.

Although there may be some instances of excessive conformity expectations, I say. "Keep up the good work of insuring the doctrinal orthodoxy of the Southern Baptist Church." Anything else would be irrespnsible as trustees of the Faith "once delivered to the saints."

Anonymous, I believe that a good course in Baptist History is in order. These "conservative," i.e. - fundamentalists are FAR, FAR from being orthodox. That is a misnomer in Baptist life anyway. I suggest becoming a little better informed/educated in Baptist History and then coming back for a more reasoned discussion, especially in the sense of Southern Baptists.

Buz, why the comments regarding Friends? That appears to be a cheap shot that is totally uncalled for. The issue is the BSCNC having total operational control over the affiliated institutions of higher learning, founded by LOCAL Baptists.

What is humorous to me is that during the Great Depression, Wingate College kept going AFTER the BSCNC had NO money. Wingate helped the BSC! So you see, priorities have been misguided and misplaced.

Shalom

darryl,
i brought up the quaker thing because that is your flavor of choice and just wanted to show that the baptists aren't the only one wishing to control things.
you crack me up. you are the master of (underhanded snide remarks towards others).....as a refresher "I heard it said many years ago, that one needs to be careful of the snakes one encounters. When the prey is eradicated, the snakes will turn on one another. That is is what we see happing in the BSCNC and the SBC as a whole."........
are you not saying that bscn & sbc are a bunch of snakes and their actions are backfiring on them ( but of course you don't judge them, right?). could one assume that you took a cheap shot at the baptists ? look, if you can't take it don't dish it out !

Buz, I give up. I have a "moat" in my eye. Seeking to have rationale and reasonable conversation is next to impossible with you. It seems just like what I have listened to at the Convention. The basic premise is that "it" is going to be the way those in power want or "it" will not happen.

I can live with the small, concise world-view that you espouse. The larger question is can you live with the larger and broader world-view that I espouse?

Shalom

mr.darryl,
i hope you don't give up - these blogs simply provide a means for us to express what we think and believe - because i challenge you or you challenge me on our thoughts/beliefs is no reason to throw in the towel - you need to get some thicker skin. but please (for once) explain what was unreasonable and not rationale about my last post ? you cast a thin veil trying to escape answering important questions. you accused me of taking a cheap shot and i countered with what i viewed as your own cheap shot at sbc.
i'm unsure if your "moat in the eye" comment was tonque in cheek or a true admission. but either way we all have the log in the eye syndrome to some extent.
the broader world view that you espouse is not compatible with my understanding of scripture(s). how can i break free of my small concise world view in your opinion?

Don't break free of your small concise world view, Buz. Remember it's the broad way that leads to destruction. Joshua was admonished by the Lord to go neither to the left nor to the right, but to stay the course layed out for him by the Lord; which to human understanding seems narrow and constricted, but to us trains who love God's Word, it is the track of sublimiest freedom.

Autonomous man wants it his own way, all the way. It feels good to the rebel heart. This vaunted "broader world-view" of humanists simply means following after the fool's gold of rampant conjecture and opinion; which seems exciting and oh so nice and liberal, but always yields the bitter fruit of broken homes, STDs, failed government programs, gay "marriage," ailing schools, and all the myriad of other anti-biblical policies spawned by the liberal/humanist extablishment. I'll choose God's narrow way which leads to life over the proven results of human error any day!

nikos,
thanks for the encouragement to stick with my small concise view. there was no fear that i might subsititute it with darryl broad world view - i was only hoping to hear what he thought i needed to get on (his) track. as long as there is any mention against any 'gay' issue in your or my posts, we are simply small minded to darryl and haters and have no truth or love of God in us.
the narrow path is indeed a place where one must focus more on God guiding us than our own ability to traverse it alone. that broad view (path) which he speaks of is indeed welcoming and comfortable and doesn't require much obedience but may require some (self) sacrifice - which viewed by the world seems right - but is it really a sweet smelling savor unto God?.

Buz, I knew you were not in danger of succombing to the broad way "that leadeth to destruction;" I was simply using the opportunity both to support you, and to make my point about the two ways Jesus cited in Matt. 7:13.

The broad way, as Jesus used the term in His "Sermon on the Mount", was intended to stress that spiritual (Kingdom) life is rigorous and defined, and cannot be entered into haphazzardly or ignorantly. One must apply the truths of the Law/Word of God and live a life of discipline and focus - because we are still in "the body of this death" (Rom. 7) and the pull of sin and self remains strong. The implication, however, is that the reward is well worth the effort (in His grace and power) to overcome, and experience the joys and blessings of the Kingdom.

But entering the narrow way does not imply being "narrow-minded" in the popular sense. Christians should be open, logical and gracious - but all within the parameters of God's will. It is the height of true narrow-mindedness to exclude God and His Word from one's considerations in assessing the nature of things and the moral boundaries of life - given the fact that He IS, and that His Word has proven to produce all the proffered results in human experience, when rightly, wisely and honestly applied.

"the reward is well worth the effort (in His grace and power) to overcome"......................................
not understanding this principle truth often derails our faith walk. relying on Gods grace and power is key to being a productive disciple - all to often (and i also speak concerning myself here) we step off that path and tend to try to live in our our power and intellect - assuming we can get the job done - most generally that job is not the way God would have done it, witnessed by the general results.

"to produce all the proffered results in human experience, when rightly, wisely and honestly applied."........... and the ONLY way to succeed in this manner is to first know Christ as Savior and then proceed to prayer and study (and application which leads to dicipleship) of ALL scripture. i can honestly say there is some scripture that i could easily live without (in the flesh that is) and my conscience would be eased but i believe i am subject to it all, hopefully to the praise and glory to God.