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Baptist Theology: A Critical Look
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| Creighton Lovelace is a Liar or a Moron |
| 05.30.05 (12:29 pm) [edit] |
I’m tired of people lying their way out of trouble especially politicians and religious folk. A few days ago I read about a Baptist minister http://www.herald-sun.com/sta... that posted a sign http://www.thedigitalcourier.... saying the Quran “should be flushed.”
When confronted about the sign, Lovelace pointed out that “This is America and we have the freedom of the press, so I have the right to put up this sign."
OK. You have the right, but why did you do it? "My creed is the Bible, which tells me I am supposed to stand up and defend my faith," said the Rev. Creighton Lovelace, pastor of the 55-member Danieltown Baptist Church in Forest City. "I don't hate Muslims, I just hate their false doctrines."
Defend the Bible by trashing the Scripture of others? Oh, I see!
“When Lovelace was asked whether he considered before he put the sign up that there may be some consequences or that some people may be angered, he said he was aware of the likelihood of angering some people.
"Well, I thought about it and I said there may be people who are offended by it but the way I look at it, Jesus told his followers that if the world hates you, don't feel bad because they hated me first," said Lovelace. "If we stand for what is right and for God's word and for Christianity then the world is going to condemn us and so right away when I got a complaint I said 'well somebody's mad, somebody's offended, so we must be doing something right.'"”
Rev. Loveless was adamant that he had done nothing wrong and refused to apologize.
Then---He did apologize. http://www.biblicalrecorder.o... "Now I realize how offensive this is to them, and after praying about it, I have chosen to remove the sign," he said. "I apologize for posting that message and deeply regret that it has offended so many in the Muslim community."
Although Lovelace stood his ground early in the week, saying he knew the sign would be offensive, Lovelace's statement on Wednesday said his intentions were to "exalt the Bible and its teaching."
"It was certainly not my intent to insult any people of faith, but instead to remind the people in this community of the preeminence of God's Word," he said.
It WAS his intent to offend, it WAS his intent to get attention. It WAS his intent to be “persecuted.” If he is so ignorant that he can’t tell the difference between “standing up for God’s Word” and trashing someone’s beliefs ( a common problem with Southern Baptists these days), he needs to step down as pastor. Why didn’t he “pray about this” before he put such an asinine sign in front of his church?
Now is the time for all Baptists to call their fellow Baptists to stop hindering the good news!
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| Judge: Parents can't teach pagan beliefs |
| 05.28.05 (10:42 am) [edit] |
It is an historical fact which is currently being ignored by Baptists in America that their forefathers (sorry…not to many women involved in the struggle at that time) fought for the seperation of church and state in this country during its inception. It might be a leap to say Baptists were solely responsible for the idea http://www.usconstitution.net..., but they were very important.
Now is the time for Indiana Baptists to take a stand for religious liberty! http://www.indystar.com/apps/... "An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge's unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals."
The parents practice Wicca, a contemporary pagan religion that emphasizes a balance in nature and reverence for the earth.
Cale J. Bradford, chief judge of the Marion Superior Court, kept the unusual provision in the couple's divorce decree last year over their fierce objections, court records show. The order does not define a mainstream religion."
This is an incredible opportunity for Indiana Baptist to demonstrate their love for their neighbor. I only wish that I could stand with Thomas Jones as he fights the judge’s decision. I will be praying for him though.
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| Lost My Best? Friend? |
| 05.20.05 (4:28 am) [edit] |
I know I’ll probably end up looking like the jerk in this situation, but here I go…
I have a friend that I met at work about four years ago. We really seemed to hit it off well. He was fascinated by my religious upbringing and we went to lunch together almost every day and he would come over to my house almost every Thursday night. This closeness continued even after he no longer worked with me. We’d fix elaborate meals and drink wine and have a great time. My wife and kids really love him as much as I do. My daughter is crazy about him and my oldest son loves to sit and listen as we talk together. He’s always so much fun and has a wonderful outlook on life.
About a year ago, my wife was diagnosed with cancer and we’ve had a pretty traumatic year. It’s been very difficult for my wife, my kids and me. In fact, even though she’s finished all the treatments and has been given a clean bill of health, we’re all kind of suffering from post traumatic stress. The grace of God and our love for each other has been a real source of strength for us. My colleagues at work have been great, our friends have been wonderful and members of our church have been unbelievably creative in ways that have helped us.
My old friend hasn’t been so helpful. He only came by once (after being invited) and has only sent a few emails. No, he’s not freaked out by the illness. He has a divinity degree and is very compassionate and caring toward everyone. In fact, I once told him that he was the closest person to Jesus that I’ve ever seen. He’s still hanging out with my other friends so I know he has time for them. I’m a bit angry, but I mostly feel sad.
Was he really my friend? Did he really once care for my wife, my kids, and me? I don’t know. And surely those of you in Blogland have no idea either. I’m not looking for advice, or for you to trash my friend. I just needed to get this off my chest. I will not call him and say, “Man, you’ve really let me down this year. I needed so many times to cry on your shoulder.”
I don’t want to guilt him or force him to care about me. Maybe I’ve let him down in some way. I’ll just move on, but I know that my life will be poorer because I no longer will be able to laugh with him and share good times with him and learn from him.
I’ll work very hard at making a new friend now. I know this past year would have been more bearable with my friend’s laughter and listening ears.
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A Blog About Baptists and Their Theology
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