Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom, affirming that right for all persons and outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love." Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom, affirming that right for all persons and outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love." The Chicago Declaration of Religious Freedom was initiated by Southern Baptist leaders in light of recent criticism about evangelistic efforts. It has been endorsed by several dozen evangelical leaders. The declaration notes that freedom to share one’s religious beliefs is a basic liberty. "Yet confusion has arisen over the efforts of some Christian believers, ministries, and denominations to make Christ known to members of other faith communities," the statement adds. "Some contend that these efforts undermine a peaceful, pluralistic society and may lead to intolerance, bigotry, and even violence. "As followers of Jesus Christ representing numerous denominations and religious organizations, we affirm that: "Only a society that permits free discourse within the robust marketplace of ideas envisioned by America’s founders can safeguard the true … [Read more...]

I have some reservations about a point or two in the revised Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language in the article on the doctrine of salvation. I have some reservations about a point or two in the revised Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language in the article on the doctrine of salvation. The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message contained language that was theologically unclear at best. It has been carried over into the revision. I had the opportunity to discuss this with Dr. Hobbs before his death. On that occasion, we also talked about the term "soul competency." I wanted to know where the terminology came from. To my astonishment, Dr. Hobbs told me he invented the term. He said he first used it in an introduction for an edition of "The Axioms of the Christian Religion," by E. Y. Mullins. Dr. Hobbs could have been wrong about that, but I have never seen the term in older works. It is hard to imagine that Baptist theologians like James Boyce and John Dagg or preachers like Charles Spurgeon would use such a term. They believed in the incompetence of man, not in his competence before God. They believed we do not become spiritually competent until the Lord renews … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented in the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers. Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented in the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers. Dr. Timothy McCoy, pastor of Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia was elected as chair of the board of trustees. McCoy defeated Dr. Alan Day, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Edmond, Okla. by a margin of two votes. Both McCoy and Day are graduates of Louisiana College. Day graduated from Louisiana College in 1969, and McCoy graduated in 1979. Day is originally from Bogalusa, and McCoy came to Louisiana College by way of Kenner. Day received the doctor of theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in l979. While he was a student at Louisiana College, McCoy did some of his first preaching at the First Baptist Church of Basile. While he was at Louisiana College, Day was pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Bunkie. While he was at New Orleans Seminary, he was pastor of the Gray’s Creek Baptist Church in Denham Springs. Diane Reeder of Shreveport was elected recording secretary. Affectionately known as Pinkie, she is a member … [Read more...]

I concur with your editorial suggesting a year should elapse between the presentation of the report on the Baptist Faith and Message and the time messengers vote. I fear many messengers will not have seen the report and will not have studied the document. An issue of this importance deserves a one-year delay. I concur with your editorial suggesting a year should elapse between the presentation of the report on the Baptist Faith and Message and the time messengers vote. I fear many messengers will not have seen the report and will not have studied the document. An issue of this importance deserves a one-year delay. In spite of the fact that the committee has claimed to have great respect for the preamble of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message and their efforts to retain much of that significant part, I am concerned that the paragraph in the 1963 statement about the soul’s competency before God and the priesthood of the believer has been omitted. So important was that to the 1963 committee that chairman Dr. Herschel Hobbs wrote a large portion of his first chapter in The Baptist Faith and Message study book about that doctrine. He referred to Baptists’ belief about the soul’s competency and priesthood of the … [Read more...]

It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives hasn’t done much good. It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives hasn’t done much good. Perhaps all the readers against gamb-ling should pray to God to somehow rid us of gambling. Seems impossible with so many gambling places. With God nothing is impossible. People need to ask God to rid them of this idea of getting rich having this so-called fun. All gambling causes is ruined lives. An empty life. Just look how messy things are — Adam and Eve and the apple. We’ll never learn will we? God have mercy on us. Dorothy Sanders Jonesboro It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives hasn’t done much good. It seems to me all the writing to our senators and representatives hasn’t done much good. Perhaps all the readers against gamb-ling should pray to God to somehow rid us of gambling. Seems impossible with so many gambling places. With God nothing is impossible. People need to ask God to rid them of this idea of getting rich having this so-called fun. All gambling causes is ruined lives. An empty life. Just look how messy things are — Adam and Eve and the apple. We’ll … [Read more...]

On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You! On behalf of the entire membership of the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church in Hong Kong, I say a heartfelt Thank You! Through your generous giving, the Clearwater Bay International Baptist Chapel was begun in 1993. Our first two pastors and their wives were International Mission Board personnel. We became financially independent in 1998 and continued into an independent church last May. As we celebrate our one-year anniversary, we are reminded of faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in the States. We are located next to a large university campus where over 700 scholars from mainland China are studying. Among other ministries, in the last two years we have baptized and discipled eight new believers from the mainland. So much more needs to be done. Many other scholars attend our studies and services, earnestly seeking the truth. We are blessed that in Hong Kong we are completely free to share the gospel and live in a vibrant community of faith. Each Sunday some 100 people from 18 different countries gather to celebrate our common life in Christ. Cooperative … [Read more...]

In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision of creation." This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal that would have kept that policy in place. In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish school board passed a policy requiring public school teachers to tell students that lessons on evolution were "not intended to influence or dissaude the biblical vision of creation." This month, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal that would have kept that policy in place. By a 6-3 vote, the high court decided not to review the appeal by the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education concerning its 1994 policy. Several parents of children in the school district had sued, arguing the disclaimer violated the so-called "wall of separation" between church and state. A federal judge struck down the policy, a ruling that was upheld by a U.S. appeals court. The federal judge said the disclaimer was unconstitutional because it had a religious purpose. The appeals court struck it down for a different reason, declaring it had the effect of promoting religion. The six … [Read more...]

As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. As expected, Southern Baptist convention messengers elected James Merritt, as denominational president last week. Messengers also chose Louisiana Baptist Convention President Tommy French to serve as their second vice president. Merritt was unopposed. He is pastor at First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga. He was nominated by Texas Baptist pastor Jack Graham, who characterized Merritt as a "consensus" candidate. Merritt should be elected because he is connected to the power of God, Graham said. "I believe that he is anointed and appointed for this strategic ministry by the sovereign grace and will of God." A Georgia native, Merritt has served as pastor of his 12,000-member Atlanta-area church since 1985. During his tenure, the congregation has baptized 7,826 people and seen average Sunday School attendance grow from 800 to 3,250. Merritt is the first baby boomer to be elected to the denominational post. In a news conference following his … [Read more...]

The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. The Louisiana Legislature has ended its 2000 regular session - but the danger of an expansion of legalized gambling remains, Ken Ward warned. Indeed, gambling opponents need to be wary - and watchful - of an upcoming special session of the Legislature. The special session is necessary because legislators failed to pass a state budget during their recently-completed session. And the gambling lobby is expected to act in full force during that session for favorable legislation that would give them an even stronger hold on the state, said Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Moral and Civic Foundation. "The thought of a special session by an obviously pro-gambling Legislature is a scary thought for any in our state who are still thinking," Ward insisted. "Concerned citizens should get ready and be prepared to do what they can … [Read more...]

The man gave all the money he had — not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lord’s work instead. "I don’t really need them," he said. The man gave all the money he had — not because he had to, but because that is what he wanted to do. He had saved every penny for himself, but he gave the small bag of coins to the Lord’s work instead. "I don’t really need them," he said. But he did — for like the others attending the worship service at the Brantley Center in New Orleans, the man was homeless. But like him, the others at the service also were giving of what little they had. Digging deep into their pockets, the other homeless people contributed, literally one coin at a time. When the Brantley Center started its "Penny for Your Thoughts" campaign, homeless people were not considered among possible contributors. After all, the center shelters and ministers to the homeless. Instead, the Southern Baptist center asked groups and individuals to commit to give one penny for each person sheltered at the center each month. Each month, the Brantley Center shelters about 6,000 of the estimated … [Read more...]