Steve Pruett’s response to the article on “steps to reverse SBC evangelistic slide” was hasty and naive.
Steve Pruett’s response to the article on “steps to
reverse SBC evangelistic slide” was hasty and naive. To propose an
abandonment or weakening of our stance on “divisive culture war issues”
would neglect our responsibility to be salt and light.
Pruett chides the SBC for “our close association with one political
party.” A more accurate observation is that one party has hitched their
wagon to the evangelical team.
“Cultural” and biblical” issues overlap more often
than not. Pruett chose as an example of Southern Baptist’s “alienation”
the tired issue of female clergy. He concluded that since 70 percent of
Americans support women pastors, we must embrace or tolerate this
unscriptural ideology or forfeit our opportunity to evangelize. God’s
standards are our plumb line, not fickle opinions of secular society.
The cliched mantra “who are we to judge others” is drawn from the well
of liberal jargon. Pruett’s use of 1 Cor. 5:12-13 as a command for
Christians to silence our mouths to the sin around us is poor exegesis.
If we abandon the front line in the “culture
wars,” who will take our place? No one, and no one should. Our
salt irritates the sinfully sensitive and our light causes those who
love the darkness of depravity to scurry.
Pruett says, “boycotts, politics, conservative
judges, laws and regulations will not ultimately produce the type of
change we would all like to see in our culture.” Tolerating corporate
sponsorship of immoral activity, political apathy, liberal jurists and
anarchy are also ineffective.
People are dying and going to hell because many
Christians soothe them only with words of acceptance and tolerance. We
must be “all-out, take-no-prisoner culture warriors” and “an effective
evangelistic force” at the same time. How can we convert people we have
no right to engage in the arena of ideas?
Joe Wiggins, Pastor
Bogue Chitto Baptist Church
Mt. Hermon