Am I the only Louisiana Baptist who finds Bill Ascol’s
comments to our state convention “very interesting?”
Am I the only Louisiana Baptist who finds Bill Ascol’s
comments to our state convention “very interesting?” While it is commendable
that Ascol felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the courage to confess
his “intemperate” and “sinful” comments toward Perry Sanders,
I lament both his actions and the timing of his admission. Ascol is the voice
for fundamentalism in Louisiana. He displayed a willingness to totally misrepresent
Perry Sanders to Louisiana Baptists so that his candidate could win a denominational
election. Whatever you think of Perry Sanders, his ministry has stood the test
of time and speaks of integrity.
This “ends justifies the means” mentality disturbs
me greatly. What adds to my concern is that Ascol represents a group that promotes
biblical fundamentalism. The Louisiana Inerrancy Fellowship is on the band wagon
for “doctrinal purity.” I heard a saying that applies: “Your
walk talks and your talk talks but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.”
I am perplexed that a leader for fundamentalism and doctrinal purity in our
state would so blatantly say one thing and do another.
This is one of the man reasons many Bible believing Louisiana
pastors and laypeople have not joined forces with the fundamentalist machine.
Because of repeated “strong arm” tactics over the years, I question
why Ascol didn’t confess his “sinful” behavior prior to the election
of the president?
Unfortunately, many leaders (on both sides of the debate) don’t
want their tent to be large enough to include the other. Until we apply Fred
Lowery’s sermon on Christian love, forgiveness and encouragement, the losers
in this debate will be the lost souls of Louisiana.
David E. Leavell, Pastor
FBC, Ruston