As I finished reading the letter entitled “An Unmentioned Reason,” by Steve Pruett in the August 18 issue, I almost laughed at the rebuttal of solutions to the SBC’s evangelistic slide.
As I finished reading the letter entitled “An
Unmentioned Reason,” by Steve Pruett in the August 18 issue, I almost
laughed at the rebuttal of solutions to the SBC’s evangelistic slide.
The reason given that we are “alienated” by “70 percent of the
population” is because that 70 percent of the population believes women
should be pastors.
I serve a God whose message is very confrontational.
Coming to him challenges the natural man to live a new life, contrary
to almost everything the world believes. Is it “not fair” that the SBC
has no women pastors? Maybe in the world’s eyes, but since I was
saved, I no longer look through the world’s eyes. My opinion on the
matter is, “What does the Bible say about women pastors and other
confrontational issues?”
The passages for the qualifications of a pastor are
clearly masculine in nature. The denominations that have accepted women
pastors are the ones struggling with the acceptance of homosexual
pastors. I do not wish to see the SBC struggling with such issues.
One passage for those who are offended by our
message is John 8:31-32 – “So, Jesus was saying to those Jews who
had believed him, ‘If you continue in my Word, then, you are truly
disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make
you free.” (NASB)
Loosening the truth would only bring more problems
into the church. Telling the people the truth about what we believe
will help them to know what to expect once they do come into SBC
churches. As Southern Baptists, we should be very audible in support of
a political party that has taken moral stances against abortion and
homosexuality. If it alienates people, I am not ready to sacrifice the
truth so someone can believe in a gospel that is less than the truth.
Tom Carlton, Pastor
First Baptist Church
Doyline