Rewriting the Bible?

There is an article posted on the Baptist Today page about a group of conservatives who are “rewriting the Bible” to reflect current conservative viewpoints.

For example they claim that the passage from Luke where Jesus says: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”, is a “liberal” insert and wish to remove it from the text. Golly gosh, dang, gotta a passage that doesn’t fit your theology, why just cut it out and bammo, ya got a theology you can be comfortable with!!

That is the thing about the Bible, it has lots of passages that make us uncomfortable. Like “turning the other cheek” or loving your enemies. Or how about “doing unto others..”.  The Bible cuts us to the quick. But when boneheads like this conservative group decides to “cherry pick” and pull out passages they don’t like, that goes beyond the pale.

I suppose they are gonna “cut” the passage about Phoebe being a deacon, or how the Bible uses the word “inspired” instead of inerrant. The contradictory suicide accounts of Judas will finally match up in thier version. Jesus will no longer be head of the church, the pastor will be so deemed.

Where does rewriting the Bible to our liking stop? That’s just it, it won’t stop. It will become a book to our liking and then have no power left.  It will no longer be sharper than a two edged sword. It will become a dull useless book to place among the other books on our shelf.

BGCT Hurt by Economy

As much as others have tried and failed to convince me that the supposed decline in the BGCT is due to nefarious reasons, it just isn’t so. The decline is running right along side the economic slide our country has been in for a while now.

Admittedly the convention has lost some to that other convention. But were they really part of the BGCT in the first place? And with the departure of those churches we have lost some income and attendance at the annual convention meetings.

For the most part, the drop in giving and attendance has been due to the decline in our economic state.  Am currently reading the recently published biography of George W. Truett (excellent book by the way) and in this book, it chronicles the decline in attendance and giving within the BGCT during the early 1920’s and in the 1930’s with the depression . FBC Dallas was hurting financially as well as many other churches struggled along side them.

The BGCT had to cut staff greatly during the financial crisis of that day. And so it is today. This decline in money and attendance is nothing new.  Oh, I know some want to place blame on leaders etc. The blame game was going on in that day too. J. Frank Norris was notorious for his constant rant against anything BGCT and attacked many of the leaders personally. Truett, B. H. Carroll and many others were considered the reason why the BGCT was in decline.

As I was reading the book, I saw so many comparisons to our current situation. The convention suffered but it recovered greatly. The same is true today. Granted it will take some bold leaders and dreamers to lead us into untested areas. Maybe it is high time, the old guard steps away and let’s some younger leaders step up to the plate.

I realize asking the “old guard” to move aside and let the young lead is a very difficult thing to ask. I know, even in my own congregation that is hard. “Why they just might mess things up!”  They are the future of our churches as well as our convention. God will mold them and use them if we will let them lead.

I am hopeful and trusting that God will do what God needs to do in the future with the BGCT or whatever name it may be called down the line. It may not be as we know it, but God is still God and well, aint nothing we can do about it. God will prevail, if we let Him.

“People Like That”

Just finished reading an article about a church that started a homeless shelter within its building. It all started when the pastor let a man sleep on one of the churches couches.

That was one year ago and now there are 23 men staying in the church. The come from rough and tumble backgrounds. Some right out of prison with no place to go, some struggling with drugs and alcohol. The Sunday School class rooms have been converted into sleeping areas for the men. The pastor has the men sign an agreement that they will follow all of the rules and regulations in order to stay there (how horrible, to make people abide by rules!!) if not they are promptly asked to leave. They are required to be involved in Bible Study and worship times while there. Many lives have been changed through this ministry.

But in the article it mentioned that when the pastor went to the congregation to get approval to do this ministry and let the men stay in the church.  Half of the congregation left saying couldn’t be around “people like that”.

Never mind that Jesus Himself hung around “people like that”. I guess you could say this church had some of what I call “blessed subtractions”. I would have gladly said to those leaving the church, “Don’t let the door hit you on the butt on the way out!!”

We are all called to minister to “people like that”. And when we do we will be criticized and marginalized by many. Especially among the “self-righteous”, we will be astricized and in many cases pushed out of the church. Why we can’t have a pastor who really reads and follows God’s mandate to minister “unto the least of these”.  

 As I write this post, I am preparing to go to the county prison and minister to “the least of these”. I told the two men I am to see, I would not turn my back on them, no matter what.  Some might say I am wasting my time. I go to show that Jesus didn’t waste His time dying on the cross for my sins and saving my life and exhorting me to go in His name.

Give Thanks, with a grateful heart!!!

 

Is Montoya really Gone?

Went to his blog and see where it is shut down. Well, well, well what do ya know. He really did go away.

Oh, but he will be back, mark my words. He just can’t stay away from controversy. He will dream up something else to fight about.

Anyway, he is gone for now.

My Post Convention Thoughts

Let me say at the outset how thankful I am to the BGCT for providing the scholarship funds for staying at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston. It was a spectacular place and one of the nicest I have ever stayed in. Having said that, I was disappointed with it on several counts.

When I got there  was only one elevator was working so that was a pain–alas not the conventions fault.

Was disappointed to find out the hotel was just a tad over 1 mile away from the convention center complex. I thought it would be much closer and within walking distance. Hotel did not provide any shuttle to the convention center. One of the local churches took care of that. But it was, at least for me, infrequent in pickup and drop off times.

Was also disappointed that the Hyatt Regency charges you to park in thier garage!! One would think that was part of staying there. They charged $25 a day. You could park elsewhere but it was $15 a day and they charged you to come and go.

Got into Houston tired and hungry, so thought about having room service. The cheapest item on the menu would have cost me $15.00, which included room delivery of $3.50 plus 19% gratuity. Because of the elevator issue mentioned earlier it would take an hour and a half to deliver. So I just went to bed hungry.

Was afraid to “use” anything in the room, for fear they were gonna charge me for that. Thankfully they didn’t charge for using thier beautiful bathroom!

The convention attendence itself was down from the past. As mentioned before in earlier posts, none from my Association came. Several said they didn’t want to make the drive into Houston, or that it was too expensive. I understand that completely.

I did run into several friends from past conventions, but did notice it was poorly attended. High cost of gas, food and lodging may have played a big factor.

The two workshops I attended were full. One was Evangelism in the Small Church, with Cecil Deadman and the other was Care with Dr. Joel Gregory. Both were excellent and I enjoyed and gained much from each.

Opening session on Monday was great. The worship and preaching was excellent. The business portion went smoothly and were actually ahead of schedule. Afternoon session gets the same praise.

I ate at some one of provided vendors at the convention center. Didn’t want to hassle with going all the way back to the hotel and getting my car and driving to a place to eat. The vendors were overpriced and not much to eat. Had a coke and hotdog, and it cost almost ten dollars!! Was still hungry after but just couldn’t afford much more than that.

By evening on Monday,I was bushed and didn’t return for the evening session. Didn’t trust that the shuttle would be on time and frequent enough. So just walked to Subway and crashed for the evening.

Debated on attending the Tuesday morning session. Honestly my only draw to attending the morning sesssion was to hear Dr. George Mason.  Again was skeptical about the transportation to and from the convention. Not only that I had to be checked out of hotel by noon. Plus I was to drive to Ft. Worth for a hospital visit. So I choose not to attend the morning session and instead take my time and drive up to Ft. Worth.

The “goody” displays were nice,but honestly, they are after attending the convention at least seven times, starting to look the same. I enjoy meeting people there more than anything else. Seeing old friends is what makes the exhibit hall nice.

So here is my complaint, it was all too expensive for this poor preacher. I had the budgeted money for it, but gee wiz, can we do this thing cheaper!! Most don’t come because of the expense. Or they just don’t care for the drive to far away places.

Understand that next year it will be in McAllen. I am debating on that trip. Talked to a pastor friend and we might car pool there. It is a good ten hour trip for us, but we can swap out the driving and that would be nice.

So BGCT you gotta find better places to meet that don’t eat us alive financially!! Hotel bills are ridiculous, dang I sound just like my dad. I might bring a camper next year. Depends on gas prices. I just hate paying so much for a room that you only use to sleep in.

Why not keep the convention in more central locations within the state? Less driving and more accomodating for the whole state.

Could the convention be streamlined to allow for more preaching and worship? Let’s be honest, by the time Tuesday rolls around for the annual sermon, attendance usually is pitiful. People that drove a long way, have to hit the road to get home in a reasonable hour.

I realize businees portions are a part of it, but can we place it differently? What about having a Preaching conference before or after? Just a thought.

In the ABC/USA, they meet biannually. And attendance at this events are greatly attended.  Just wondering if that is feasible. Could have strictly business meetings in the alternating years, and have them at smaller venues.

Anyway those are my thoughts. I enjoy going to convention, just don’t like the drive to far away places and the high cost of the venues.

 

 

STill No Revelations

The great revelations of corruption etc. within the BGCT have not materialized as Montoya practically guaranteed. He promised heads were gonna roll and people were gonna be shocked. But alas nothing but the same old dribble flows from his poison pin.

As a matter of fact he is still promising to shut down his blog. It just aint gonna happen. I’m telling ya, he can’t stay away from this. He can’t ride off into the sunset. He has to find more “stuff” to reveal. His self esteem depends on it.

In the meantime, everyone is moving on and leaving all that stuff in the past. Phil. 3:13,14 tells us to leave stuff in the past and go forward for His glory. The past belongs in the past. Our past viewing mirrors need to be broken and not used again.

Don’t get me wrong, all is not well with the BGCT. It still needs some work. It is like any church that has had some struggles and will go forward as the past is left alone. New dreams and visions will pull Texas Baptist into the future.

I am looking forward to the convention and seeing what God has in store for Texas Baptist. God isn’t done with Texas Baptist. The disgruntled may very well start another convention. Fine and dandy, nothing stopping them. More power to them. Just wonder what they could call it. Disgruntled Texas Baptist Convention. Why they could meet way out in Wink. Out of sight and out of mind. Just kidding.

In the meantime, I am not waiting with bated breath for “new” revelations from Montoya.

Just Thinking

 

Just thought it interesting how many times in Montoya’s last and up to date post how many times he used first person pronouns. Here is the actual use of each:

 

“I have been threatened, I write about, I am being very careful, I publish at this time, I will get to publish, changed my mind, I am still very (shaky, very shaky) confident, I am not talking about,  I can hardly wait,  I will let other people, Because of my willingness, I just don’t care to fight, it is my last hope, I (don’t care anymore), I understand that these,  I would say to these gutless wonders, I have faced those, I criticize, I have mentioned in this blog I have either faced, I have said here to their faces, I repeat, I don’t have to change my story, I really cannot understand,  I cannot understand how, I am ending this blog, (ed. Note: “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow”, oh wait, he is changing his mind!),

Have I been extreme?  Oh yes I have.  Have I pushed this to the edge?  Yes I have.  Would I do it again?  Yes, sadly I would (turnip truck syndrome), Because of the threat I cannot list, But please understand, I am not done yet; or am I.”

As Arsenio Hall used to say on his show, “Hmmmm!”

So Who is the Bully?

Even if I don’t mention any names of other bloggers, I am criticized and called hateful. I guess to criticize is to be considered hateful. So the gloves are off. I have been nice for too long. Montoya and Davis can’t handle any critique. I am sick and tired of them pontificating on and on about all things spiritual and yet so gleefully attack anyone who supports Texas Baptist (BGCT).  What is good for the goose is good for the gander guys. Yall can dish it out but ya can’t take it. What a bunch of wimps!!

There I did it, I mentioned the “bloggers” names and just you wait and see the name calling really kick in.   They will call me ignorant and other names just to demean me. So who is still in the school yard? Who is the bully? Ever notice how they don’t allow for decending views and rip those “offending” views to shreds? Ever notice how they will even go so far as to question your Christianity and calling into the ministry? So who is the one pushing others in the back?

Who is wimping out and not coming to the convention? Who can’t get what they want and so stay home and yell from afar? Who is strongly encouraging churches and individuals to withhold funds and in the process hurt many innocent bystanders? So stop being a bully and man up and start your own convention? What is the old phrase: “Lead, follow or get out of the way.” So guys you obviously don’t wanna lead and you darn well aint gonna follow, so that leaves it for you to get out of the way.

So who is the bully? Just wait and see how they respond. Oh, they may just fume and refuse to give me time of day. Just know I WILL NOT block any response they have. So fire away guys.

And we wait and we wait!

So it is these days, as we nervously await the supposed “Enguirer” like slam down from the blogger.

And we wait and wait. And eventually we realize it is nothing but hot air and the blogger won’t go away. He will write on and on about how persecuted and threatened he is and we all let out a collective yawn.

Yaaaaawn!!!

Extremist Defined

These lines are from a post on Rick Davis’ blog:

“Extremists offer to leave as soon as their work is done but insist they are the only ones who can decide the end of their purpose.”

“Extremists operate well in the sound-bite. Debate, they deride.”

Seems like the perfect description of another blogger of infamy.