Baptist Reputation

We have a reputation of not accepting bad doctrine just because it may be fashionable and make others feel good, and I don't think that is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, I think it is a good thing. Most people who say things like this are generally, in my experience, the ones who are intolerant and quick to condemn the Baptists because we don't make them feel good about their sin.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Joseph took the words right out of my mouth!!!!

Bro. David

 

Ugh! Sorta some broad strokes there, bucko!
I believe in todays world, such behavior cannot be isolated to just the Baptists. Isn't what you're saying making you judgemental?

 

Where I had lived for many years Baptist churches are dying while good strong Bible believeing churches are being planted and doing well. It is my opinion that many Baptist churches have done as many brand names have done--relied on the reputation of their brand too long.

Where I live now, the largest church in the area is a Baptist church. People commonly say it is the most unbaptist baptist church. It is Baptist without all the politics and denominational junk. The church is about building up people, encouraging people and sharing their faith. All kinds fo ministry is being done by people in the church. The pastor is not a control freak who has to know about everything going on.

Eight years ago it was failing miserably and people were fighting. They didn't have their eyes on Jesus. In fact one of the church leaders told me that years ago the man who was the the pastor then got together a number of people to visit a family who was wealthy that had visited the church in an effort to win them mostly because of the money they could give.

 

I do not agree with one word of what you wrote.

I have never once ever heard a non-believer mention what you wrote.

Many have read or heard about the stealing of people's money by the BFA. They have read or heard about the lies of the trustees when Dilday was fired at SWBTS. They have read or heard about the time the police were called in during a fight at an SBC convention meeting. They have read about the Disney boycott by the SBC. That kind of stuff is just plain stupid.

When I lived in the south I saw the issues of slavery and segregation supported in the church. You call that being hard on sin? That is of the devil. Non-christians talk about such hypocrisy.

Never once have I ever heard a non-believer talk about how Baptists are hard on sin but rather they are not hard on their own sin first while they are condemning the world. The only people Jesus condemned were the religious folks.

You need to read the book SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM UNCHURCHED by Thom S. Rainer a southern Baptist at SBTS. Rainer is at SBTS.

 

I know exactly what you are talking about. Before I got saved, I thought that "Baptist" was a four-letter word. And now that I am saved—and a Baptist, I see all too many Baptists behaving as though it is a four-letter word. In my denomination (Conservative Baptist), many churches are deleting the word “Baptist” from their name because the word “Baptist” to very many people carries very strong pejorative connotations, especially of ignorance and bigotry.

 

The Baptist motto in the community where live is, “I’m a sinner saved by grace.” What blasphemy! A true Baptist is not a sinner saved by grace, which is nothing but an oxymoron; a true Baptist is a man who once was a sinner but who has been saved by grace.

1 Cor. 6:9. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
10. nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
11. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (NASB, 1995)

 

Actually I know plenty of Baptist who are very quick to condemn and what really upsets me is that some of these are family members. I think too often we shun those who aren't Christians and judge them without even thinking about it. I don't know if it's out of fear or out of misunderstanding. Instead we need to be patient with these people, pray for them, and show them how fun life is as a Christian! That just as easily could have been one of us in their shoes. I haven't always been living the Christian life. If it hadn't of been for a non-judgemental and very patient friend I may have never found my way back.

 

Baptists are human and have made mistakes just like every one else. However, the words of Jesus Christ put things into perspective.

"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

 

PIE-YOW!
Or in laymans terms, Amen Circuit!

In HIS service;
Jim

 

It has been some time since I met a man who hated Christians because they emulated the life of Christ. But almost everyday I deal with men who hate Christians because their lives do NOT emulate the life of Christ. When was the last time that any of you saw a Christian being persecuted for righteousness? For me, it has been a VERY long time. And when was the last time that you saw a Christian being persecuted for living like the devil and calling himself a Baptist? For me, it hasn’t been long at all.