A case in point, and please no one take offense at this, 75 years ago, if this forum would have been possible, we wouldn't have nearly all of the differences in theology that is represented now.
Is that right? One of the biggest theological differences among 'Baptists' 75 years ago was the pre-, post-, and a- millenial positions. It still is here. Another one was the status of women in the church and in public life, as well as in the home. It still is here. Another was how Baptist churches should associate with each other-- conventions, associations, unofficial cooperation, or not at all. That one still is here. And then whether Baptist bodies need "statements of faith," and if so what should they include. That issue is still around, and is here in this forum. I don't know whether using the American Standard Bible or the RSV were big issues among Baptists 75 years ago-- likely not, since there is little to be read about it. But this just shows that the KJV can be the only translation among the large majority and there will still be differences in doctrine and practice, and conflicts which lead to split churches, new churches or associations.
You used to know what to expect from a church that had the name "Baptist" on the sign. Now you can't know for sure until you get inside and hear the preacher.
That was and is true in a general way, but it was never as clear as you indicate.
That's why I say that the enemy threw a wrench in the works somewhere. This wrench has been effective to halt the forward progress of the church. The church today is more worldly than the world was when I got saved in 1976.
There seems to be an indefinite meaning in your phrase "more wordly than the world." It seems utter nonsense, though. In 1976 people could still smoke in most public places, for example. What churches today-- or any time-- have allowed smoking during a service or even inside {Baptists, of course, simply have shrugged off smoking outside the building}. By 1976 [snip] and [snip] had made it into primetime television and lurid profanity had become accepted by the "wordly" in more than just 'locker room talk.' That is still not the case in any churches I know about.
Is that the fault of the Modern Versions? I don't know, maybe. For me, I've chosen to use the Bible that was used during the Great Awakening and the Revivals of our early history.
You have chosen to use the Bible that used by those who imprisoned and tortured the reformers, including Baptists. You have chosen to use the Bible of James and Charles of the Scottish Stuarts who claimed a "divine right" to rule 2 countries and one church, simultaneously and without opposition {which by this theory was opposition against God}. You have chosen to use the Bible which was the "authorized" Bible of the American corollary of the one Anglican church in Virginia, the challenge against which became a model for free churches in a free society.
That's my opinion
No kiddin'?
[ August 12, 2002, 10:55 PM: Message edited by: TomVols ]