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Paige Patterson

Speedpass

Active Member
Site Supporter
What bothers me most about Paige Patterson is that he and Paul Pressler are still trying to influence what goes on in every facet of SBC life--including deciding who can run as the sole candidate for President of the Convention every other year. Will there ever be another convention like 1994's where two equally conservative candidates ran? :confused:
tear.gif
:eek: :mad:
:(
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by Rev. Joshua:
UnashamedYouth - you can still be baptist and not be Southern Baptist. There are many of us who are refugees from what Dr. Patterson and his crew did to our seminaries and our Convention (boy that sounds weird to say - I haven't thought of it as my convention in almost 20 years).

Joshua
I'm well aware of the many inner-denomination in the Baptist Denominations... I may be 17... but I'm aware of my surroundings

[ September 07, 2002, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: UnashamedYouth ]
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
I bet this is the wrong time to say that My Pastor is on the executive board of the SBC and that he stands STRONGLY behind Dr. Patterson's views? ;)
I won't hold that against you!

A former pastor of mine was the head of the Executive Committee for a couple of years during the reorganization. I'm not guilty of that just because I know him.


quite frankly if you're not for Dr. Patterson I feel you're against the SBC...
No, that's too simplistic. A better way to put it is if you're not for Paige Patterson, then you're not for the so-called "conservative resurgence" and all the lies, meanness and ungodliness associated with that political takeover.

Not that I have an opinion or anything... ;)

He's the one who got them BACK on the RIGHT TRACK...
He got the SBC headed toward an IBF-style position -- except with a much stronger central control structure and only one quarter of the civility in disputes. That's not really the way the SBC used to be so it is not really very "conservative" historically and it certainly isn't a "resurgence".

and I hope to God that it stays that way until Christ's return!
When Christ returns, He will straighten all of us out.

For the record, I'm not saying that Paige Patterson is not personable when you are perceived as a friend. I'm not saying he's a bad preacher either. I've heard him preach in person on several occasions, and he can get people worked up. He tells more truth than anything else from the pulpit, but he has had a history of slandering people and using guilt by association tactics to get his way. He started a movement with Judge Pressler of Houston to take over the SBC, and he has been extremely successful (in human terms) in his efforts. He has led and bred a generation of fighting Baptists who cry "liberal" at anyone who does not go along with the political agenda. I have seen the fruits of this revolution in SBC life firsthand. I have seen people's lives damaged by unwarranted slander and half-truths spoken in the name of God. It's ungodly. It is wrong. Paige Patterson was one of the instigators and he must share a large portion of the blame.

[/off the soapbox]
</font>[/QUOTE]Um... can I ask for specifics... this is so general that I can't tell if they're fairy tales or not?

Unless you can give me something that I can check it's just your opinion... OTHER'S opinions... and some very juicy gossip topics. Give me something I can look into

until that time you're just doing what you accuse Patterson of doing... slandering a good man's name.
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by go2church:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />quite frankly if you're not for Dr. Patterson I feel you're against the SBC.
I don't know if I should laugh or cry. This is one of the most human-centered, pastor-worship statements that I have ever heard. Hey, here is a thought, how about following Jesus instead of someone more interested in power and control</font>[/QUOTE]Laugh and cry away... I'm sure God is just as amused and hurt by this as you

but not for my comments.

[ September 07, 2002, 12:24 AM: Message edited by: UnashamedYouth ]
 

Alliswell

New Member


Unashamed Youth,

Paige Patterson would be the first to direct you away from himself to Jesus as He is revealed in the Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:12, 'Yes, and all who will live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Speaking of slander and persecution: who is doing it here?

Some of the guests who read these posts may be desperately seeking Salvation and instead are reading your insults and slander.

Which Southern Baptists started slandering Bible Believers back in the 1960's, calling us "Bible Worshippers" and "Bibliolitars"?Treating us as uneducated and ignorant because we believe God created a man named Adam and his wife Eve.

We also believed Lot's wife was encapsulated in the spewing salts from the Dead Sea as the fire of God fell on Sodom.

We do not believe Abraham got his idea to sacrifice Isaac from the heathen practices roundabout.

We do believe a great fish swallowed Jonah.

And our youth were not sent to Southwestern to study all the German 'Higher Critics' that made them doubt the Word of God that they had loved since childhood.

We didn't send our youth to Baylor to be taught that the Founding Fathers were all deists who taught that God takes no active part in the affairs of men.

Nor to sit in a religion class taught by a a Mormon professor, who must have 'academic freedom' in a school paid for by Baptist's who expected that their young people would receive a Bible Based education.

Dr. Patterson should be jumping for joy right now because that's what Jesus told us to do when we are presecuted for righteousness' sake.

Judge Pressler, too!

By the way, neither of them were on the committee that researched the Scriptures and came up with the wording of the Baptist Faith and Message, which led the Baptist General Convention of Texas to defund our Seminaries who use it as a benchmark.

Those of you who are not Southern Baptists can read it and print it at:

http://www.sbc.net

Click on the left 'Statement of Faith'.

There is a long list of Scriptures following each topic, to show where it came from in the Bible.

Our church studied it on Wednesday nights alongside the 1963 Version, and heartily approved of the new one which gives more clarity to some points and adds the Scriptural definition of a family, which was not an issue back in 1963.

The 1999 session of SBC asked Dr. Patterson to appoint a committee to do the work of the updated statement of faith and explained why it was needed.

He felt an obligation to the Lord to appoint those who believe His word from around the SBC to submit the updated to the convention.

I did not see Judge Pressler's name on the committee.

Shalom :D

Alli
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by FearNot:
Baptist Believer,
can I ask you a few questions?
You just asked me one so I guess it's possible.


Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, innerant and infallible?
Ah, the code words... I'm not going to use your code words because they may have a different meaning to you than me. Let me say this:

1.) As for "inspired" -&gt; Scripture (the Old and New Testament -- no Apochrypha) is God-breathed (inspired if you *really* want to use the term) and is the written standard for Christian doctrine, faith and practice. Jesus is the living standard for faith and practice. The Jesus and the Bible are not in conflict.

2.) As for "Word of God" -&gt; Jesus is the Word of God (see the first chapter of the Gospel of John) and the Bible is the record of the Word and words of God. The Bible is written revelation, but is not the only revelation. The Holy Spirit works today revealing the truth of God to humankind and usually uses the scriptures in the process. I am convinced from the scriptures themselves that salvation is not dependant upon the Bible.

3.) As for "inerrant" -&gt; I do not think that God ever errs in His revelation. The Bible is a fully reliable guide to faith and practice, although people often misinterpret the Bible.

4.) As for "infallible" -&gt; God's revelation does not fail.

Do you find that Scripturally a women can hold the role as Pastor?
My views have changed a fair amount during the last 18 years. I used to be very much against women in vocational ministry because I honestly thought the Bible taught that view. It was reinforced when I a woman came to my college to preach on why women should be preachers. She was so incredibly hostile to men and the apostle Paul that I *knew* I was right. (For the record, some of the faculty supported women in ministry and they were aghast at her "performance".)

About 10 years ago I started studying the issue again because a female friend of mine sensed the calling to vocational ministry and she was theologically opposed to women in vocational ministry! I began studying too and came to the conclusion that there was no theological obstacle to women entering vocational ministry. She is now involved in chaplaincy.

My views on the subject are skillfully explored in the chapter, "Paul and the Eschatological Woman" from the book, "Pauline Theology: Ministry and Society" by E. Earle Ellis.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761806121/qid=1031431851/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/104-8575649-2825511?v=glance&s=books&n=2

Unfortunately the book is out of print and the paperbacks like I have are in great demand. As a further note, Dr. Ellis recently retired after teaching at Southwestern Seminary. (I'm not sure if he could have signed the latest BF&M statement.) He is widely respected as a Pauline scholar worldwide and Ken Hemphill and the trustees at Southwestern did not see any need to get rid of him. He is also a member of our church.

To answer your question directly -- If God calls a woman to pastor a church, there are no scriptural reasons why she cannot. I believe God calls women to pastor and I don't think Paul believed they were not eligible. But I don't think a man or a woman is eligible to pastor unless God calls that person to the position.

What is your personal doctrine (in a nut shell)?
My doctrine does not easily compress into nut-sized portions, but I have a great appreciation for the statement made by Will Campbell about his beliefs:

"We are all [illegitimate children], but God loves us anyway."

NOTE: The statement was edited for the more gentle readers of Baptist Board. Campbell originally used the harsher word for illegitimate son to make the point.

I don't know you personally or your church so without the information about you or your beliefs I am unable to say why you might be seen as a liberal or moderate.
Well I am not on staff at the church and I can make no claims for the theology of the church. We believe along the lines of the 1963 BF&M and have some liberal members and some more fundamental members. We get along as a family of God in unity with great diversity. Probably the most divisive thing we do that bothers some of the more "conservative" local churches is that women can serve as deacons in our church. (NOTE: Deacons at our church are servants, not a board of elders.) Since we have a New Testament example of Phoebe as a deacon, why should we not ask women to participate in the serving ministry of the church?
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
Um... can I ask for specifics... this is so general that I can't tell if they're fairy tales or not?
I'm not sure what you are asking specifics for... It is widely known (never a secret) that Patterson campaigned in the churches. I think Judge Pressler's book "A Hill on Which to Die" might detail some of it.

As for people being used as fodder for the "conservative resurgence" many of the cases have been widely reported. I will not discuss anything I know that has not been publicly reported, but there is no shortage of examples. I know of most of the events surrounding Southwestern Seminary and faculty (an eyewitness to some of them) so I can talk in detail about some of those incidents. For instance, you can research the firing of Russell Dilday and the carnival of lies surrounding that event.

I will be happy to discuss that one with you.
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by Alliswell:

Paige Patterson would be the first to direct you away from himself to Jesus as He is revealed in the Word of God.
I never said I worshiped Dr. Patterson. I said he was a great guy who I look up to and respect.

you make me sound like I bow down and kiss this guys feet. I don't.
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
Um... can I ask for specifics... this is so general that I can't tell if they're fairy tales or not?
I'm not sure what you are asking specifics for... It is widely known (never a secret) that Patterson campaigned in the churches. I think Judge Pressler's book "A Hill on Which to Die" might detail some of it.

As for people being used as fodder for the "conservative resurgence" many of the cases have been widely reported. I will not discuss anything I know that has not been publicly reported, but there is no shortage of examples. I know of most of the events surrounding Southwestern Seminary and faculty (an eyewitness to some of them) so I can talk in detail about some of those incidents. For instance, you can research the firing of Russell Dilday and the carnival of lies surrounding that event.

I will be happy to discuss that one with you.
</font>[/QUOTE]Send them my way... I have a good friend of Dr. Patterson's as my pastor... he can find out the truth real quick....
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
For instance, you can research the firing of Russell Dilday and the carnival of lies surrounding that event.

I will be happy to discuss that one with you.
Send them my way... I have a good friend of Dr. Patterson's as my pastor... he can find out the truth real quick....</font>[/QUOTE]Um, okay. Let's deal with something really basic that doesn't even concern a person but a situation:

Why did they change the locks on Dr. Dilday's door while he was in the meeting where the trustees fired him?

I want to warn you, some of the decisionmakers have already spoken of it publicly and I heard yet another explanation from Ken Hemphill in a private meeting in his office where i discussed the incident. Unfortunately it is hard to believe any "official" explanation I have heard. What is your friend's story?
 

Dr. Bob

Administrator
Administrator
Could have saved everyone reading through 4 pages of this nonsense some time and trouble.

Historic fundamental baptists would be pretty much appreciative of Paige

Moderate (read liberal but we don't want to offend them because some genuinely feel they are NOT liberal) baptists would think poorly of him.

I personally wish that liberal Baptists would just be honest and LEAVE THE BAPTIST NAME to those who will happily stand for the Bible, inerrancy, pro-life, anti-sodomite, etc etc that we always have stood for.

Appreciate the movement in the SBC for folks to LEAVE and get another name/group. Quit roiling and muddying the waters and have the honesty to call yourself by another name.

Up north a lot of the General Conference Baptists and American (Northern) Baptist churches are dropping "baptist" from their name. Hallelujah!

[Okay, guess I'm a little cranky this evening, but just feel like cutting to the chase.] :cool:
 

FearNot

New Member
ALliswell, very well said.

Baptistbeliever, well, from your outlook of the Bible, interpretation and doctrine you should be able to tell why you are seen as liberal in your theology. Some of the things you said I can't say they are completely inaccurate, but I wouldn't say I fully agree either.

I do not worship the Bible, yet I use it as a tool. It was provided by God. If what we do is the opposite of what Scripture says, then we are going a different path than God commands. I have to disagree that Paul does not allow for Women pastors. I read in Scripture his statements are right out there bold. You would have to do alot of revisions to change it. I would also chance to say most liberals will agree that what Paul says is pretty straight forward, that is why they don't like him and try to discredit his writibgs.

Thank you for being upfront and sharing your thoughts and beliefs. I hope we have chance to discuss like this more often. I find discussions are always easier when people eliminate the insults. I believe in honesty, and will be frank sometimes, but I try not to be a mud thrower.

God bless
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by FearNot:
Baptistbeliever, well, from your outlook of the Bible, interpretation and doctrine you should be able to tell why you are seen as liberal in your theology. Some of the things you said I can't say they are completely inaccurate, but I wouldn't say I fully agree either.
I think the reason some people see me as liberal in theology is that they pin a label of "liberal" on anyone who believes differently than they do so they won't have to pay attention to what the other person says. I don't use the code words (purposely) and I try to be biblical about women in ministry and people don't like it.

What do you think I am not "completely inaccurate" about?

I do not worship the Bible, yet I use it as a tool. It was provided by God.
I agree. That's an excellent position.

If what we do is the opposite of what Scripture says, then we are going a different path than God commands.
True. I agree.

I have to disagree that Paul does not allow for Women pastors. I read in Scripture his statements are right out there bold. You would have to do alot of revisions to change it. I would also chance to say most liberals will agree that what Paul says is pretty straight forward, that is why they don't like him and try to discredit his writibgs.
Have you actually read Earle Ellis's writing on Paul and women or a you just assuming you know what it means or that it is wrong? His writing has been criticized by those of a more liberal persuasion because it deals only with what the scripture actually says instead of taking into account the contemporary situation. As I pointed out before, Earle Ellis was theologically correct enough to teach at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary until just about two years ago (he retired) and the book I mentioned was published in 1989 -- five years before Southwestern Seminary was place under hard-line "conservative resurgence" control. He stayed on with the "conservative resurgence" crowd and Ken Hemphill without a problem. Why is it when I say that he represents my view on the issue that I am suddenly a "liberal"?

Certainly men and women of goodwill with a similar committment to the scriptures will understand the issue of women in ministry differently, but this is hardly the dividing point between what is allegedly "liberal" and what is "conservative".
 

UnashamedYouth

New Member
Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
For instance, you can research the firing of Russell Dilday and the carnival of lies surrounding that event.

I will be happy to discuss that one with you.
Send them my way... I have a good friend of Dr. Patterson's as my pastor... he can find out the truth real quick....</font>[/QUOTE]Um, okay. Let's deal with something really basic that doesn't even concern a person but a situation:

Why did they change the locks on Dr. Dilday's door while he was in the meeting where the trustees fired him?

I want to warn you, some of the decisionmakers have already spoken of it publicly and I heard yet another explanation from Ken Hemphill in a private meeting in his office where i discussed the incident. Unfortunately it is hard to believe any "official" explanation I have heard. What is your friend's story?
</font>[/QUOTE]I dunno what my pastor's take on this was... like I said he's still part of the Executive Board for the SBC... is good friends with Paige

and from what I understand, Pastor Dean took the link I sent him and from what dad says he seems to think it's funny that I got this sort of surprise... he witnesses this crap all the time
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by UnashamedYouth:
I dunno what my pastor's take on this was... like I said he's still part of the Executive Board for the SBC... is good friends with Paige
My guess is that he would be generally supportive of firing Dilday. I have no idea if he would approve of the way it was done or would condone the lies surrounding the event. (Of course he may not realize that lies were told, so we all need to be careful about judging that aspect.)

and from what I understand, Pastor Dean took the link I sent him and from what dad says he seems to think it's funny that I got this sort of surprise... he witnesses this crap all the time
I don't know what to make of this statement. Does he think it is funny that someone is opposed to what is called the "conservative resurgence" or something else?

I appreciate your fair and honest attitude.
 
I just came across this thread. I am probably the only contributing former Southern Baptist who likes Paige Patterson (as I have joined the GARBC, a more Fundamentalist denomination). I have never had the pleasure of meeting him or hearing him preach, but I have read a few articles by him, and based on that and what else I have heard of him, I think he is right on.

Originally posted by BibleboyII:
You claim that Southeastern was never liberal. The test for that claim would be to examine the doctrines that are being taught at the new "Baptist" seminary in Richmond, VA, which is where the majority of former Southeastern Professors went following the arrival of Dr. Patterson as President. By the way, they all left of their own accord. No former Southeastern Professor was fired by Dr. Patterson. Anyway, what are the students in Richmond being taught about the innerrantcy of Scriputre, the Deity of Christ, the miracles of the Bible, the sin of homosexuality, etc.? Also, how would you explain the unholy activities and false teachings that were once openly tolerated at Southeastern, which I outlined above, and the amonut of sinful material that was found hidden in some of the campus buildings. Please don't respond with a "Conservative Conspiracy Theory." ;)
To get a better idea of what is going on at the "Baptist" seminary in Richmond and what was very likely going on at Southeastern, follow these links to Baptist Press articles:
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10938
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10937
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10935

Southeastern was not the only seminary plagued by such problems. The former pastor of the Southern Baptist church I used to be a member of could tell you quite a few blood-curdling stories about the New Orleans seminary during the days that it was being held in the liberal death-grip. It has now, like Southeastern, been cleaned up, and the aforementioned pastor is now one of its trustees. Like BibleBoyII mentioned about his professor source, I do not have permission to reveal the name of my trustee source.

[ September 08, 2002, 11:21 PM: Message edited by: A Fiery Fundamentalist ]
 

blackbird

Active Member
If it weren't for folks like Brother Patterson and company--doing what they started out to do in the mid-80's--I'm convinced that it wouldn't have been long to where the preachers showed up to preach with paper bags over their heads--preaching to people with paper bags over their heads every Sunday--just like the loyal fans of the New Orleans Saints do!

Your friend,
Blackbird
 

Baptist Believer

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Originally posted by A Fiery Fundamentalist:
To get a better idea of what is going on at the "Baptist" seminary in Richmond and what was very likely going on at Southeastern, follow these links to Baptist Press articles:

<a href="http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10938" target="_blank">[/URL]

http://http://http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10937

</a>
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=10935
Baptist Press is not a reliable source of information for any group the leaders of the SBC oppose.
 
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