Chris,
Thank you for that information. You have already shared the accusation that they worship "Mother God". Longing to hold true to Biblical teaching, I chose to confront the President of the CBF, Daniel Vestal, privately and give him a chance to respond to the accusations instead of speculating and gossiping behind his back. Here is the initial e-mail from me and the response from Daniel Vestal in full:
Joseph, thanks for the letter. Let me assure you that CBF is committed to the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is written in our mission statement. It is evident in our gatherings when we worship. I was in every service in Atlanta and not once was there a reference to "goddess" worship.
I do know that Baptist Press reported on the Baptist Women in Ministry meeting, which was auxiliary to CBF. There are over 50 auxiliary meetings at our General Assembly. I was not at the BWIM meeting, but was told that one speaker referenced God as being like a father and mother (Isaiah 66:13). The Baptist Press reporter then turned the remarks into something that was not at all what was said. I have talked to a number of women present and they were very upset by the false reporting of their meeting.
I hope this helps clarify. Again, let me assure you that CBF is healthy and viable in its witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Daniel Vestal
>>> "Joseph Botwinick" <jgbotwinick@msn.com> 07/05/01 04:22PM >>>
Hello,
My name is Joseph Botwinick and I consider myself to be a moderate Baptist. I have always seen myself as having leanings toward the CBF view of things, but recently, have heard some disturbing reports concerning the organization. It has been reported that at the most recent convention in Atlanta, that your group encouraged goddess worship and and prayed prayers to "Mother God". Would you please clarify if this is true or if it is a misunderstanding? If it is a misunderstanding, would you please make very clear where the CBF stands on this issue? I want to stand in defence of the truth, but if this is where the CBF is going, I can't stand behind that. I do not feel very comfortable in the ultra extreme conservativism of the SBC. But I also do not feel comfortable at the ultra extreme liberal end of the convention. I tend to think that there are probably many people who feel like I do and are looking, but feel disenfranchised by both extremes.
Sincerely,
Joseph Botwinick
This seems to show that there is an inconsistency between what Baptist Press reported (You don't always beleive everything the media reports do you?) and whatt the CBF itself claims to have been the situation. Is there any other evidence that this accusation is true? Do you have a transcript of the meeting that we could look at and see for ourselves?
As to the other links, I haven't had a chance to look at them yet, but, I will. I will also continue to investigate the accusations to asscertain the validity of these reports. If I find discrepancies, I will ask for more evidence. If I am not provided with irrefutable proof, I am not going to condemn something that I am not sure about.
Joseph
