Irenic Conservatives Had Better Wake Up and Let Their Voices Be Heard
Last night I spoke to Dwight McKissic.
He gave me permission to tell you about it. I will not give you all the details of the conversation, but I feel you need to know the reason for the call.
Dwight had requested I give him a call because he was troubled -- deeply troubled. When I reached him in his office I found his tone soft and his spirit heavy. Dwight's wife was with him. He put me on the speaker phone so she could hear the conversation. They felt I might know what they were going through.
Dwight was ready to quit.
This pastor of a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Texas Convention no longer felt welcome in the Southern Baptist Convention.
He had just sat through his first trustee meeting at SWBTS where white papers were distributed that in effect defined who was welcome at Southwestern in terms of a private prayer language.
Dwight McKissic, a conservative Southern Baptist pastor, a leader in the African American Christian community, a man who believes the Bible from cover to cover and affirms the BFM 2000 found out that he was not welcome at SWBTS.
The narrowing of the definition of what it means to be a Southern Baptist continues to occur.
Bear in mind that what happened at SWBTS yesterday is not a Southern Baptist Convention action. It is an institutional action.
Bear in mind as well that when the press releases are issued today regarding the action taken at the SWBTS trustee meeting there will be people who say, "Southern Baptist institutions can do as their trustees please."
That's true, but as I discovered when I opposed doctrinal policies and guidelines at the IMB that I felt went beyond the convention doctrinal statement (the 2000 BFM) --- not to mention the Bible --- I was told, "But the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has already passed a similar policy!"
It's as if the narrowing occurs slowly, one agency at a time, until people say, "It can't be wrong because everybody's doing it."
As I've said on many occasions I do not have a private prayer language, but I sure don't mind having in SBC leadership or on the mission field those Southern Baptists who do --- particularly since the Bible says we are not to forbid it (I Cor. 14:39).
I would consider myself an irenic conservative.
I don't mind people in leadership in any of our agencies who have a continualist view of the gifts. I would oppose the forced resignation, termination or attrition through non-promotion of those who have a private prayer language. I oppose restricting the service of God-called Southern Baptists simply because they have a gift of the Spirit that I don't possess.
Most of all, I oppose the demand that everyone conform to a particular doctrinal interpretation that goes beyond the BFM 2000. Once we start down this slippery slope of doctrinal conformity it will not stop until everyone who happens to disagree with those in control are ultimately excluded.
Fellow peace-loving, conservative Southern Baptists who believe the Bible and who can work with other conservatives who also believe the Bible but interpet some passages differently, had better wake up.
We are dying as a convention.
It is not a sudden death. It is slow and tortuous. We keep defining who is and who is not a 'true' Southern Baptist, and we continue to exclude conservative evangelical Southern Baptists who believe the Bible completely, but don't see eye to eye on different interpretations of the sacred text.
We are on the verge of collapsing from within. If we don't stop this narrowing of the parameters of cooperation and fellowship we will end up a small sect within fundamentalist Christianity. I am beginning to believe that some would not mind if that occurred.
Not for a minute do I believe this is the desire of the majority of Southern Baptists, but it's now time for voices that have been silent to be heard.
There are some of us in trustee positions who are now saying, "Enough is enough! We must allow for differences, we must appreciate one another's uniqueness, and we must not divide in fellowship and cooperation over doctrines that are not essential to the faith."
However, those of us who are trying to stop the doctrinal narrowing within our convention are now being called the problem.
Dwight McKissic was told by some yesterday that he was the problem.
He has been asked by a few SWBTS trustees to resign "for the sake of unity."
Dwight loves the SBC. He is not a trouble maker. He is shocked at the strong reaction (what he would call 'overreaction') of those who have risen to speak against him, or those like him.
Now it's time for Dwight to hear from those support him.
Dwight. Don't resign.
You can't.
Southern Baptists need you.
The kingdom of Christ needs you.
We appreciate your gracious spirit. We affirm your love for the Word of God. We join you in your desire to reach your community, yes the world, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We admire your strong stand for truth.
Dwight McKissic, don't step down.
You are not the problem. You are not the cause of division.
You are part of the solution for healing in the SBC.
Perhaps you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this.
Make no mistake. The people who are seeking to exclude people like Dwight are the ones DEMANDING that everyone interprets the Bible the way they do. Irenic conservatives are at peace with their conservative brothers in Christ who disagree.
We must work hard to remain a convention where all evangelical conservative Baptists who believe the Bible are welcome to participate and cooperate in every aspect of convention ministry.
We are losing future leaders by the hundreds in the SBC because of our demand for doctrinal conformity on third tier doctrines. There is time for healing to occur, but we must act quickly. Will you be a part of the healing process?
Why don't you take a moment and write a note, or leave a comment to let Dwight, his wife, his family, and his church know that there are thousands of Southern Baptists who are glad to call them friends and fellow Southern Baptists.
You may reach him at . . .
Rev. Dwight McKissic
Cornerstone Baptist Church
5415 Matlock Road
Arlington, TX 76018
Phone: 817-468-0083
Fax: 817-468-0309
Email: cbc1983@airmail.net
Or you may leave a comment here. Dwight doesn't have a blog, but his daughter will copy the comments for him to read.
Dr. McKissic's passionate and articulate response to the narrowing of the doctrinal parameters of cooperation at SWBTS and other agencies is here.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
He gave me permission to tell you about it. I will not give you all the details of the conversation, but I feel you need to know the reason for the call.
Dwight had requested I give him a call because he was troubled -- deeply troubled. When I reached him in his office I found his tone soft and his spirit heavy. Dwight's wife was with him. He put me on the speaker phone so she could hear the conversation. They felt I might know what they were going through.
Dwight was ready to quit.
This pastor of a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Texas Convention no longer felt welcome in the Southern Baptist Convention.
He had just sat through his first trustee meeting at SWBTS where white papers were distributed that in effect defined who was welcome at Southwestern in terms of a private prayer language.
Dwight McKissic, a conservative Southern Baptist pastor, a leader in the African American Christian community, a man who believes the Bible from cover to cover and affirms the BFM 2000 found out that he was not welcome at SWBTS.
The narrowing of the definition of what it means to be a Southern Baptist continues to occur.
Bear in mind that what happened at SWBTS yesterday is not a Southern Baptist Convention action. It is an institutional action.
Bear in mind as well that when the press releases are issued today regarding the action taken at the SWBTS trustee meeting there will be people who say, "Southern Baptist institutions can do as their trustees please."
That's true, but as I discovered when I opposed doctrinal policies and guidelines at the IMB that I felt went beyond the convention doctrinal statement (the 2000 BFM) --- not to mention the Bible --- I was told, "But the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has already passed a similar policy!"
It's as if the narrowing occurs slowly, one agency at a time, until people say, "It can't be wrong because everybody's doing it."
As I've said on many occasions I do not have a private prayer language, but I sure don't mind having in SBC leadership or on the mission field those Southern Baptists who do --- particularly since the Bible says we are not to forbid it (I Cor. 14:39).
I would consider myself an irenic conservative.
I don't mind people in leadership in any of our agencies who have a continualist view of the gifts. I would oppose the forced resignation, termination or attrition through non-promotion of those who have a private prayer language. I oppose restricting the service of God-called Southern Baptists simply because they have a gift of the Spirit that I don't possess.
Most of all, I oppose the demand that everyone conform to a particular doctrinal interpretation that goes beyond the BFM 2000. Once we start down this slippery slope of doctrinal conformity it will not stop until everyone who happens to disagree with those in control are ultimately excluded.
Fellow peace-loving, conservative Southern Baptists who believe the Bible and who can work with other conservatives who also believe the Bible but interpet some passages differently, had better wake up.
We are dying as a convention.
It is not a sudden death. It is slow and tortuous. We keep defining who is and who is not a 'true' Southern Baptist, and we continue to exclude conservative evangelical Southern Baptists who believe the Bible completely, but don't see eye to eye on different interpretations of the sacred text.
We are on the verge of collapsing from within. If we don't stop this narrowing of the parameters of cooperation and fellowship we will end up a small sect within fundamentalist Christianity. I am beginning to believe that some would not mind if that occurred.
Not for a minute do I believe this is the desire of the majority of Southern Baptists, but it's now time for voices that have been silent to be heard.
There are some of us in trustee positions who are now saying, "Enough is enough! We must allow for differences, we must appreciate one another's uniqueness, and we must not divide in fellowship and cooperation over doctrines that are not essential to the faith."
However, those of us who are trying to stop the doctrinal narrowing within our convention are now being called the problem.
Dwight McKissic was told by some yesterday that he was the problem.
He has been asked by a few SWBTS trustees to resign "for the sake of unity."
Dwight loves the SBC. He is not a trouble maker. He is shocked at the strong reaction (what he would call 'overreaction') of those who have risen to speak against him, or those like him.
Now it's time for Dwight to hear from those support him.
Dwight. Don't resign.
You can't.
Southern Baptists need you.
The kingdom of Christ needs you.
We appreciate your gracious spirit. We affirm your love for the Word of God. We join you in your desire to reach your community, yes the world, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We admire your strong stand for truth.
Dwight McKissic, don't step down.
You are not the problem. You are not the cause of division.
You are part of the solution for healing in the SBC.
Perhaps you have come into the kingdom for such a time as this.
Make no mistake. The people who are seeking to exclude people like Dwight are the ones DEMANDING that everyone interprets the Bible the way they do. Irenic conservatives are at peace with their conservative brothers in Christ who disagree.
We must work hard to remain a convention where all evangelical conservative Baptists who believe the Bible are welcome to participate and cooperate in every aspect of convention ministry.
We are losing future leaders by the hundreds in the SBC because of our demand for doctrinal conformity on third tier doctrines. There is time for healing to occur, but we must act quickly. Will you be a part of the healing process?
Why don't you take a moment and write a note, or leave a comment to let Dwight, his wife, his family, and his church know that there are thousands of Southern Baptists who are glad to call them friends and fellow Southern Baptists.
You may reach him at . . .
Rev. Dwight McKissic
Cornerstone Baptist Church
5415 Matlock Road
Arlington, TX 76018
Phone: 817-468-0083
Fax: 817-468-0309
Email: cbc1983@airmail.net
Or you may leave a comment here. Dwight doesn't have a blog, but his daughter will copy the comments for him to read.
Dr. McKissic's passionate and articulate response to the narrowing of the doctrinal parameters of cooperation at SWBTS and other agencies is here.
In His Grace,
Wade Burleson
posted by Wade Burleson | Tuesday, October 17, 2006
85 Comments:
"Dwight McKissic was told by some yesterday that he was the problem.
He has been asked by a few SWBTS trustees to resign "'for the sake of unity.'"
This sounds so familiar... and familiar to all of us in ministry. Wade, thank you for posting this. We will be praying for Dwight.
Also, thank you for once again expressing our dire need and dire condition as Southern Baptists. I am right there with you!
David Cowan - lowercasechurch.com
Dwight McKissic is not the problem. He said some time ago he had thought about leaving and taking his church out of the SBC. Why would that be? Politics? Powers that will not receivr his non-cessationist viewpoint?
Now its out in the open. Everyone knows it and it appears Dr. McKissic has a backbone of steel too and not only speaks what God gives him but refuses to stop.
I belive SBC life as we know it is at a crossroads. It cannot survive like this any longer
No more top-down management, controling everything. No more selfish agandas. call in the auditors and watch the finances in a real way, lets require the agencies to be accountable.
I believe God is actually tearing all this down. But, is he tearing it down to rebuild? Or just tearing it down?
This entity called the SBC needs to repent. Repent of being proud and arrogant Thinking we have the whole truth and others only have a smaller portion of it. Repent of thinking that we are more spiritual that other parts of the body, Repent of taking scripture out of context and using it to slay our brothers and sisters.
God is looking for people of heart.
I'm concerned we're showing him religios fundamentalist, evangelical, I know better than you because I only read KJV.
Come Lord Jesus and deliver us.
Tear down everything and burn everything that is ungodly and raising itself against the kingdom and let us join you in building the kingdom with you. Give us agape for one another that we can really think more highly of others more than ourselves, for in these things we bring glory and honor to you, Father God.
I pray for Dwight McKissic, his family, I pray for Wade Burleson and his family, I pray for Ben Cole and his family, I pray for David Rogers. Father, in the difficult times I ask that you give them vision, covering and boldness to finish and complete the calling you have for them.
I pray that the power of the Holy Spirit will be on them and inside them working with them in their journeys, directing them clearly.
I pray that you send them helpers. Men who are willing to serve and help them. I pray that the convenant that grows with and around all these men will be of you and will not be broken.
Father, I petition you in great confidence, because I petition you in the mighty and lovely name of Jesus your son and Amen.
Wow.
I read on Ben Cole's site the statement that Pagie Patterson gave to the SWBTS trustees.
?????????
Please Dr. McKissic. Don't leave!
You are standing in the gap for those of us who can't say much right now because of our situation. (Work in a Security 3 region)
We're so sorry that you have to go through this, but God knew this was going to happen. He has prepared you for this time.
We are praying for you as you seek His will in the matter.
Blessings,
J
Thanks for posting this Wade.
Hey Dwight! Hang in there friend. I am not as concerned about the tougues issue as the way it is fought. Cessationist believe the truth but deny the power thereof. We can not allow them to dictate who is in and who is out. I was baptised a Southern Baptist when I was 12, I was discipled by SB's, I went to a SB university, and I went to the SB school you are a trustee for. I pastored an SB church for four years and have been with the IMB now for 11 years. They (whoever 'they' are) do not tell you what SB's are, I am telling you. We love the Word and we love what it says and we love obeying it. Push against the darkness hard Dwight. Gloom and doom and depression is a lie from the evil one. Read Revelation again- we win. You and me TOGETHER in Christ we win.
Bro. Dwight, I love you as my brother in Christ. Don't quit! Don't give up! I was with you at the SWBTS chapel meeting, and you said nothing wrong. I still can't believe they yanked you off the website. Let us pray for unity in our diversity...and we are diverse because God created us that way. Let us also pray for peace in the convention and SBC institutions. Keep preaching the gospel, my friend!
“Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears or tomorrow, the Tiber will run red with your blood!’
“The British are coming! The British are coming!
These cries of alarm are no more disturbing than the slow cancer of “doctrinal conformity” with the slogan, “We’ll stand if we have to stand alone!”
The big trouble is more and more standing are told to sit.
Please Lord; unite our hearts to lift up Jesus.
This prayer should resound.
“Fire unsigned missionaries!” makes Jesus cry,
Betrayed soldiers down.
“It’s only politics…not my concern.”
This fable has been around.
Awake, dear brother or you’ll become
Another soldier down.
Dwight McKissic is doomed to be another soldier down. For ever sore toe that Dilday stepped on, McKissic has stepped on ten, and look what the trustees of SWBTS did to Dilday.
In 1998, when Tom Eliff passed the presidency of the SBC to Page Patterson, he said, “All parasites and barnacles had been removed” which prompted this letter to be printed in the Baptist Standard.
A 68-year old ‘barnacle’
I have been a Southern Baptist for 60 of my 68 years. I have been a Sunbeam, G.A., Acteen, and Baptist Woman and have given to and promoted the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong and state missions offerings since I was 6. My dad and brother have been faithful pastors and SBC officers. I have taught S.S. classes for more than 40 years and believe the Bible from cover to cover. I’ve taken food to the grieving, worked in vacation Bible school, the nursery, the kitchen and camps, for starters.
In short I’m the kind of member Brother Tom Elliff would love to have in his church. How dare he call me and my kind a “growth” on the bottom of the “Ship of Zion” to be gotten rid of. May he fall overboard.
Joan Pennington Tallowood Church, Houston
The narrowing of what it means to be Southern Baptist started a long time ago.
Wade and McKissic, welcome to the ‘awaken.’
Rex Ray
I would second Rex Ray's comments. I am one of the barnacles that has clung on because of CP missions. At times it has been difficult to remain a supporter of the SBCP. I would quote General Schwartzkoph in his book, "It Doesn't Take a Hero". He was advised when he was thinking of getting out of the Army because of inept corrupt leadership, If people like you quit, THEY WIN. I wish we had military leadership of his caliber now! Hang in there and see how God uses you.
Wade,
this is an outrage. Plain and simple. We need to strengthen the discriminating authority of the bf&m2000.
if we can demand that our seminaries and agencies not tolerate anything less then the bf&m then we ought to also instruct them to not discriminate beyond it.
Please let Rev. Dwight know that he has been prayed for and will continue to be prayed for by me, my "pentacostal" elder (shhh...don't tell anybody that I have a tongue talker on staff) and our church. Southside is a blended church that sticks with the bf&m2000...which means our arms are wide open to folks who pray in tongues...and we even have one or two cessationist running around here...all together...all worshiping Christ...all serving in harmony. I made our church aware of this when it happened and I will let our leadership know tonight during staff meeting...please let Rev. McKissic know that we will pray for him tonight.
Stand strong, Dwight. Even if they all ask you to step down, it doesn't mean it's from God.
Stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Rev. McKissic:
God anticipated this, as He stuck a verse in the Bible about it:
John 16:1-2: "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. (NIV)
Hang in there. You're not the reason for the controversy. The controversy ... and the problems it reveals ... is the reason you're there.
Brother McKissic - it appears that at some Baptists seminaries they spell the word "unity" as follows:
C-O-N-F-O-R-M-I-T-Y
I really dislike the misuse of words, don't you?
I'll pray for you and those who are maligning you.
Dwight:
You are a man of courage. My heart is heavy for you and with you. I will not ask you to stay in the SBC, as much as she needs you. I will ask you to follow the heart of Jesus. Do what Jesus would have you do, and take courage. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with you. He is on your side. The Word of God is on your side.
Remember the words of Jim Elliot: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
blessings!
Pastor Wade, Thank you for this post...... Pastor McKissic, I will pray for you during this time of persecution. Dont be troubled , dont be heavy at heart. Maybe, just maybe this is your call from GOD to come out of Babylon and the system that is starting to permeate the SBC. Look at the Joshua Convergence, telling us to worship the SBC heroes of the past and give them gratitude. I say, let us worship God and trust only in Him ,not a man made institution that is full of pride.....Trust GOD and be thankfull for this time of persecution.
Dwight,
If your not welcome, then I am not welcome. You are not alone!
This entire issue at SWBTS coupled with last years IMB issue, are examples of a growing willingness of some in the SBC to keep fighting anybody that does not conform to their defintion of what a SB is. This attitude and ongoing infighting is, IMHO, one of the reasons some young pastors and young church plants are basically in name SBC, but in practice non-cooperating in SBC life either in giving or in participation.
This needs to stop. We must address the warring spirit among us. Somehow we need to affirm the BFM as the ONLY guide for cooperation in SBC life or each little entitiy in SBC life will be left to do whats right in their own eyes. Why even have the BFM? I see a growing opinion by some that it is never acceptable to fall beneath its teachings, but it is perfectly acceptable for some to think that they speak for all SB in going beyond its affirmations.
Prayerfully
Timothy Cowin
Rev. Dwight McKissic,
I want to encourage you during this tough time in your life. I have been praying for you. I hope you remain a trustee of SWBTS. We need men like you. Know that I am behind you.
Wade,
I am an optimist by nature, but this last year really makes me wonder where I fit in the SBC. I was always taught that we are the "BODY OF CHRIST." What healthy body cuts off one of it's members? I'm sick.
"As I've said on many occasions I do not have a private prayer language, but I sure don't mind having in SBC leadership or on the mission field those Southern Baptists who do --- particularly since the Bible says we are not to forbid it (I Cor. 14:39)."
...
“Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.” (1 Corinthians 14:39)
In the context of this chapter and compared with Acts 2 Paul is teaching that prophesying is more profitable, but don’t forbid the speaking of foreign languages. There is no application here to a private prayer language, which doesn’t exist, at least not in the Bible.
I am just a "guy in the pews" so I don't know anything about the "machinery" of the SBC. I can't really grasp why some are incrementally chipping away at boundaries of what encompasses the SBC.
I'd be interested to hear those who are trying to exlude pastors such as Dwight McKissic from positions of leadership in SBC agencies lay out their case. It would really help me to understand the issues by hearing a cogent argument that articulates the position that those who hold to a "continualist" position have no place in SBC life.
As I said, I am just a laymen and I don't have any institutional "connections". However, I have paid pretty close attention to this debate for the last year or so. My head may be in the sand on this but I still have never heard a clear statement as to why "continualists" like Dr. McKissic are not welcome in the SBC.
What is even more confusing to me is why people who are "cessationalists" but who tolerate "continualism" are also considered "suspect".
Dwight McKissic is not the problem. We are the problem. We have been uninterested and uninvolved, allowing those with such desires to "take care of that stuff." In so doing we have virtually granted carte blanche control to a few power brokers.
Brother McKissic, please don't give up or give in. You have my apology for my contribution of passivity which allowed such a situation as this to develop in the SBC. You have my prayers. You have my support.
Many years ago, I heard someone ask my old Great-Aunt Kate how she was doing. Her reply was, "Well, I've got one foot in the grave and the other on a bananna peel."
The Southern Baptist Convention is just like my great aunt. In fact, that is why I have one foot still in the SBC, but the other in the CBF: not because I am a raving liberal, or even particularly moderate, but because for years now, the SBC has been narrowing these parameters. And if SBC institutions continue to do this narrowing, there will be more and more who leave, whether to unite with the CBF, some other group, or just to become independent Baptists: not because the theological grass is greener elsewhere, but because we feel useless, disenfranchised, even kicked out of the SBC!
If this continues, the SBC will become a single-party entity; everyone remaining in it will agree and walk in lock-step, have great internal fellowship, even gain some converts. And whether it is a church, a political party, or a government, that is never healthy. And despite the great advances that may be claimed once the single party is in effect, they will actually be less than the percentage population growth. The SBC will be on a road to greater and greater irrelevance, until one day, they look around, and realize they are in the same position that today the Primitive Baptists are in. There are still a few of them around, but they are irrelevant to our culture. They established a theological lock-step, and what happened? They lost their edge, the vitality that diversity can bring (even the Old Testament bears examples of God's will being brought about through conflict between parties, both of whom think they are speaking for God). We can look at the Primitive Baptists and say, "It was so predictable!" but it wasn't in the early to mid-19th Century, when they split from us. Even up until the close of that century, the numbers were about even between the Primitive Baptists and the SBC. And if the SBC continues down the road it is now on, in a hundred years, it too will be a footnote in history, while God's work goes on elsewhere.
You (Wade), Dr. McKissic, and others like you have my support and prayers. And I won't abandon ship; but the ship may well abandon me. At least that's how I feel this morning.
Dwight,
My Brother in our Lord and King Jesus. I pray that His Holy Spirit will fill you to overflowing, that you may strengthened for the task at hand. I pray that our Mighty God will carry you through this time. I believe that He in His Sovereignty has placed you in this position "for such a time as this". Please seek the Father's guidance but my prayer is that His will for you will be to continue to stand in the gap.
Yours in Christ,
Chuck Bryce
Kevin, don't be discouraged! If you even think avbout leaving may the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits daily!
At the time of my previous comment I was not aware of the letter by Dr. McKissic and the statement by Dr. Patterson. I found both of them on Ben Cole's BLOG -- or by following links from Ben Cole's BLOG.
I retract my question about laying out the "cessationist" position. Whether you agree with his statement or not, Dr. Patterson does state the case for his position.
For me the question remains, "Does the recent activity regarding PPL stray sufficiently from 'traditional Baptist practice' that it is tantamount to annexing 'contempary charismatic practices' -- of a Vinyard / Pentecostal strain -- into SBC life?"
I don't see any evidence that "continualist" (i.e. PPL) practices that may be going on in the SBC are moving us to the threshold of becoming the same as Pentecostal or Vinyard groups.
I've now read Dr. Patterson's address to the BoT. I have also read Dr. McKissic's letter in response.
Oh that we would all be as gracious in our disent as Dr. McKissic.
My wife and I have been privileged to study at SWBTS and at NOBTS. It grieves us to see the school which we have loved and appreciated so much become involved in excluding fellow Baptists from participating in its operations. And to think that part of the controversy involves the gifts of the Spirit. I do not believe that God gave these gifts to create divisions within the body, but on the contrary, to help build up the body. Rev. McKissic's open confession of his spiritual gifts and their importance to him, and to his church (and others like them)was sincere and should have been received with rejoicing, rather than rejection.
Here we would like to express our support for him and for those who hold to similar convictions regarding the gifts of the Spirit.
May God openly and dramatically reveal his support for His servant Dwight McKissic.
Milton
I almost did not make it here. Almost, but the voice of God was clear and the politics had to take a back seat even though I knew that at some point it might come back to me. Well now it is time for those who are in my position to stand for what is right. It is difficult being in security 3 place to find a way, but there are many here who support in every way possible people like Dr. McKissic and Wade.
We need more men that will stand in the gap for us. Our prayers will continually lift you up.
Maybe one day we will see the unity of the body that was so dear to the heart of Jesus. All of this has drawn me closer to those of His body who serve alongside me in lifting up Jesus in that foreign land of America.
Thanks for being faithful in all you do.
Africa M
Wade:
Reading this post reminded me of a conversation I had with Bill Leonard in the early 90s, when I was a student at Southern Seminary. At the time, Leonard was a Southern faculty member and a leading voice among SBC moderates.
In this conversation, Leonard observed that the conservative resurgence included both evangelical (e.g. David Dockery) and fundamentalist elements. He said: "Our [the moderates'] conflict is not with the evangelicals but with the fundamentalists." He added: "I believe that when it comes to power and influence, it will be the fundamentalists, not the evangelicals, who control things in the SBC."
Looking to the future, he predicted that if the moderates were out of the picture, the conflict would continue between the evangelicals and fundamentalists within the conservative resurgence.
Interesting....
The character and professional massacare of Sothern Baptist servants began over two decades ago. Many God called and dedicated SBC leaders had their theology, character, and integrity questioned by this same crowd of self-proclaimed "inerrantist" doctrinal police. Their strategy was to discredit and destroy credibility.
Truthofacts is right on target! Dwight, and I would add you Wade, are both doomed to be named among the long list of faithful SBC Soldiers (Lolley, Honeycutt, Dilday, Ferguson, Elder, Cothen, Parks, Tanner, Jackson and many others) who were maliciously attacked and bereated into submission and resignation for being people of truth and integrity.
Wade and Dwight may find strength to fight for a while but like so many stalwarts of SBC denominational life who became the victims of the 1980's P&P (Pressler & Patterson)hit team they'll eventually get to you or just ignore you.
Where are the people who initiated these ungodly and not to mention unchristian character assinations
today? They are SBC leaders in all our institutions and agencies.
They have won! They will not relent until the 2000 BFM CREED (yes, I know it's only a confessional document not binding on any congregation) is not only used for doctrinal conformity they will also eventually amend it to cover all their desires for uniformity.
A portion of the preamble reads... Baptists cherish and defend religious liberty, and deny the right of any secular or religious authority to impose a confession of faith upon a church or body of churches. We honor the principles of soul competency and the priesthood of believers, affirming together both our liberty in Christ and our accountability to each other under the Word of God.
Yeah, and I'm the Tooth Fairy and no one has had to sign on the dotted line!!!!!
Wade and Dwight, God bless your faithfulness, diligence, and love for the SBC. I just happen to believe the SBC you want to rescue disappeared years ago. The so called "Conservative Resurgency" leaders will never loosen the reigns of leadership for the likes of folks who advocate more than one viewpoint, open discussion, dissension, and differing interpretations of scripture.
Wade, do you honestly believe that you, Dwight and others with your kind of servant heart and inclusive spirit have a leadership future or "spiritual home" in this denominational enviornment?
Those of you who have seen my blog (though it has been woefully lacking in posts lately) know that I already have a spiritual identity crisis of sorts regarding denominations...this, quite frankly, doesn't help. If everyone continues to narrow, then what do those of us who fall between the cracks do? start yet another denomination? There are many denominations where I might be accepted, but many of those are moving to the opposite extreme, being TOO accepting, too compromising. Even the ABC, USA, where I first heard the gospel, is drifting into compromise in some areas. Where can I cooperate? Where will I belong in God's family? Bro. McKissic, I pray you stick around. If you do, so will I. Let's make the SBC one of the last safe places for unity WITHOUT compromising the essentials of the faith. If we don't, brother, I don't know where else to go.
In Christ,
Tim Cook
is the prayer language is private why do you feel a need to promote it
Wade and Dwight,
You are both being prayed for here on a dead end, side street at the far end of the information super-highway.
It is issues such as this that make me schizophrenic. Part of me (the majority) says "Hang in there!" While a smaller part tells me, "It is time to bail out." I am a Southern Baptist by choice and an IMB missionary by calling of God, and am thoroughly sick of the "iron grip" on our beloved convention. Will it ever end?
If someone thought that all the blogging back in December, '05 and January, '06 caused a lowering of morale among those who God called to share the Good News around the world, they should survey us now. The only thing that keeps me going is that God called me and has yet to release me. But at the rate that our convention is going, which will come first, my retirement or the implosion of the SBC?
Othoniel,
Allow me to answer your question.
Nobody is promoting a private prayer language.
You just have a man who is opposed to people asking "Do you have a private prayer language?" and if the anwswer is 'yes,' then the respondent is disqualified from service.
Nobody is promoting it.
People are protecting those who are being excluded because of it.
In His Grace,
wade
1revsview said,
Wade, do you honestly believe that you, Dwight and others with your kind of servant heart and inclusive spirit have a leadership future or "spiritual home" in this denominational enviornment?
Answer: I do.
I also think an awakening is coming to the SBC.
I am committed to maintain a positive spirit, a generous heart, and an iron will in the midst of it all.
Blessings,
wade
To all:
I humbly apologize. I had been told by a friend that Dwight had been President of the SBCT. He and his church are members of the SBCT, but he has never been its President. I have corrected the error.
He should be :)
Brother Wade,
Let me say that while I do not agree with you or Brother Mckissic on these issues, neither do I desire to see you leave. I say it is great that we are discussing and debating these issues instead of whether we believe the Bible or not.
Having said that, let me also say that as SB we serve together in a denomination that is directed by the local churches. Our Institutions are related to the local church through the Trustee System. If the Trustees make a decision that is against what most Baptist feel is correct, the place to deal with it is at the convention.
I will stay in the convention and serve here as long as I believe they convention is honoring God and His Word. When the day comes that I do not believe the SBC is doing that I will saturate her with my absence. All of the begging and letter writing campaigns in the world will do no good if I believe the SBC is not honoring God and His Word. If I use the threat to leave because I am not getting my way on an issue them you may be able to reel me back in by sending letters and begging me to stay.
Dr. McKissic, I do not desire to see you leave. It is not what I believe anyone wants. If God called you to be part of the SBC then you need to stay. However, If you feel the SBC is not honoring God or His Word, then my Brother, my prayers are with you as you seek to serve our Lord.
Blessings,
Tim
I had to look up "irenic" and am glad I did. Great word. Thank you for the education this morning. Here is what I found at the M-W Online:
Etymology: Greek eirEnikos, from eirEnE peace
: favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation, or conciliation
Christ called us to a Ministry of Reconciliation. There is nothing Conciliatory about the actions you and others have highlighted. May we continue to pray for repentance and revival for the Christians in this country (and the world).
Leaving the SBC should not be a burden that you or Dwight or I or others bear. If God has called you to serve in the SBC, continue to do so until those who oppose you bear the burden of going against God's call on your life.
What church history evidence is there for a private prayer language or speaking in tongues?
Is there any evidence in Baptist history?
Does anyone have any insights?
Dr. Glenn,
Forgive the long post, but I would propose to you that 'a private prayer language' is simply speaking in tongues privately.
“My hunch would be that “private prayer language” is a recent innovation designed to get around Baptist tendencies to be suspect of charismatic utterances. It falls under the “what you do at home is your own business” idea and served as an easy way to give people who have experienced ecstatic utterances, or prayed in the spirit, or whatever other term you wish to apply an out and assure mission boards and churches that they weren’t going to lead a charismatic service with everyone “speaking in tongues” or turn a mission church into a Benny Hinn type crusade."
For more background material on tongues I would read Baptist theologian Sam Storms
The quote in italics in my above comment is from David Eaton on Marty Duren's blog. I think he has some good insight.
Brother Wade,
I hate running two different comment streams, but this is your blog. You and I have been discussing this issue over at Brother Marty's blog.
Your interpretation of PPL as being the gift of tongues being spoken in private does not have a Scriptural basis. The only Scripture that I can see to support it is 1 Corinthians 14:2. If this is the basis the doctrine is removed from the context of Scripture. In the context of Scripture Paul is referencing the public use of this gift. To build a doctrine on this Scripture reveals a misuse of Scripture and will lead to an abuse of the gift. While you are free to observe the truth of that statement, and even promote the truth of that statement you are limited by Scripture to promote it in the context of the Scriptural setting and that being its use in public Worship.
Blessings,
Tim
Tim,
I would encourage you to study the writings of Baptist theologian Sam Storms enttiled Speaking in Tongues and the Southern Baptist Convention Part 1, and Speaking in Tongues and the Southern Baptist Convention Part II.
I think Sam does a good job answering your question from a Biblical perspective.
Dr. McKissic,
It looks like I will just be echoing what everyone else seems to be saying. Don't resign. Stay the course.
You have provided sound, scriptural support for your view. Of course, there are those who disagree, but the SBC has never been about doctrinal conformity. It is about brothers and sisters in Christ cooperating to do missions. How in the world can 40,000+ autonomous, independent churches agree on every single interpretation of scripture? The essence of being Southern Baptist is in your willingness to come together and support the Cooperative Program and its missions ministry with the common purpose of advancing the Kingdom. You and your congregation are as much a part of the mainstream of that as any other church in that group and there are plenty of other Southern Baptists who agree with you.
Hang in there.
SWBTS M.A.R.E. 1989
I would sincerely ask you not to leave Dr. McKissic, it would not be for the sake of unity as I see the Bible teaching the use of the word unity. I am sincerely praying for you and echo Alycees prayer. My husband and I do not agree with what has happened to you.
Marty Duren has said: "Stand strong, Dwight. Even if they all ask you to step down, it doesn't mean it's from God." and I agree.
Dwight,
Thank you for taking a principled, albeit lonely, stand against the continued narrowing of what beliefs are acceptable within the SBC. If this trend toward requiring conformity to one specific interpretation on every doctrine is not stopped, the SBC will collapse. I believe God has raised up people like you and Wade to shine a light on what is really happening behind the scenes in the SBC. I pray that God will sustain and strengthen you, your church, and your family in the coming months as you will undoubtedly be the subject of much criticism and even attacks. Just remember that there are many of us praying for you and encouraging you.
Wade, truer words were never spoken. Potential leaders ARE leaving the SBC by the hundreds, and it will continue to get worse unless men such as yourself and Dr. McKissic continue to stand firm against the political machine that has become the SBC.
Yesterday I heard George Will speak. He said, "its good to be a pessimist. You're right most of the time, and when you're wrong, you can be happy." I don't know if he borrowed that from someone else or not, but until you came along, I had no optimism about the future of the SBC. Even though I have already left, I now have some hope, because of you and people such as yourself. Thank you.
Wade and Dwight,
I am reminded of story of Esther and specifically this passage from Mordecai in Esther 4:14
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews (the body of Christ) will arise from another place, but you and your father's family (your church) will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position (this place of leadership) for such a time as this?"
May our response be like Esther "And if I perish, I perish"
Come what may, let us all be faithful to the Lord.
Troy
Wade,
thanks for the link. How do you figure Storms is Baptist?
My final conclusion:
-as long as the IMB refuses to discriminate beyond the scope of the BF&M2000 on doctrinal issues, we'll be sending our Lottie Moon money directly to our missionaries to Laos.
-if our other seminaries take the same route as swbts then we'll just not recommend out refer our students there.
-if the bf&m is ammended to discriminate officially against private prayer languages then we'll pull out all together.
We are not "congregational" and this is how our elders feel. We've prayed and met tonight and this is how we will speak. We're a church plant with a grand total of 150 folks reached in three or so years...we're no mega church...but...we are something and we can not support the IMB until this changes. We support foreign missionaries and will do what we can to send our dollars straight to them.
If this tent gets any smaller we're "bouncing", as these postmoderns like to say.
On the one hand, the SBC leadership seems threatened by Calvinism (which is historically on the side of Cessationism), and on the other, they want to force the resignation of a brother in Christ who holds a Continuationist postition.
You are correct. This has gotten a bit absurd. I'll be sending Mr. McKissic a word of encouragement.
Wade,
Your warnings for the reasons Irenic Conservative had better wake up are well taken.
It is interesting to think back to the origin of this private prayer language issue. It began at the IMB. Do you think Tom Hatley and other trustees woke up one day and said this is a big problem among our missionaries and we need to develop a policy to correct this? Jerry Rankin and other administrators have said this has not been an issue. I have not seen it even mentioned on the field where I serve. Some have said that the real motivation for this policy was to use it to attack Jerry Rankin. There was no theological or practical reason. It has been suggested that Paige Patterson was one of those encouraging this action by the IMB trustees. If so, this is another indication that the motivation behind much of what happens in SBC life today is not theological but political and is done to attack those you oppose or defend those you venerate (the Joshua Convergence). When you develop policies for the wrong reasons, it has a way of getting out of control and having consequences that you did not anticipate. You reap what you sow seems to be true.
There is nothing new in all of this. It has been the SOP for over 25 years. Brother McKissic made an unbelievable statement in his letter of explanation on his church’s home page. He said, Had I known at the time of my election to the trustee board that such a shift from openness to narrowness was imminent, I never would have accepted the assignment. Has he not paid any attention to the actions of his friend Paige Patterson or his political organization over the last 27 years? I hope Dwight McKissic doesn’t resign or leave the SBC. I am sorry for the hurt he feels. However, I remember in 2001 the BGCT elected him to their executive board and he used that position to accuse the BGCT of not supporting the truthfulness of the Bible and accused their leaders of racism. He then withdrew his church from the BGCT and placed it in the SBTC and was rewarded by being made a trustee at SWBTS. I wonder if he feels the criticism he has received by the SWBTS BOT is more of less justified than his own attacks on the BGCT. You reap what you sow.
Ron West
Wade If this post is to long, tell me and I will remove it. Thanks for sharing this and as always Your Heart
Dr. Dwight McKissic,
This matter is very heavy on my Heart and I don't have this Gift that God gave you, but I know that God does many thing that I don't understand at this time. But I see your Heart and I don't see the Heart of the others mentioned or spoke against you. God did give me the Gift of prophecy which I will explain below. My Prayer will be for you and Yours to be steadfast in the Lord and continue to be led by the Holy Spirit. I would Love to hear you Preach and Worship with You and Your Church. I have a special place in my Heart for the way you Praise and Honor the Lord in Worship Service. To God be the Glory.
I'm younger than you as I'm 71 yrs old and have been a Born Again Christian since 1969. I enclose what some Learned Men wrote about quenching the Spirit and include what my Gift is and have been told for years by Pastors and Fellow Christians. I did not understand until Dr Charles Stanley preached on the Gifts and this defines me.
Characteristics of someone with the gift of prophecy:
· A strong need to express himself verbally.
· A strong ability to discern the character and motives of other people.
· Wholehearted involvement in whatever he is doing.
· Very open to correction.
· Extremely loyal.
· Willingness to suffer for what is right.
· Persuasive in defining truth.
II. Misunderstandings about someone with the gift of prophecy:
· His sense of right and wrong is often judged as intolerant.
· His strong desire to proclaim truth is often interpreted as disinterest in listening to other people.
· Frankness is viewed as harshness or impatience.
· Interest in groups may be misinterpreted as a disinterest in individuals.
.
1Th 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit.ESV
THE BELIEVER'S STUDY BIBLE
Editor
W.A. Criswell, Ph.D.
Managing Editor
Paige Patterson, Th.D.
1Th_5:19 The phrase “Do not quench the Spirit” may be rendered “stop quenching the Spirit,” suggesting the cessation of an action which is in progress. This verse addresses the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in one’s private life as well as in the assembly of believers. The present tense of the command exhorts them to stop bringing the working of the Holy Spirit to a halt. It is encouraging to note that God gave them repeated opportunities to be used by His Spirit (see also 1Th_4:8). The metaphor “quench” suggests that the activity of the Spirit conveys a warmth, even a fire within a fellowship. When the Spirit’s fire is not quenched, one will find a Christian, a fellowship, characterized by the positive aspects of 1Th_5:12-26.
1Th 5:19 - Quench not the spirit. By which is meant, not the person of the Spirit, but either the graces of the spirit, which may be compared to light, and fire, and heat, to which the allusion is in the text; such as faith, which is a light in the soul, a seeing of the Son, and an evidence of things not seen; and love, which gives a vehement flame, which many waters cannot quench; and zeal, which is the boiling up of love, the fervency of it; and spiritual knowledge, which is also light, and of an increasing nature, and are all graces of the spirit: and though these cannot be totally extinguished, and utterly put out and lost, yet they may be greatly damped; the light of faith may become dim; and the flame of love be abated, and that wax cold; the heat of zeal may pass into Luke warmness, and an indifference of spirit; and the light of knowledge seem to decline instead of increasing; and all through indulging some sin or sins, by keeping ill company, and by neglecting the ordinances of God, prayer, preaching, and other institutions of the Gospel; wherefore such an exhortation is necessary to quicken saints, and stir them up to the use of those means, whereby those graces are cherished and preserved in their lively exercise; though rather the gifts of the Spirit are intended. The extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, bestowed on the apostles at the day of Pentecost, are represented under the symbol of fire, to which perhaps the apostle may here have respect; and the more ordinary gifts of the Spirit are such as are to be stirred up, as coals of fire are stirred up, in order that they may burn, and shine the brighter, and give both light and heat, 2Ti_1:6 and which may be said to be quenched, when they are neglected, and lie by as useless; when they are wrapped up in a napkin, or hid in the earth; or when men are restrained from the use of them; or when the use of them is not attended to, or is brought into contempt, and the exercise of them rendered useless and unprofitable, as much as in them lies. And even private persons may quench the Spirit of God, his gifts of light and knowledge, when they hold the truth in unrighteousness, imprison it, and conceal it, and do not publicly profess it as they ought.
1Th_5:19
To quench the Spirit means to resist His influence, like trying to smother a fire. One of the fundamental rules of walking with God is that we should not say no to the Spirit of God.
In His Name
Wayne Smith
Rev. McKissic.
You are a hero, a soldier of Christ, God's faithful and most precious servant. Don't let the forces of foolishness deter your stand for freedom and righteousness and liberty in Christ. I believe you should be the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention - and I believe you will be. I encourage you to stay the course where you are. Do not resign. That you were asked to shows the Patterson political machine is a very confused. WE are ALL behind you. But if you should ever resign, know that you will always be welcome in the BGCT and never asked to give up your private prayer language.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Wade,
I do not understand in all love and respect how anyone can say that no one is promoting anything. This would not be an issue had it not been promoted. I think people need to take a time out and look at the specifics. It was promoted and it is an agenda or else it would be private just as the title assigned suggests.
Snoofy
If you really knew Dr. Mckissic you would know very well that he would not be welcomed in the BGCT not would his convictions allow him to be a part of the BGCT.
first off, i admit my ignorance in fully understanding what all is going on here. i have tried to keep up and clear the blurry areas where i don't quite get it all. but here's my question, in 10 or 20 years, is this issue going to be such a hot seat issue? i can't help but wonder if this is just the "buzz" topic of the here and now? will time expel the weight of the current drama? i am a bit new to the SBC so i don't know fully the history behind these multi-tier issues...
i guess the reason I ask is because it's inevitable that Patterson and those who are against, for example, McKissic and you, Wade, will eventually die (i don't mean that negatively at all, just practically) so once they get on out of here (this world) will those who are more on your side of the debate be able to discuss and act more effectively and openly what it is you feel is so important?
that may not make much sense but maybe there is something in there you could speak to...
Wade and fellow bloggers,
I find it quite ironic that moderate Baptists were pushed out or marginalized so effectively, (and in fact, many Southern Baptists whose postings I have read on this blog say that they are glad that moderates are gone), while so many seem to be ready to come to the defense of PPL practitioners. That's not to derogate the PPL practitioners. No, not by any means, but just to point out that the moderates were equally worthy of defense.
Inerrancy seems to be the dividing line. Although he supports PPL, etc., Dr. McKissic is at least an inerrantist, as he clearly declared in his response to Dr. Patterson which was posted on his (Dr. McKissic's) website today.
So, it's okay for "irenic" Baptists to support Dr. McKissic as long as he's an inerrantist, but moderates are viewed, by and large, as not being worthy of a similarly principled defense. You are, perhaps, the exception, Wade, since you have stated on this blog that you would consider working with principled fellow Baptists who affirm the authority and sufficiency of scripture without using the term inerrancy. I wonder, would you also defend the rights of such Baptists to fill leadership, seminary, and missionary posts in the SBC as you imagine its future?
I hope the answer would be yes, but I'm not sure about that because of your own stated views on inerrancy, which is to say that you have stated that you consider yourself an inerrantist.
I'd like to argue here that inerrancy should be abandoned as the litmus test for who gets to participate in Southern Baptist life and who doesn't. Recognizing this is important not only for healing the split in the Convention, but also for reaching a lost world.
For progress to made, it needs to be acknowledged that for a Christian to believe that the Bible is authoritative and sufficient for Christian faith and practice while stopping short of using the word inerrancy is just as principled and intellectually valid a belief as holding the view that one should be able to practice a PPL, etc.
Before I proceed, I want to make it clear that by saying the Bible is not inerrant, that I am not anti-Bible. I was saved in a Baptist church at the age of 8, and I have never stopped believing in Jesus or the Bible. I have studied the Bible, both through faith and for faith, and also from a scholarly perspective. Some persons might consider the scholarly perspective inimical to faith, but I do not. I do not believe God intended us to turn off our minds when reading the Bible. I believe one has to read the Bible with one's mind and one's heart at the same time.
What I learned from careful study is that a careful and thorough reading of the Bible will demonstrate beyond doubt that the Bible is not inerrant in all particulars, at least not in an historical or literal sense.
Reading the text of Matthew, Mark, and Luke side-by-side in a book such as Throckmorton's GOSPEL PARALLELS reveals some of the difficulties of calling the Bible inerrant in a literal or historical sense. Reading the gospel accounts side-by-side, one becomes aware that there is a common core of material in each gospel(such as parables, and sayings of Jesus), while also drawing attention to the way that the gospel writers differed on certain details. Most of those details would be considered minor by most historians (and by me, too, for that matter), but the differences are there and are not easily explained away.
So, in a certain sense, the gospels themselves provide a hermeneutic model that mirrors the goals of an irenic church polity. In order to read the gospels together, w