Letters to the Editor

Jul 18, 2006

Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

COLLEGE DAYS

Home away from home

In several weeks there will be thousands of students coming to Tallahassee to attend either Florida A&M University, Florida State University or Tallahassee Community College. This is an exciting time for these students and an apprehensive time for their parents! The student ministry of First Church, Tallahassee, cares about students and wants to be their “home away from home.”

Through our student ministry, First Church offers opportunities for service, missions, discipleship, fellowship, social interaction, Bible study and worship. We offer a mid-week college Bible study (“CBS!”) Wednesdays at 8:20 p.m. in our church sanctuary geared and focused toward the college student. Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. we offer Sunday morning Bible study in our fellowship hall. We break into smaller classes for better fellowship and accountability. We also offer a contemporary service of worship at 11 a.m. every Sunday.

If any of your readers know of students coming to Tallahassee this fall, please let me know. Please send or call their names — with complete address and telephone number — to me: First Baptist Church, 108 W. College, Tallahassee, FL 32301, 850-222-5470 Ext. 421 or clint@fbctlh.org. We would like to contact them prior to their arrival here.

Clinton C. Purvis III
Tallahassee

CALVINISM

Humans like ‘Tin Man’

In the June 22 article: “Two seminary presidents discuss aspects of Calvinism,” with R. Albert Mohler Jr. and Paige Patterson, the two men agree to disagree, but which of their viewpoints is correct? The Gospel cannot be one or the other, to pick and choose the version we like best. The Gospel can only be considered for what it really is, Good News to be proclaimed to all, so that all may be saved from their sins.

For example: everyone is familiar with the “Tin Man” in the Wizard of Oz who wished for a heart. He was caught in the rain and rusted. His tarnished tin would no longer allow him to move. Likewise, according to Calvinism, man is rusted by the corruption of sin and unable to turn to God.

The tin man represents everyone who lacks a heart for God. Even though he has a brain (unlike his scarecrow friend) he, like us, has a void in his chest that only God can fill. According to the apostle John, all of our minds have been spiritually enlightened by God to have a knowledge of Him for, “there was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9). In John 1:4 he also states regarding Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” The apostle Paul in Romans 1:19 states, “because that which is known about God is evident within them...” It is God who takes the total darkness of sins depravity and turns on the light, shining into every man the knowledge of God.

The tin man recognized his rusted condition, just as we are aware of our sin. For “if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). We are all like the tin man in need of the oil (Holy Spirit) and need only ask in order to receive. Jesus himself said, “if you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13).

Once freed from our rust (sin) we receive a new heart. But, instead of following the yellow brick road to the Wizard of Oz, we follow the red blood-stained path to Calvary’s cross and to a Savior who loved us first.

Bob Haas
Tallahassee

ALCOHOL RESOLUTION

Abstain from burgers

While I agree with the call for trustees to abstain from alcohol, I’m surprised that many who support this resolution are in fact, guilty of another grevious sin. Brothers and sisters, there are gluttons among us.

I would gladly welcome those who preach against alcohol to do the same against another great killer of Southern Baptists — and many Americans, for that matter.

It was striking to view the online broadcasts and look out over an audience amply filled with well-rounded messengers. Yet, no resolutions from the floor about stuffing our faces with cheeseburgers. No resolutions urging our brothers and sisters to set aside the sweet tea. Could you imagine if someone presented a resolution requiring trustees to be of a certain body fat percentage? Abstain from the drink, yes! And while we’re at it, let’s put down that fried chicken leg, too.

Signed, an open-heart surgery surviving Southern Baptist who’s dropped 90 pounds.

Todd Starnes
Yonkers, NY

Avoid hypocrisy

How resolved are Southern Baptists to keep in line with the alcohol resolution? (Online at www.sbc.net/resolutions/amResolution.asp?ID=1156.) Will we make the appropriate changes in our lives?

1) Restaurant selection. Are we willing to give up eating at any restaurant that “distributes” or makes alcohol available for “consumption”? Many Sundays after church, I see good Southern Baptists at restaurants that have a bar. If our restaurant does not have a bar, would we be willing to get up and leave if alcohol is on the menu?

2) Investment options. Are we willing to pore through our investment portfolio to ensure that dollars are not invested in companies involved with the “manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages?”

3) Church outings and vacations. Are we willing to forego vacations and church outings to Sea World and Busch Gardens (Anheiser-Busch)? How about any theme park that serves alcoholic beverages?

This resolution (and any resolution like it) opens up a can of worms that people rarely think through. Can we be in “total opposition” to something when we patronize organizations that support the very thing we claim to be in “total opposition?” If we are not fully resolved to make appropriate changes, the world will see — very clearly — our hypocrisy. Let’s not be a convention that is merely resolved to make resolutions. If we make one, we need to live by it.

Brian R. Giaquinto
Fort Pierce

OFFENDED BY EDITORIAL

Change must continue

I have read and re-read James A. Smith Sr.’s editorial (June 22) and have come to the conclusion that Editor Smith is part of the problem with the Southern Baptist Convention, not the solution. Smith’s attitude reflects this layman’s driven need to attend the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro. I find that even though we have changed direction in the SBC, it appears that that change must continue down to state level and company newspapers which reflect bitterness and resentment toward what the messengers have authorized.

Larry Hudson
Arcadia

YOUNG LEADERS

Meeting for fellowship

I don’t know what young leaders Jeremy L. Green was talking about in his editorial. I was in Greensboro with many of the young leaders in the SBC. I met no one who is looking for office. We met together to pray, laugh and fellowship. We are concerned about the SBC, but there was no organized plan. Most of us there were bloggers. Most of us had never met each other before Greensboro, but we felt like we had known each other forever. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have no desire for any SBC office. I had never been to a convention before because of ugly politics I had seen in the past. That was my own fault and I take the blame. I’m glad I attended because I came away with a greater appreciation for what God is doing in the SBC.

Kevin Bussey
Charlotte, NC

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