Southern Baptist Preachers Can't Pull The Trigger Against Romanism

[Beth O]

SOUTHERN BAPTIST PREACHERS CAN'T PULL THE TRIGGER AGAINST ROMANISM
(Friday Church News Notes, September 7, 2007, www.wayoflife.org
fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - We have warned many times that
the very best preachers within the Southern Baptist Convention are
New Evangelicals. New Evangelicalism was founded in the late 1940s by
men aligned with Billy Graham who rejected fundamentalist separatism,
and it has since spread throughout evangelicalism. The SBC, whose
greatest hero is Graham, is permeated with it. Al Mohler, head of the
SBC's flagship seminary, is one of the strongest voices in the
Convention, yet he is clearly New Evangelical in his approach, which
is to avoid separatism and to keep one's message on a more positive
keel and to avoid preaching against things that are controversial
within one's own context. Though he has no qualms in lifting his
voice against such evils as homosexuality and abortion he refuses to
reprove Roman Catholicism, yet Catholicism has destroyed more souls
than any of the evils he does take on and more souls probably than
all of them put together. A Southern Baptist preacher will preach
against evils that it is acceptable to preach against in his circles,
but he will not preach the whole counsel of God and warn of all
errors, and he will not call for strict separation from error. It is
still widely acceptable within the SBC to preach against
homosexuality and abortion and radical liberalism of the Episcopalian
variety, but it is not acceptable to preach against Roman Catholicism
or Free Masonism or Rock & Roll or New Evangelicalism or Graham-style
Ecumenical Evangelism or Public Schools or Contemporary Christian
Music or Worldly Church Youth Groups or Psychology or Modern Textual
Criticism or a slew of other things. If a Southern Baptist preacher
even mentions these things, which is rare, he will step very softly
and apologetically and will go out of his way to remind his audience
that he is certainly not against any of THEM. An example of the New
Evangelical approach is Mohler's blog on Mother Teresa's crisis of
faith. Mohler titled his column "Trust Christ, Not Feelings" and
stated that "the recent revelations of Mother Teresa's spiritual
struggle should remind all believing Christians that our faith is in
Christ--not in our feelings." The article missed the point entirely,
which is whether or not Mother Teresa was a true Christian. There is
not a hint in Mohler's article about the fact that Mother Teresa's
church teaches a false gospel and has blasphemously inserted itself
and its saints and sacraments between the individual and Christ, and
that Mother Teresa BY HER OWN TESTIMONY was a faithful daughter of
Rome. Mohler concluded with this: "I possess no ability to read
Mother Teresa's heart, but I do sincerely hope that her faith was in
Christ, and not in her own faithfulness." That is a ridiculous
statement in light of Mother Teresa's own published words. We don't
have to read her heart; she expressed it for us. She said her faith
was in the wafer of the mass and in Mary and in the priests and in
the universal fatherhood of God and in all sorts of things other than
and in addition to Christ! It is simply not in a New Evangelical to
preach the whole truth. His hatred of "separatism" and his commitment
to positivism and his desire to be known as scholarly won't allow it.

[hilhill]

It's ironic you post this because alot of people on this board reacted the same way Mohler did in his article toward the Mother Teresa stuff that was released.

While I do side on the writers side in that Roman Catholicism is hardly ever touched on by Christian preachers, we still are not to judge another's salvation. She died a long time ago, and what's done is done. She either knew Jesus or she didn't, but really, who cares? Like I said, she's dead, her life is done, so work out your own salvation. (and that's an impersonal "you") :)

[Sing4Him]

I think we can see how "new Evangelicals" preach a "feel good", "social gospel".

Dr.Frank Page, head of the SBC, endorses Dallas Willard/Richard Foster. They have written the Renovare Bible.. a complete perversion of the true Bible.

This is why this convention has brought it's members into "Spiritual Discp. and Formation" training with it's ties to easten mysticim and the slow merge with the Emergent Church.

If you can't tell people they are going to hell without the salvation found through Jesus' atonement for sin, then one brings the convention to the state of ecumenicism rather easily-- "come one, come all, any gospel will get you to heaven.. no biggie" :rolleyes

I'm disappointed with Mohler.. but this seems to be par for the SBC.

Thank the Lord for those who stand for gospel truth-- Dr John MacArthur, Pastor Chuck Smith sr and could it be now only a hand full of others??? :ohno

[heybales219]

I thought we weren't supposed to judge others' salvation. Isn't that what you are complaining that Mohler and the SBC are not doing in regards to Roman Catholics? Where do all of these new terms come from? "new evangelicism"? "fundamentalist separatism"? who creates these terms and what in the world do they mean? :scratch

[Sing4Him]

Heybales.. I do not see a judgment regarding Mohler's salvation.

I see this, as the main issue here:

he will not preach the whole counsel of God and warn of all
errors, and he will not call for strict separation from error

Where do all of these new terms come from? "new evangelicism"? "fundamentalist separatism"? who creates these terms and what in the world do they mean?

I think they come from the same area that Emergent comes from. I'm ALL for fundamental separatism IF it brings solid believers who stand on the complete truth of the gospel.. not adding, nor subtracting.

[A BELIEVER]

If she was saved Heaven with crowns of DIAMONDS and GOLD.

If not well we know..Jesus called the shot on that one, as he does on all.


ARE YOU SAVED?

[Beth O]

I thought we weren't supposed to judge others' salvation. Isn't that what you are complaining that Mohler and the SBC are not doing in regards to Roman Catholics? Where do all of these new terms come from? "new evangelicism"? "fundamentalist separatism"? who creates these terms and what in the world do they mean? :scratch

Preachers and Teachers of the Word of God have a mighty responsibility! If they are not up to the task and care more about what mere men and women think of them, then they should not partake in this most noble role.

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Acts 5:27-42 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (emphasis mine)

[Beth O]

If she was saved Heaven with crowns of DIAMONDS and GOLD.

If not well we know..Jesus called the shot on that one, as he does on all.


ARE YOU SAVED?

Many still look to Mother Theresa as a great role model to be a good Catholic. (in fact aren't they working on her saint hood or is she already a saint? :idunno) Should preachers of the Word of God point out that she was depending on the wrong thing, (things) for her salvation. She said it with her own words, she depended on the mass and on Mary. What did she say about Jesus? the absent one. I hate to even write that.

Does this make you so uncomfortable to the point that you scream out to Sing, are you saved. Way to deflect. It's really a shame you have this response, when there are many of us that have a heart for the lost souls in the prison walls of Catholicism. You are human, I choose what God thinks about this matter over what you think. and I didn't post this to make sure everyone feels all warm and fuzzy. If one person comes out of her and depends on Jesus Christ for their salvation, the only way, then I'm happy and so is God.

[Robbinson]

Many still look to Mother Theresa as a great role model to be a good Catholic. (in fact aren't they working on her saint hood or is she already a saint? :idunno) Should preachers of the Word of God point out that she was depending on the wrong thing, (things) for her salvation. She said it with her own words, she depended on the mass and on Mary. What did she say about Jesus? the absent one. I hate to even write that.

Does this make you so uncomfortable to the point that you scream out to Sing, are you saved. Way to deflect. It's really a shame you have this response, when there are many of us that have a heart for the lost souls in the prison walls of Catholicism. You are human, I choose what God thinks about this matter over what you think. and I didn't post this to make sure everyone feels all warm and fuzzy. If one person comes out of her and depends on Jesus Christ for their salvation, the only way, then I'm happy and so is God.

Hi Beth:

I agree with you on the scriptural issue that salvation comes through Christ alone, and that if someone puts their faith in sacraments and other works, rather than in Christ, they are not entering through the narrow gate to salvation. I did think about this when I read about Mother Teresa's recently revealed notes including her doubt, and perceived distance from God, and thought that this was due to her missing the mark. However, none of us know what is in another's heart at the moment before death and therefore whether or not she or anyone else who did not appear to put their faith in Christ, did so before it was too late. I believe that was the crux of the quote from the speach you quoted and of the earlier reply to your OP.

There are several hundred million Catholics - some christian in name only (just like within the protestant denomination), but many Christians exist within the Catholic Church despite the Church's errant/nonscriptural teachings. The book of Revelation tells us there can be faithful ones within the body of a corrupt Church - I think this was a prophecy of things to come and where things stand today in the Catholic Church (and many Protestant denominations). The delicate line is to share the gospel with all (including Catholics) without shunning or condemnation of members of any denomination as a group, but in the hope that they will come to understand the true gosepl over time. This isn't suggesting any compromise at all with respect to the truth. But this does mean someone should not be perceived as having "sold out" if they join Catholics in joint initiatives to nonbelievers (its a function of how they do it and whether they compromise their description of the gospel).

Thanks for the post - very interesting stuff.

[Skywalker]

I have yet to attend a Southern Baptist Church that didn't preach Christ and Him crucified.

I don't know where all of y'all are from but I can assure you that the SBCs in Texas are true to the Word.

If this board is going the way of the "Independant Fundamentalist" mindset which condemns everyone but their own local congregations (a la David Cloud) then I think y'all should plainly state that on your front page.