BBFI compromise

[bb_baptist]

Did anyone else get the new Plains Baptist Challenger?

There is a (long) article about a supposed BBFI compromise. Any comments?

 

[go2church]

Considering it comes from the Plains Baptist Challenger, I really, really doubt it is a compromise. But hearing the other side of the story would be nice.

 

[cdawg]

Agreed! I haven't read the article, but I would have serious doubts as well. I guess it all depends on your definition of "compromise".

CC

 

[Dr. Bob]

I detest the "rags" that purport to give the inside info or truth - and find it libelous or so biased as to be totally unreliable.

Would someone post a summary of this article? I have little use for the BBF mentality, but cannot imagine how they "compromised"??

 

[bb_baptist]

The Baptist Plains Challenger's editor, Bynum, called "anyone who still believes the Bible to leave this unscriptural organization".

 

[bb_baptist]

The main issue (as far as I understand it from reading the article) has to do with the BBFI meeting in September to be held at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in VA.
The key things mentioned are:

1.) Bethlehem's pastor made statements about possible benefits of dropping the name "Baptist"
2.) The church's music style
3.) Use of non-KJV translations (of course)
4.) Matters of dress and modesty
5.) BBFI speakers Dr. Johnny Hunt (SBC) and Jerry Falwell (ex-BBFI, now SBC)

 

[Rev. Joshua]

For those of us without a dog in this fight, what's a BBFI?

Joshua

 

[yankeefan]

(BBFI Stands for Baptist Bible Fellowship International.) I really do not see this as a compromise because many of the BBF churches in Virginia at least are probably unaware that there is even a controversy. Also some of the BBF churches attend Falwell's Super Conference every hear in Lynchburg and probably recomended Johnny Hunt to speak because he is such a powerful speaker. But I can see were churches outside of Va may see this as a possible compromise.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I have always looked at the BBF churches (most hyper legalistic, KJVO, pastor is dictator, 1-2-3-pray-after-me type of "soul winning", etc - I know, that is a broad brush but you get the idea) askance and have little to do with them.

But had no idea there were churches that seem "normal" (albeit, in Virginia) in that group. Maybe there IS hope from that fringe brand of fundamentalism if there IS a conflict . . .

 

[cdawg]

Dr. Bob,
It's interesting you should use that "broad brush" with BBF. Being IB myself, (I prefer NAB)I have many BBF friends and often attend the state fellowship with them. The interesting thing is that many IBF churches consider BBF to be "liberal" on the areas you mention. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

CC

 

[yankeefan]

I would agree with Cdawg that most IBF churches would "run" and stay away from the BBF churches because they would claim that BBF is too liberal.

It will be interesting to see what happens on the international level when they have the BBFI conference in Fairfax with contemporary music(you never know there might even be a band playing the praise and worship) and two SBC pastors. I believe it will go extremely well because Bethlehem Baptist's Pastor is widely respected. Many people that have had major disagreements with BBF have already left the organization.

 

[Pastor Larry]

All my knowledge of the BBF is first hand and it is my experience that the BBF is a mixed bag (as are most groups). The old guard was KJVOnly or strongly KJVPreferred. Some of the new might be moving away from that. Musically, they are (and have been for a while) moving more towards contemporary music (as a genre, not as a time indicator). Their dress standards are considered by many to be weak. Their preaching is typically not very sound and not very doctrinal. Their soteriology was aptly characterized by Bob as 1-2-3 pray after me. They function more as a convention than a fellowship. They are weak on separation. I have not read the article but perhaps I will look it up to get a copy of it.

 

[go2church]

Baptist Bible Fellowship International is a group that broke away from J. Frank Norris back in the 50's over his control (read dictatorship) of the college that he started in Fort Worth. Norris was a Southern Baptist, so in a sense they are a break from the SBC. They are dispensational in the Scofield tradition and very fundamental. The headquarters are in Springfield, MO and are the largest independent mission sending group in the US. They have a couple of bible colleges and a seminary. They insist they aren't a denomination and would not like to be called so even though they elect a president and officers every year. This group puts the independent in Independent Baptist. I grew up in this type of church, but haven't kept up with them for several years now. The compromise that is being spoken of is not really anything new, they have been fighting this battle for many, many years now.

 

[Circuitrider]

The main area of compromise as they view it is the having of Jerry Falwell speak, since he has departed from the fold. The contemporary music is also a problem which is wide spread among BBF churches. They split from J. Frank Norris, and there have already been several groups which have left the BBF over these issues.

Separation is ultimately the only way to keep the cancer of compromise out of the body. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing ; and I will receive you...."

 

[yankeefan]

I just viewed the Plains Challenger Online version. Although it does not have the specific article we are discussing in my opinion from reading the other articles this organization would have a bone to pick with most of us on one issue or another. If we would not agree with the folks from the Plains Challenger on every single issue dealing with separation then they will go ahead and start bashing just like they did with BBF.

 

[DocCas]

In defense of my good friend, E. L. Bynum, editor of the Plains Baptist Challanger, allow me to say he is one of the most godly and loving men I have ever met. And, he serves a very important purpose amongst those who would identity ourselves as IFBs, a function very similar to that held by Archer and Arno Weniger a generation ago. Those worthy men wrote for and edited a paper called "The Blue Print." The purpose of "The Blue Print" was very similar to the purpose of "The Plains Baptist Challanger" - to inform Christians on what in happening in Christendom, and to expose those the editors believe to be in error. Such publications make us look, examine, and think about such issues. Even if we end up disagreeing, at least we have a better understanding of how the othe side thinks, and why they think it. Such freedom of expression is the foundation of a well informed society.

 

[go2church]

I didn't say don't read it, just understand that it come from a very, underline very biased viewpoint. It's funny that you ask for tolerance for your friend, but your friend doesn't extend that same type of tolerance in his newspaper. Most of the stuff he talks about is minor stuff at best in the big scheme of the Kingdom of God.

 

[DocCas]

Sorry, but you are very, very, wrong about E. L. Bynum. If his publishing his opinions is "intolerant" of others, isn't your publishing your opinion of him equally "intolerant" of him? This axe cuts both ways. Be careful your intolerant spirit doesn't distroy you.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

Sorry, I had a name wrong. Couldn't delete, so I just erased everything.

[ September 04, 2002, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: Pastor Bob 63 ]

 

[go2church]

Having an opinion about the Plains Baptist newspaper and the editor is not intolerant. I simply stated that it is very biased, which it is. We all are biased to some degree or another. His degree of being biased is just greater then most.