While I am included in the number of those troubled by the resolutions and motions offered by Roger Moran and his sympathizers in the Missouri Baptist Laymen's Association (www.mbla.org) at the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention. I am trying very hard to sanctify my actions and to behave a in way fitting the glorious Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In doing some research, I found this article from a pastor in my own state of Missouri. Joe Voga has several posts on his blog that give a pretty clear story.
We in Missouri, and in fact we in the SBC, owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Moran and the war horses like him. Through their efforts, the theologically liberal tide has been stemmed and the Battle for The Bible (aka The Conservative Resurgence) has been largely won.
Lest you doubt the reality of that victory, I submit this article from a self described "ordained Baptist minster" - "What Does it Mean to Say All Scripture is Inspired by God?"
The above is nothing less than an attack on the verbal plenary inspiration of Scripture.
I am thankful for Roger Moran, and many unamed others like him, for their past efforts to protect sound doctrine. I am thankful for these men for another reason as well - they serve as an example to us of how we must heed the words of my wise Grandpa Archie - "There is such a thing as being right and going about it the wrong way".
The Gospel of Jesus Christ compels us to the Great Commission. Paul reminds us in 1st Corinthians 9:24-27 that we must run our race to win, but also that we must run according to the principles laid out in His Word.
We must extend grace to those with which we disagree. We must keep the main thing the main thing.
We can be a great witness to the world in not only our unity in the essentials of doctrine, but also in the charity we show in brotherly discussions of secondary and tertiary issues.
The Great Commission Resurgence is not about stemming the decline in baptisms in the SBC. It is about aligning our focus - globally, nationally, regionally, locally, and personally - with Jesus's command to go and make disciples. Martin Luther began his 95 Theses (and the Protestant Reformation) with statement that the whole life of a disciple of Christ is marked by continuous repentance.
Therefore, The Great Commission Resurgence will be marked by the repentance of those new believers from every tongue and tribe who are confronted with the reality of their sin in the light Jesus on the Cross and His Gospel AND it will be marked by repentance by disciples, young and old, new and seasoned, confronted with our our false notions, personal preferences, political views, racism, bigotry, self righteous attitudes, indifference, laziness, and hardheartedness in the light of that same Gospel, Savior, and Cross.
The words of John the Baptist are as relevant as they were 2000 years ago. "Repent. The Kingdom of God is at hand!"
