tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post1212311968646112289..comments2023-06-02T05:56:55.748-05:00Comments on Love Each Stone: Rogers-Yarnell Dialogue on the Great Commission, Letter #19David Rogershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11701934251748260267noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-44819740307030102322009-12-17T22:22:51.013-06:002009-12-17T22:22:51.013-06:00For whomever may happen to read this at this late ...For whomever may happen to read this at this late date, and is wondering what happened to the last two posts to which Malcolm alludes in the comment stream here, I never did receive another letter from Malcolm, so have decided to just leave it as is for the time being.<br /><br />In the meantime, the dialogue continues, albeit in other settings, and with additional participants.David Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11701934251748260267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-89169114982122782512008-01-29T12:16:00.000-06:002008-01-29T12:16:00.000-06:00Paul,Thankfully, I have experienced some good exam...Paul,<BR/><BR/>Thankfully, I have experienced some good examples of the Body of Christ living and working in unity in Spain beyond what I have seen in the States. But, there are probably examples in the States too that I just have not had the opportunity to experience personally yet. Also, the thorny issues of denominationalism seem to follow us wherever we go. Yes, they are present in Spain, as well, to a big extent.David Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11701934251748260267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-12544045349360359912008-01-29T12:05:00.000-06:002008-01-29T12:05:00.000-06:00David,I'm a Johnny-come-lately in getting around t...David,<BR/><BR/>I'm a Johnny-come-lately in getting around to this post, but let me say that it is a wonderful response, rhetoric and all. ;-)<BR/><BR/>I read that article you link to on the spiritual landscape in Spain and wonder if the gospel-believing church in Spain, small in numbers as it is, has the luxury of isolating themselves from one another over some of these issues under discussion.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>PaulPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01568650603425594448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-22504677608561710142008-01-07T09:32:00.000-06:002008-01-07T09:32:00.000-06:00Joel Rainey,Thanks for the encouragement, and for ...Joel Rainey,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the encouragement, and for continuing to provide a solid voice of reason and balance on key issues in our convention.<BR/><BR/>Malcolm,<BR/><BR/>I look forward to your response. I pray we will all remain open to being convinced by a consistent exegesis and well-reasoned application of the eternal principles of God's Word.<BR/><BR/>Barrett,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your kind words, friendship, and partnership in the Gospel.<BR/><BR/>Strider, IamnM, Joel, and Russell,<BR/><BR/>I especially appreciate the affirmation of you my colleagues at the IMB. May we remain open to being instructed by God's Word, and unwavering in our commitment to "whatever it's going to take" to reach all the peoples of the world with the message of the grace of Jesus that reconciles us with the Father, and also reconciles us one with another by way of our common relationship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3,7).David Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11701934251748260267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-51909555432734521762008-01-06T03:12:00.000-06:002008-01-06T03:12:00.000-06:00Malcom Yarnell wrote:"There are two directions bef...Malcom Yarnell wrote:<BR/>"There are two directions before us: either we will continue reducing our church standards in order to "build bridges" to other Christians and even other religions, or we will maintain the ordinances that Christ instituted in obedience to Him."<BR/><BR/>The command not to work on the Sabbath for those under the Torah was for man, not man for the Torah. Jesus taught the priority for those arguing for faithfully obeying the Lord not to use God's ordained commands of form as an excuse for escaping his ordained commands of principles. Some of the scribes did not like Jesus' "lack of faithfulness to a clear command"; they were obviously wrong. <BR/><BR/>The arguments for theologically vigorous precision in our ordinances as a basis for breaking fellowship with those whom Christ has accepted are sadly familiar. I got suspicious that there was no clear and obvious answer for the whole alien baptism idea when no one could articulate it in less than a treatise of extended arguments far beyond the question asked (or any immediately recognized text like, say... <BR/>Galations 7:4 "I also told Peter to his face: "How dare you eat with those Community Church people, Repent and be Baptist for the remission of your ecumenicism!"). [[insert smiley face icon to show that I am teasing in a friendly way, not pontificating in an unduly self-important way]]<BR/><BR/>Seriously:<BR/>Someone who is baptized in obedience to Christ showing they are saved by grace is good enough for me to fellowship with. A baptized believer with commitment to Christ as King of the Kingdom who is in church fellowship is someone I'll share the cup with.<BR/>I fear God enough not to be so bold as to tell one of His that he needs my denominational credentials before I can worship and serve with him. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for giving us your perspective Malcom. Thank you also for considering that some of us who reject it do so not out of shallow worldiness but out of passionate devotion to seek the full counsel of God. May He give us all grace to hear and obey Him even if that means any of us really do need to repent.<BR/><BR/>shalom,<BR/><BR/>Russell Minick<BR/>Chiang Mai, Thailand1teloshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04929108427920426063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-55085951632808710942008-01-05T20:40:00.000-06:002008-01-05T20:40:00.000-06:00DavidI've really enjoyed the dialogue. Probably mo...David<BR/>I've really enjoyed the dialogue. Probably more so because my heart and mind resonates with the way you approach things about "the kingdom". I suspect that if Dr. Yarnell's position rules the day in the SBC and becomes the "rules" by which we all have to live and serve, many of us M's will be out of the IMB real quick. I feel "sort of" confident this won't happen. Stay the course. You have become a voice for us with your clearly stated beliefs that represent many who feel similar.<BR/>Thanks<BR/>Joel<BR/>IMBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-86161681573736940972008-01-04T21:22:00.000-06:002008-01-04T21:22:00.000-06:00David, I also want to express my thanks for your e...David, I also want to express my thanks for your efforts here and on many blogs that are so reflective of my own opinions after many years of service with the IMB. This series of letters should be required reading for all that wish to be involved in SB life in any way, as I think that they accurately reflect the fundamental differences that are rising up among us. Please continue in your efforts knowing that there are many reading that seldom comment, and never with such clarity and grace as you alwasy display.<BR/><BR/>Dr. Yarnell, thanks for taking the time to post these letters, as I feel that I understand your positions much better now. While I don't think we will ever be in agreement concerning these issues, as seen from a couple of our other dialogues at Barebones, I can at least understand where you are coming from. May I very humbly suggest that the thoroughness and grace that came out in your last post will always go much further than the usual "Baptist" is "biblical" sound bytes that you have frequently offered in the past.<BR/><BR/>***IamanM***Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-87949140348684718512008-01-04T13:36:00.000-06:002008-01-04T13:36:00.000-06:00David's 'rhetoric' may have been unconvincing unti...David's 'rhetoric' may have been unconvincing until you mentioned the Pentacostal church in Kenya. Isn't that the point Malcolm? We have theoretical differences until reality sets in, the enemy attacks, and we stand together as brothers and sisters in Christ? If this is true when they burned alive why is it not true when they live and breath? <BR/>They are our family- not invisible at all- and I would have shared the Lord's cup gladly with any one of them if I had the chance all the while smiling as we discussed their errors about baptism in the Holy spirit! <BR/>There is one faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father of all and all the rhetoric we spout will not change what God has ordained. I am a Southern Baptist and proud of that but much more than that I am a child of God and will love and work with all of God's children- period. <BR/>David, you are the best! Thanks for your efforts on this blog.Striderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07347436154893544535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-89418036275540677652008-01-03T22:05:00.000-06:002008-01-03T22:05:00.000-06:00David and Malcolm, Thanks for the sharing of...David and Malcolm,<BR/> Thanks for the sharing of your convictions. I have to say that most of your disagreements seems to me to be more theoretical than Biblical. It reminds me of some of the thoughts shared in "My Utmost for HIS Highest".... I may not always understand what Oswald Chambers has said after reading his devotional. In the last forty plus years, my wife and I have used it as a devotional multiple times..... Every time we've used it.... I'm challenged! The same has been true with your exchanges. I honestly regret they are coming to a conclusion, but your exchanges have been a Blessing for me. With an accumulative total of more than 65 years as a Southern Baptist, 55 of those as an SBC pastor and strong supporter of Global Missions... my prayer is that you'll both continue to "stay" by the "stuff" as God's people continue to seek HIS will and discern HIS correction! ...and for you both... Philippians 1:3-4 & 9-11 HCSB ......Blessings.....<BR/>barrett<BR/>Assoc. Pastor;Pastoral Care & Assimilation<BR/>Tallahassee, FLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-86953457094235276552008-01-03T16:17:00.000-06:002008-01-03T16:17:00.000-06:00Good but unconvincing rhetoric, David.Dear Readers...Good but unconvincing rhetoric, David.<BR/><BR/>Dear Readers, David and I have agreed to write two final letters, and then we will bring this dialogue to a conclusion.<BR/><BR/>Please be in prayer for the Christians in Kenya, especially in light of the burning of the Pentecostal church with the people inside. It is a beautiful country with beautiful people, and the current situation is tragic. <BR/><BR/>In Christ,<BR/>MalcolmMalcolm Yarnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05527418213499559637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-83199060540723106672008-01-03T11:06:00.000-06:002008-01-03T11:06:00.000-06:00David,Excellent. Simply, excellent! Thanks for t...David,<BR/><BR/>Excellent. Simply, excellent! Thanks for this contribution.<BR/><BR/>Joel.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13856253694243784280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-62802345440754204612008-01-03T10:51:00.000-06:002008-01-03T10:51:00.000-06:00Trey,Thanks for your encouragement. I pray God wil...Trey,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your encouragement. I pray God will bless your ministry there in Croatia in a special way this year.<BR/><BR/>R. Grannemann,<BR/><BR/>I agree with you. I plan to post linking to some interesting articles on ecclesiology in the near future. I will be interested to hear your reactions.David Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11701934251748260267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-20262781549378493832008-01-03T09:13:00.000-06:002008-01-03T09:13:00.000-06:00Things such as whether a believer is baptized into...Things such as whether a believer is baptized into the local church or the universal church would be unimportant as long as no one thought holding one of the views was a legitimate basis for exclusion. That fact some think this, or some theological derivative of this, is a reason for exclusion points out there is an important theological issue buried below. Improper views of ecclesiology, such as Landmarkism or Roman Catholicism, place such an elevated importance to form over faith that they enslave the soul, as I can testify from my own enslavement to Landmarkism for a decade. If Christendom could ever discover the "proper" view of "church," much of what has shackled it for two millennia would fall away.R. Grannemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03236756140577644041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22575956.post-79735785306504728022008-01-03T00:04:00.000-06:002008-01-03T00:04:00.000-06:00Dear David,A fantastic response! I have been read...Dear David,<BR/><BR/>A fantastic response! I have been reading this series of posts because it so vividly talks about the issues related to where we are as an organization and convention. If you are only contributing a grain of sand, I won't even try! The days to come will be interesting; we can know who controls those days whatever the outcome may be.<BR/><BR/>Trey Atkins<BR/>IMB Croatiattohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06904251384162691451noreply@blogger.com