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After reading Jason Cecil's thought provoking article on the Southern Baptists, the founders of the University of Richmond, I decided to express an alternate viewpoint. Mr. Cecil humorously asserted that the Baptists constructed Westhampton Lake to prevent fornication among co-eds. If that is so, then in building the Commons, which spans the lake, did the Baptists suddenly undergo a 180 degree turn and encourage fornication? Certainly such reasoning is laughable. Earlier this year, the Southern Baptist Mission Board's prayer guide for the salvation of Jews and followers of other religions became a hot topic of discussion in Juris Publici as well as the Richmond Times front page. At the time, I wondered why the Baptists's beliefs and prayer calls warranted front page coverage. Were newspapers genuinely interested in Baptist theology and prayer life, or was the newspaper merely stirring up controversy for sales? In examining the coverage, I noted that many considered the Baptist position arrogant. I wondered whether those who disagreed with the Baptists investigated the Bible themselves and attempted to at least understand the Baptist's position. In law we are trained to examine both sides of a particular issue to sharpen our thinking; an open-minded individual would conduct such a search. Given the sensitive and mysterious nature of this issue, an honest, exhaustive search of all relevant sources is appropriate. There seems to be abundant evidence for the Baptist's position in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. Jesus asserted, " I am the way, truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me." The claim of an alternate path to salvation directly contradicts Jesus's testimony. The Bible also records Jesus's command to the disciples to tell the world the good news of the Gospel-the story of a loving God sending His Son to save the world. If the Gospel message were not significant, why would Jesus have exhorted His followers to spread their faith? History records that most of Jesus's closest followers took the charge seriously enough to give their lives in spreading the Gospel. From this, it seems the Southern Baptist view reflects that of the early church in obedience to Christ. Wouldn't you expect some consistency? Whether you agree with the Baptists or not, if you believed you had the cure to death, would you not feel morally obligated to tell others? The Juris Publici piece also contained a quote allegedly made years ago by a Baptist preacher that directly correlated homosexuals with abortion. I share Mr. Cecil's confusion about such a senseless statement. It doesn't necessarily follow, however, that one person's remark represents the view of all Southern Baptists. Presenting Baptists as ignoramuses is a First Amendment right, but I am grateful for the Baptists, for, among other things, founding my undergraduate school and the University of Richmond. The Southern Baptists also possess a First Amendment right as well. |
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