RECONCILIATION REQUIRED BEFORE RENEWAL
By Mark Wingfield

I agree with Ronnie Floyd: The Southern Baptist Convention surely could benefit from a God-given dose of spiritual renewal, and a call for prayer and fasting is a step in the right direction.

But I disagree with Floyd, chairman of the SBC Executive Committee, on his notion of the other precursors to spiritual renewal outlined when he delivered the convention sermon at last week’s SBC annual meeting.

Floyd, pastor of First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark., said God told him to call all Southern Baptist churches together in a week of prayer and fasting for spiritual revival. God revealed the plan to him on the 22nd day of a 40-day fast, the pastor said.

Floyd said the SBC is now ready for a spiritual awakening because conservatives who affirm biblical inerrancy have won their battle for control of the convention and are implementing a denominational restructuring plan.

His speech was given at the same meeting where the new SBC president, Tom Elliff, told reporters that anyone who doesn’t interpret the Bible as literally as he and other SBC conservatives do ought to “repent.” The implication was that one must be his kind of biblical inerrantist to be a true Christian.

Floyd’s speech was given the same week Elliff’s brother-in-law, Bailey Smith, told the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference that editors of publications like the Western Recorder have halted “God’s revival” by speaking out against conservatives’ political movements.

These three interrelated claims sure are interesting, but sure aren’t biblical.

Nowhere in the Bible, given by divine inspiration from God through men and women of old, will you find a passage declaring belief in the SBC’s political brand of biblical inerrancy as a requirement for becoming a Christian or standing in right relationship with God. Jesus’ call to repentance recorded in the New Testament is a call to turn from walking toward Adam’s death and begin walking toward new life through confessing Jesus Christ as Lord.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved,” Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer in a summary of the plan of salvation. That’s as literal an interpretation of God’ s message in the Bible as you can find, and it doesn’t mention a word about repenting because one doesn’t affirm biblical inerrancy.

I also have searched the Bible in vain for any reference to denominational restructuring as a precursor to spiritual awakening.

To understand the context of Floyd’s message better, remember he spoke at the same meeting where Elliff was elected president without opposition—the first unopposed election for a first-term office in 50 years. Elliff’s election was a clear indication that Southern Baptist moderates and centrists have been drummed out of any hope for significant involvement in their national convention.

To declare that the SBC is now ready for revival because one faction has consolidated power and silenced any competition from brothers and sisters in Christ with differing viewpoints is not God’s way.

In fact, Jesus himself said: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Floyd is right that the SBC and our entire nation need spiritual renewal. He is right to call for prayer and fasting to prepare the way.

But how can one stand at the altar of God and declare the pathway to revival has been cleared while the stench of division, power-plays and partisan politics hangs heavy in the air? How can one call for a united appeal to God when the body remains sorely divided?

If revival and renewal are to come to Southern Baptists, repentance and reconciliation must come first. If Floyd and other SBC leaders want to bring about revival, they should seek reconciliation with their Baptist brothers and sisters who have been cut off and cast aside.

That kind of humility could not fail to induce a great awakening.

Mark Winfield is editor of the Western Recorder, the Kentucky State Baptist paper. This article is reprinted by permission from their June 18 issue.

August 1996