MORE SUPPORT FOR E/E REPORT

I strongly support the E/E Committee report. This report reaffirms the freedom of the individual and the autonomy of each Baptist entity including the BGCT. It speaks strongly of the interest of Texas Baptists in missions. We put deeds to our words, and money where our mouth is.

The literature matter simply says we want literature that will not forfeit our cherished Baptists distinctives. We want all the writers and editors to be real Baptists . (The authority of the Bible, a personal faith, the autonomy of every church, the priesthood of every believer, the competency of each soul to approach God, and a free church in a free state.)

After eighteen years the fundamentalists have finally convinced me that the real issue among Southern Baptists really is over belief in the Bible. The fundamentalists do not believe the Bible, and those of us they have accused of not believing it are the ones who do believe it. They do not believe in Matthew 28: 18-20 and Acts 1: 8 because they give such a small percent of their gifts to missions. They do not believe John 3:16 …that whosoever believeth in Him… I am told that at least two of their seminary presidents are five point Calvinists (only the elect can be saved).

This, in effect, does away with the need for missions and evangelism. I do not personally know any Baptists who subscribe to these beliefs. Dr. Williams R. Estep, a retired church history professor from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, published an attack on SBC Calvinism in The Baptist Standard a few months ago. Estep wrote that Calvinism is logically anti-missionary, robs persons of responsibility for their conduct, and is marked by tolerance, divisiveness, and haughtiness.

A vote for the E/E Committee report says to a people called Baptists, and to all people, there is still a Baptist Convention that believes in, and honors, freedom. I personally urge you to vote for this report and for FREEDOM.

Ferris Akins
Former pastor and retired Director of Missions

October 1997