You raise an interesting prospect, one I believe spawned a great deal of philosophical debate resulting in certain critiques of fundamentalism. Even more, I think our ever increasing pronouncements on what makes one a true Baptist, and Southern Baptist, are meaningless when our penchant for doctrinal exactness eclipses the transforming work of the Good News effected by the Triune God in ways that defy our descriptions.

Debbie,

I do not want to get in a numbers debate. Let me just note, I do not think we get to gate-keep by keeping numbers. I distinctly recall Jesus illustrating the point by turning the notion upside down that those who talk alot about being in may find themselves outside the pale of the Kingdom.

Mean while the world laughsâ?¦and looks for hope, peace and redemption somewhere else

That is the price that is being paid for this kind of thinking Camel. That can be shown in the numbers, which are dropping steadily. I just don’t want to pay that price, and for the very reasons you mentioned in your comment. Good thoughts.

You note one among many. You may want to take a look at the Wade Burleson’s post today for another illustration. As for sufficiency of the Scriptures – yes, it should be the trump in the conversation.

When the convention passed their latest resolution condemning the drinking of a glass of wine at your daughters weddingâ?¦ quickly followed by many in the current SBC Leadership writing article after article defending this unbiblical resolution by stating â??We know the Bible does not forbid the drinking of wine, BUT ____ (insert any number of reasons)â?¦ One need not be a prophet to see that the SBC may pay lip service to the words â??Inerrancy of the Bibleâ?, but they really do not believe in the Sufficiency of the Bible at all.

And until you accept the Sufficiency (thatâ??s code for Authority) of the Bible, then saying it is Inerrant is really meaningless.

Grace Always,