Inerrancy Error

May 15, 2008

It’s interesting when you look back sometimes at the journey one has travelled. How was it that we took certain paths? Who led us down those roads and why did we follow anyway. I guess the GOOD NEWS is that we no longer are on what were apparent detours, but super highways that take us more directly to the presence of God.

I was a dedicated foot soldier in my 20′s and 30′s.

When W. A. Criswell came out with his book, “Why I Preach That The Bibe Is Literally True”, I was a staunch defender. The thought never occured to me that the president of the First Baptist Church of Dallas and respected leader could ever say anything that wasn’t true. I didn’t even think to question the fact that inerrancy had NEVER been a Baptist doctrine.

We were totally righteous you know.

And it never occured to me that Baily Smith, SBC president in 1980 could be wrong when he said that “God Almighty does not hear the prayers ofa Jew”. I assumed God “heard” all prayers- how could He not? But what Smith meant was that God wouldn’t pay any attention to the prayers of a jew because they were Jews! Who are Christians anyway?

It never crossed my mind that God threw them into the Jewish gene pool, so wouldn’t God at least have some guilt for their not being able to get their prayers heard. Did we Christians here in the Bible belt win the lottery gene pool. How great for us!

How bad for all others!

And when Judge Paul Pressler commissioned me to being a “runner” and recruit small Baptist churches to uphold the Southern Baptist creed, I never gave it a second thought. Off this private in God’s army went. It never occured to me that my wife might not have liked the SBC resolution in 1984 that said women MUST submit to their husbands. Why? Well, because God loved us men more. That’s why He created us first! And women came from us MEN! This made complete sense even though their might have been an ulterior motive for such belief.

How cool and blessed are we males?

I could labor on, however the point is made. I just BELIEVED! I never questioned. I never strayed from the corporate mantra. Bottom line is that I was really to dumb and to lazy to become educated. It was so much easier to have the pastor and deacons think for me.

Easier yes. But is that the goal for us who follow Jesus, the Christ?

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary