What Does the Bible Say?

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is holding their annual meeting this week in Dallas. On Tuesday, as reported by Kate Shellnutt in Christianity Today magazine, several resolutions were passed with little or no debate that many today would dispute.

The SBC reaffirmed it’s long standing opposition to gambling, pornography, abortion and same-sex marriage. Furthermore, they are calling on the US government to ban these harmful and sinful practices.

One strongly worded SBC resolution read: “We urge the United States Congress and state legislatures to enact comprehensive laws that ban the creation, publication, hosting, and distribution of pornographic content in all media … in the ultimate effort to eradicate pornography nationwide.”

Regarding gambling the SBC said the industry “fosters a culture of greed while specifically exploiting and preying upon young adults, the impoverished, and those with addictive personality traits.”

“The SBC also approved wide-ranging resolutions on marriage, gender, and sexuality, which included calling for Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage in 2015, to be overturned along with other laws and rulings that ‘defy God’s design for marriage and family.’”

Furthermore, “the marriage, gender, and sexuality resolution also spoke out against laws that recognize transgender identity, including in sports, and in favor of government incentives for growing families ‘in life-affirming ways’”

Here are two thoughts for your consideration.

#1 While I question some of the theology of the SBC and even it’s organizational existence, I must applaud their willingness to speak out against cultural sins that have become pervasive today.

Too many churches today have compromised their moral integrity to appease either a vocal minority, or popular practices that many people relegate to personal choice. “Let’s live and let live…everyone has a right to their own opinion,” is a common refrain.

Remaining silent, relenting, and retreating on God’s standard is the very opposite of the example of first century preachers and Christians. When commanded not to preach anymore in the name of Jesus, Peter and John refused to obey. They retorted, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Furthermore they asserted, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Ax. 4:19-20; 5:29).

We need more preachers, pastors, and churches to rise up like the apostles and speak “with all boldness.”

#2 Remember that the aforementioned sins are not sins because of a resolution passed by the SBC.

Churches don’t decide right and wrong. Religious leaders are not the authority regarding moral considerations. If we allow a creed, conference, synod, or elected spiritual leader to become the standard of authority, then we are left in a state of chaos and confusion.

Some churches have sided with the homosexual agenda and see nothing wrong with it. In fact, they endorse same-sex marriage. The design and structure of the family unit is not agreed upon by all religious leaders. Some churches actually allow and participate in gambling activities. There are pastors, preachers and churches who believe abortion should be permitted. So, who’s right? The SBC, or other denominational churches/preachers?

Right is right, and wrong is wrong, because God decreed it. He sets the standard. And He has revealed His will and Word for us in the book we call the Bible. He hasn’t given me or you a vote in matters of morality and religious practices.

Through the years as I’ve studied with people, the question is occasionally asked regarding a particular issue, “What does the church of Christ believe about that?

My standard response reminds them that neither the church of Christ, or any other church has a right to determine the answer to their question. The real question should always be, “What does the Bible say?”

This affirmation by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 should always be the basis of our beliefs.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The verses teaches 5 important principles.

• The Scripture shows you what is right.
• The Scripture shows you what is wrong.
• The Scripture helps you get right.
• The Scripture helps you stay right.
• The Scripture equips you for every righteous work.

While I appreciate the SBC’s moral stand, let’s remember to always ask, “What does the Bible say?”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman