GREENSBORO, N.C. (ABP) — Declaring “our total opposition to the … consuming of alcoholic beverages,” Southern Baptist Convention messengers adopted a strongly worded resolution on the issue.
During the Resolutions Committee's initial report Wednesday morning, messengers adopted half a dozen measures ranging from conflict in Darfur, Sudan, to “the crisis of illegal immigration.” But the resolution on alcohol was the only one to spark debate.
Benjamin Cole of Dallas cautioned that abstinence is “not an essential for unity and not an essential for the proclamation of the gospel.”
Cole, one of the more prolific bloggers among younger pastors, insisted abstinence “is not a matter to die on.” His views echoed previous statements by fellow blogger Wade Burleson of Oklahoma.
Committee member Dwayne Mercer countered that Southern Baptists “have always stood for total abstinence.”
Warning that some believers advocate drinking alcohol “under the guise of freedom in Christ,” Mercer added that committee members “feel that the SBC ought to address this and be aware of what is going on all across America.”
Jim Richards, executive director of the conservative Southern Baptist of Texas Convention, proposed an amendment urging that no one be elected as a Southern Baptist entity trustee or committee member who “is a user of alcoholic beverages.”
Citing the need to “stand for holiness and purity in our walk,” Richards said, “The use of alcohol as a beverage can and does impede our testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. Our leaders should take the high road in our walk with the Lord Jesus.”
Tom Ascol of Fort Myers, Fla., spoke against the amendment. “I do not think that we can be more holy than Jesus Christ,” he said, adding that “Christ turned water into wine.”
After approving Richards' amendment on a show of ballots, messengers continued to debate the amended resolution.
One messenger emphasized the need to “take a stand against something that's destroying our nation” while another cautioned against affirming an “extrabiblical” view that could undermine the Bible's authority and sufficiency on the issue.
Citing Proverbs 23:29-35, the resolution noted that “years of research confirm biblical warnings that alcohol use leads to physical, mental and emotional damage.”
Warning that “some religious leaders are now advocating the consumption of alcoholic beverages based on a misinterpretation of the doctrine of ‘our freedom in Christ,'” the resolution commended “organizations and ministries that treat alcohol-related problems from a biblical perspective and promote abstinence.”
Messengers approved the measure on a show of ballots.
Resolutions adopted without discussion included:
— Marriage Protection Amendment. Declaring that “the sacred institution of marriage is now under destructive attack in some state and federal courts and state legislatures,” messengers urged the U.S. House of Representatives “to vote affirmatively on the Marriage Protection Amendment at the earliest possible moment and to represent the convictions of the vast majority of Americans, who believe that marriage should be only the union of one man and one woman.”
— Nomination and confirmation of federal judges. Noting that “our forefathers founded this nation under God, with freedom and liberty,” the resolution decries “certain unelected judges, who, presuming to legislate from the bench, have issued decrees that subvert the very foundation of our democratic republic.” The measure encourages President Bush “to continue nominating strict constructionist judges” and calls on the U.S. Senate “to vote without delay” on current and future judicial nominees.
— China's treatment of North Korean refugees. Detailing the “savage brutality” against millions of North Koreans by the regime of Kim Jong Il, the resolution notes prisoners “are subjected to such barbaric acts as starvation, forced abortion, rape, severe beatings, gas chambers and death.” The government of China has refused to acknowledge the refugee status of North Koreans who have fled to China, the measure adds, noting that Chinese officials return the refugees to North Korea “where they face certain imprisonment, beatings and even death.” The resolution appeals to the Chinese government to acknowledge the North Koreans' refugee status and pledges solidarity with North Korean citizens, “especially the North Korean refugees who are persecuted for conscience sake.”
— Conflict in Darfur, Sudan. Civil conflict and ethnic cleansing have “resulted in 400,000 deaths, 2.5 million persons being displaced, and 3.5 million persons living in starvation,” the resolution states. It affirms President Bush and the U.S. government “for steadfastly pursing a resolution to this humanitarian crisis.” It also urges the president and the government of Sudan to disband the Janjaweed militia and allow the United Nations peacekeeping force unlimited access to the Darfur region.
— Illegal immigration crisis. Urging the U.S. government to “enforce all immigration laws, including the laws directed at employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants,” the resolution also calls on Christians to “follow the biblical mandate of caring for the foreigners among us.” It encourages churches to “meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of all immigrants.”
In other action, messengers rejected an appeal by Ascol to consider his proposed resolution on integrity in church membership. The vote came after the Resolutions Committee declined to act on his proposal, which affirmed the practice of church discipline.
The committee also declined to take action on resolutions addressing Baptist dissent, the SBC's support for “the unjust war in Iraq,” prayer for and support of Israel, a call for an external financial audit of the International Mission Board's Central Asia region, the IMB's adopted policies on baptism and private prayer language, doctrinal parameters of cooperation, and the exercise of religious freedom and freedom of speech “to make America a better place.”
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