A Foundation of Sand - The SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission's Support for Paige Patterson and EIT

Yesterday, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention posted an article describing an event sponsored by, in part, the Evangelical Immigration Table (EIT) entitled "Paige Patterson calls for immigration reform, care for the immigrants among us".  To say it was disturbing is an understatement. What I found was weak support for what is a critical issue.

In the article, Dr. Patterson, President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, says, “What guarantees justice for one person often tends to take it away from another.”  That, by definition, is not "justice" but rather "advantage".  This is a very dangerous and  un-biblical view of justice; it is not a zero-sum game. Follow this line of reasoning and one would come to the blasphemous conclusion that our Just God is such "often at the expense of others". 

 Another speaker at the event, Tim C. Moore, pastor and EIT mobilizer, also uses a weak argument for the  immigration policies supported by EIT saying of the Holy Family's move to Egypt,  “I don’t find where Joseph and Mary stopped to get a visa.”  He probably got some chuckles and some ignorant nods of agreement, but this is an irresponsible comparison to make.  The move that Joseph and Mary made was under Roman jurisdiction and more accurately described as a move between states, not countries.  

Dr. Patterson states,  “In all the history of the church, when the church has become militant and taken up weapons, they have left a sad mark on the church of the living God."   I wonder if those who were under persecution and oppression yet freed by Christians taking up arms would agree with her.  War should always be the last resort, as all human life is sacred.  But one need not look far to see that God calls his people to lift up arms in defense of those who are being brutalized and cannot defend themselves.  The same compassion that leads us to care for the immigrant should lead us to lay down our lives in defense of our friends and brothers. I don't consider this a "sad mark".  I'm proud of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice and have done so with the love of Christ.

It appears to me that, once again, those in leadership positions have backed an emotional response with a cursory use of Scripture. I can understand that from lay people who are busy with work and family lives outside of professional ministry. I cannot understand it from those who hold positions responsible for the proper exegesis of Scripture and the dissemination of it to members of denominations.  

To know what God says about the role of borders, governments, immigration, individuals, development of a military and its proper use, one must do more than have a passion and a word-search. We cannot afford to be lazy here nor will we be relieved of the responsibility to know God's will.  Hebrews 5:14 reminds me that it is up to us to train ourselves to distinguish good from evil. We will make a mistake if we blindly follow those in positions higher than ourselves. 

Christian, it is up to you to seek God's will and then follow it.

If there are any of my Southern Baptist friends reading this, please consider comparing  Evangelicals For Biblical Immigration to the EIT.  (As a side note:  Eric Metaxas initially signed on with the EIT. However, after further review of the facts, withdrew his name and has been a supporter of EBI ever since.) 

  

Compassion and emotions are dangerous things and need to be checked and harnessed by a solid understanding of God's word and intent.  I think it's time for each of us and the SBC to take a step back and reevaluate.  

Before it's too late.

Previous blog on immigration: W.W.N.D. Nehemiah and Immigration Reform

Testimony of a modern legal immigrant: My Brother's Story of Becoming an American

 

“What guarantees justice for one person often tends to take it away from another.” The key will not be “social legislation,” but rather the “intervention of God.” - See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf

“What guarantees justice for one person often tends to take it away from another.” The key will not be “social legislation,” but rather the “intervention of God.” - See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf

“What guarantees justice for one person often tends to take it away from another.” The key will not be “social legislation,” but rather the “intervention of God.” - See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf

“What guarantees justice for one person often tends to take it away from another.” The key will not be “social legislation,” but rather the “intervention of God.” - See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf

Moore enumerated some of the evangelical organizations, including Southern Baptists, World Vision and Bread of Life—groups representing 68 million Christians—whose leadership is aligned with EIT principles. - See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf

While Patterson’s sermon capped the evening, the service began with remarks from Galvan and Tim C. Moore, Texas mobilizer for EIT and pastor of Walk Worthy Baptist Church in Austin.
Recounting the movement of Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus from Bethlehem to Egypt, Moore noted, “I don’t find where Joseph and Mary stopped to get a visa.”
- See more at: http://erlc.com/article/stop-playing-for-political-favor-on-immigration#sthash.ICNACr4D.dpuf