Being that I got into this blogging game a little late I have some catching up to do. In the near future I will post a transcript of the August 29th sermon at SWBTS that got me into this situation in the first place. For now I will leave you with an email from Todd Pylant, Pastor of First Baptist Church in Benbrook, TX. With his permission I am going to share both his email and his sermon dealing with a private prayer language. I hope that they bless you as much as they have blessed me.
~Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.
Dwight,
I graduated from SWBTS in 1993, and I affirm, believe in, and practice a so called “private prayer language.” I only tell you to let you know you are not the only Baptist pastor who does so. I do not teach my congregation to do so, and I have never practiced it in the pulpit or in any public gathering. However, I believe the “inerrant Word of God” when it tells us not to forbid the speaking in tongues.
I am appalled that the seminary that taught me about “sola scripture” and birthed a high view of Scripture within my soul has so quickly discarded certain verses that don’t fit their position. I am amazed how quickly historic Baptist doctrines (we are not creedal people, local church autonomy, priesthood of the believer, etc) are being shelved one by one. The proper interpretation of Scripture now rests with the authorities, the very issue that birthed the Reformation.
Thank you for having the courage to be the only one in the room that voted against the resolution. Thank you for risking your personal peace simply to speak the Word of God.
In Christ,
Todd Pylant
Pastor First Baptist Church of Benbrook, TX
October 27, 2006 at 12:14 pm
I whole heartidly agree with this pastor’s letter and thank you as well.
October 27, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Todd’s letter demonstrates what happens when we embrace the inerrancy of Scripture. Once we believe that all of the Bible is the Word of God, we begin to evaluate everything we believe, teach, and practice in light of what the Bible actually says. On a number of issues we find that the traditional Southern Baptist view is not the only one that has biblical support. On some issues, we even find that the traditional Southern Baptist view has a weaker biblical foundation than other views.
October 28, 2006 at 7:35 am
Rev. McKissic:
Thanks for posting this for all to see.
Dr. Hobbs said that the “fundamental Baptist distinctive” was the competency of the soul in religious matters. I agree. Perhaps the greater offense of recent events is the encroachment on that, by recent developments and pronouncements.
Whether we agree on all points of doctrine is irrelevant. In fact, where all agree too much, none think very much. But I can tell you this: I can identify with you in one respect, as once while leading prayer in a Deacon’s meeting, I spontaneously prayed in an unknown tongue.
Needless to say, that caused somewhat of a stir, but the chairman was forced to go home and study the issue closely, and he could but conclude what was happened was biblical.
Even if not “baptist”.
That in itself is interesting. And pertinent.