Posted on 08/17/2015 7:29:31 PM PDT by massmike
A historic Baptist church in South Carolina that gave rise to the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention has adopted a new non-discrimination policy that will allow its leadership to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies and also ordain open homosexuals.
First Baptist Church of Greenville, South Carolina, was founded in 1831. Though the churchs organizer, William Bullein Johnson, became the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the church parted ways with the Southern Baptist Convention in 1999.
Late last year, members of the congregation gathered in small groups to discuss the churchs position on homosexuality. Eventually, the members concluded that being open and welcoming to all people is part of the essential nature of our community of faith.
Jim Dant, the senior minister, described the decision-making process as a beautiful, internal discussion, and says he doesnt care what others think about the congregations unorthodox viewpoints on sexuality.
Dant believes the Bibles teachings on family values are not applicable today.
Though most members reportedly supported the decision, other Christians in the area expressed dismay at the churchs departure from biblical Christianity.
I cant believe the stance that First Baptist Church of Greenville is taking on this same-sex marriage abomination, Nancy Goodwin, a resident of nearby Simpsonville, wrote in a letter to The Greenville News. Evidently they have just thrown out the words of God on this subject. The idea that a gay man can teach a boys class is so wrong.
They say, What we believe about marriage and family is culturally driven, not biblically driven, she continued. Wonder what Bible theyre using. Certainly not the one I use. This is so sad. This church needs our prayers.
(Excerpt) Read more at christiannews.net ...
Dant believes the Bibles teachings on family values are not applicable today.
so can’t find a biblical scripture to back up your embrace of heathans and you toss the bible.
guess Dant would object to Jesus telling the adulterer to sin no more cause the at the time there was an anything goes sexuality so Jesus should have embraced that instead of telling people to embrace morality!!
seems a bit unusual for a Baptist church to go off the rails and toss the Bible in the toilet like this.
usually its one of several other denominations
I doubt it. Their crusades against Christianity aren't motivated by a desire to become full fledged members of the churches. It's motivated by a desire to ruin Christianity, which they feel spurned by and thus hate.
It is just an old building with abominable sin inside.
> Olsteen and the rest of the big boys will be close behind.
The increased take in the offering plates seems to be more important than God to most of these fraudsters. I guess they cater to the homos since they usually have more expendable income not having any kids.
We know you can’t serve two masters. They don’t even pretend to serve two. Money is their god.
> We know you cant serve two masters. They dont even pretend to serve two. Money is their god.
When I left the Baptist church after so many years and went to a holy spirit filled church I realized I had never worshipped God before. That’s the reason I have no doubt that the Baptist Church will embrace sodomy. Dogma and rituals is not worship, its like being married to a wife but not loving her. You’re just going through the motions with no accountability or heart.
If this can happen in Greenville, it can happen anywhere. This is a rock-solid Bible Belt town.
Then again, with adultery so openly rampant around these parts, I suppose it was only a matter of time.
However we are warned not to get too chummy with them. I'm pretty sure it's because they carry and disperse plagues.
I definitely would not knowingly get in the same pool of water with one. That kinda makes Baptism impossible, unless your the 1st Catholic Baptist church. And I still don't want one sprinkling anything on me!
I hope Lot's angels are ready to evacuate some people. It's long overdue.
I don’t go to the Baptist Church anymore either. (Right now I’m not going to any church.) The Baptist Church has changed a lot over the years.
Olsteen’s father was Baptist. Joel decided to move away from the SBC so he wouldn’t have to give money to them and he wouldn’t have to work by their rules.
The Shook boys’ father was a Baptist.
They all worship money, no different than Hillary, and don’t want to lose that tax exempt status. Nor do they want to offend anyone who might make a donation this Sunday or buy some books.
Most people believe more in A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away, than believe the very first verse!
This is a Creation! It's not the REAL WORLD! Just a super sophisticated simulation of the REAL WORLD. So sophisticated that most residents have no comprehension or the ability to comprehend, that it is what it is, even when the first Word clearly states it to be.
excellent point
They, like many churches, have raised the bright pink flag of surrender. This administration has turned the choice into a matter of financial survival. A blatant disrespect of many Christian faiths.They may lose their tax exempt status.
Unless he repents, he will perish precisely that way. May God grant him repentance and faith.
You either believe the word of God was the same in 1831 as it is in 2015 or you believe that you can make it up as you go along. One is theologically sound the other is a cover for showmanship and fraud.
Too many churches took in congregants with greedy eyes and designs on controlling the wealth the church forefathers built.
“When I left the Baptist church after so many years and went to a holy spirit filled church I realized I had never worshipped God before. Thats the reason I have no doubt that the Baptist Church will embrace sodomy.”
Odd. I’ve been a baptist for about 40 years, moved repeatedly while in the military and never had a problem finding a spirit-led church. And the SBC has been quite vocal about resisting homosexuality - far more so than most denominations.
Sorry your experience was otherwise, but you are using a broad brush...
Won’t happen. The faithful will leave only to be replaced with a person who only goes once in a blue moon to get a feeling of absolution. They won’t be a part of the congregation other than irregular attendance. The older members will die off, the young heathens who run it will break the pigfy bank and reward themselves as they sell the church land and move to another congregation to finish out their lives in wealth and ease as any kids they have celebrate their pagan faith.
Sick, depraved and blasphemous.
Oliver B. Greene is rolling over in his grave. He is an evangelist from Greenville, S.C. Greatest preacher I ever heard.
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