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 ...
Those WHAT?
I've got news for Apostate Dant: marriage is discrimination. That's the whole point.
re the list of Affiliations: Anything with Duke University and theology in the same organization is already down the tubes.
When I grow up; I wanna play chess like verga.
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