DIARY OF A GRUMPY BAPTIST

by   Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner                                                                                                                 Vol. XXII, No. 1, January 2009

The working definition of an empty gesture is an action that is designed to grandstand. It is more of a show, rather than a heartfelt belief. It is intended to make a public statement rather than a personal change. In short, it is the art of getting on the evening news and showing sympathy or empathy for a particular cause.

In Christianity, it is rarely fair to call any action an empty gesture, because it demands the adjudication of motive. Jesus warned that no one can read another person’s heart except God.

However, the recent foray of Southern Baptist leaders into environmentalism, specifically the global warming theory, caused many of us to wonder if we should also sign such press releases. Do I care about the environment? Of course I do. Do I believe in global warming? No, I cannot say that I do. Do I plan to trade in my 1999 Expedition for a hybrid? Never. Like Gary Ledbetter recently said, “we should be conservationists, rather than environmentalists.”

Perhaps I am alone in this, but I do not think signing a petition about the environment will help me be a more effective witness for Christ. Especially a theory that does not even have the consensus of meteorologists, much less all scientists. At some juncture, I feel like it is not our job to posture for the cameras. It is our job to be a prophetic voice to a world more consumed with “Mother Earth” than Father God.

I wonder where such trends will lead us? Evangelists wearing wheatgrass toupees? Bibles covered in hemp? Reusing the leftover Welch’s Grape Juice we used last quarter for communion?

At a recent State Convention, I was approached by a young student in attendance, and he called me a “grumpy Baptist.” I was bemused by the statement, because I think it was code for a curmudgeon. Perhaps that is the case, but I would rather affirm the authority of Scripture, and be skeptical of scientists. After all, they have been doing the exact opposite for centuries now. It feels good to be on the other side for once.

[Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner is the President of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and Professor of Theology and History at Liberty University. He writes a regular column for The Baptist Banner. For comments, he can be reached at ecaner@liberty.edu <mailto:ecaner@liberty.edu> . For complaints, don’t bother.]