Resolutions Stake Our Claim                                             

                                                                                                                                           
by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                     Vol. IX, No. 8, September 1996

           It is true as some people are fond of pointing out that resolutions have no binding effect. They are simply the expression of opinion of those messengers present and voting at a Baptist meeting. The implication of such an argument is that resolutions are unimportant.

           But such a position is wrong. It amounts merely to an effort to avoid dealing with the fact that the assembled body has expressed its judgment. And such expression of belief should carry considerable weight in defining what the group stands for and where it is going.

           And so it is with the resolutions passed by the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia annual meeting 16 September. Two expressed appreciation: one to the host church, Grove Avenue BC of Richmond, and its pastor, Ron Boswell; and the second to The Baptist Banner and myself, its editor, for our contribution to the conservative cause in Virginia. Both these resolutions were gracious and received with deep appreciation.

           But it is the three substantive resolutions which plant stakes helping to define our boundaries, to tell folks who we as conservative Virginia Baptists are and who we will with the Lord’s help remain. These three resolutions are printed below for your interest. If you don’t know what the SBCV stands for, these resolutions will do much to help you understand us.

Resolution on a Christian Response to Homosexuality

Whereas God, who is both the Moral Ruler of the universe and the Creator of all that is, and who knows and understands the physical and psychological composition of all and every human life better than any human scientist will ever know it, has stated in Scripture that homosexual conduct is always an abomination for all human beings, both men and women, in all circumstances, without exception (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13); and

Whereas God makes it clear in Scripture that even a desire to engage in a homosexual relationship is always sinful, impure, degrading, shameful, unnatural, indecent, and perverted (Romans 1:24-27); and

Whereas, in contrast, marriage is established in the order of creation to be a permanent union of one man with one woman (Genesis 1:28, 2:24), and marriage is therefore first and foremost a divine institution (Matthew 19:6) and only secondarily a cultural and civil institution; and

Whereas homosexual practice dramatically injures not only the spiritual but also the physical health of its victims with scientific study demonstrating that the median age at death of homosexual men with AIDS is only 39 years and of homosexual men without AIDS is only 42, compared to 75 for married, nondivorced men, and

Whereas American "culture" today promotes homosexuality as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, with even many government and public school programs participating, and

Whereas the Southern Baptist Convention has repeatedly stated its abhorrence of homosexuality, through resolutions at the annual meetings in 1976, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1991, and 1996, and

Whereas Christians are called upon to confront sin in themselves and others to the glory of God and the salvation of souls, which is the ultimate good of the sinner himself,

Now therefore, be it resolved that the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia call upon all Southern Baptists to pray continuously for those enmeshed in this abhorrent practice, minister to them with Christian charity, and work fervently to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and

Be it further resolved that the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia urge each Christian to work within our local, state, and national governments to oppose the promotion of homosexuality through governmental law and regulation, and

Be it finally resolved that the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, while recognizing the autonomy of each level of Baptist polity, express our unalterable conviction that no practicing homosexual is qualified in God's eyes to fill any responsible denominational post in any of the four levels of Baptist life.

Resolution on Abortion

Whereas God states in His perfect Word that He hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17); and

Whereas abortion on demand continues at a phenomenal rate; and

Whereas President Clinton refused to sign a bill barring partial birth abortions; and

Whereas all abortion clearly kills babies;

Be it resolved that we, the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, resolve to educate our members and society about the injustice and sinfulness of abortion; and

Be it further resolved that we encourage our members to be educated and informed about the position that elected officials take on abortion; and

Be it further resolved that we encourage our members to support those candidates for public office who are committed to pro-life positions; and

Be it finally resolved that we as individuals, churches, and a fellowship start and /or support ministries that serve unwed mothers and save babies lives.

Resolution on Southern Baptist Seminaries

Whereas for many years there was concern among conservatives about the theological integrity of our Southern Baptist Seminaries; and

Whereas our seminary Presidents have under the leadership of conservative trustees embarked on a courageous "corrective course" which has brought our seminaries more in line with our historic Baptist position and that held by the majority of grassroots Southern Baptists; and

Whereas Baptist life in Virginia is impacted greatly by our seminaries and due to proximity we are especially affected by Southeastern Seminary, in that Southeastern supplies many who serve in churches in Virginia; and

Whereas student enrollment is at a record level at Southeastern, spiritual life is at an all-time high, and missions has been given a new and high priority; now, therefore,

Be it resolved, that we the messengers attending the meeting of the SBCV in Richmond on September 16, 1996 do hereby declare our heartfelt appreciation for Dr. Paige Patterson and all the seminary presidents, trustees, faculties, and staff members for the work they are doing among our sons and daughters, and for the kingdom of God as a whole.