Supports Haun
I felt a great deal of sadness and a broken heart when I read the article “Tennessee Pastor Resigns As IMB Trustee” in the Baptist & Reflector.
I have known Dean Haun since 1985 when he was pastor of First Baptist Church, Sparta. I am a retired pastor and have had many conversations with Brother Dean throughout the years. He is a godly man who walks daily with his Lord and he has been a faithful pastor/preacher of God’s Word. He has been a mighty prayer warrior with and for me and many other pastors all across our Southern Baptist Convention.
I stand with Brother Dean on his decision to resign as a trustee of the IMB. May God give us many more pastors like Dean Haun! We live in perilous times and it is time all our leaders of God’s churches and entities stand strong and together.
It is my fervent prayer that the International Mission Board and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission will unanimously reconsider their signing of the amicus brief. To my knowledge, these entities had no authority from our Southern Baptist Convention to sign the amicus brief.
— Carl Scarlett, Cookeville
Applauds Decision
Dean Haun’s resignation as a trustee of the International Mission Board due to its decision to sign an amicus brief in support of a mosque to be built in New Jersey should be applauded by every pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention.
He quoted the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 6:14-15 as giving a biblical mandate for Christianity not to form an “ungodly scriptural alliance” with any false religion.
Regardless of David Platt’s statement rationalizing the action of the IMB, it is indeed a sad day for Southern Baptists when we forget that saved people purchased by the blood of Christ have now been identified through the amicus brief as standing with, as Haun stated, “a geo-political movement that seeks to replace our values and even our faith with Sharia law.” This movement has vowed to eradicate everyone who does not adhere to the teachings of Islam. Once an amicus brief is filed it becomes part of the official case record.
In seeking to affirm religious liberty two of our most visible entities in the SBC have neglected their Christian responsibility. Religious expediency has nullified spiritual correctness. And the ones most damaged by these actions are once again those who have been called to defend the faith — namely our missionaries.
— Jerry Drace, Friendsville
Religious Liberty
Regarding Pastor Dean Haun’s resignation as trustee of the International Mission Board, despite his protestation otherwise, I do not believe he really does understand religious liberty implications. Religious liberty is simply not liberty at all unless it is for all. Rejecting and/or denying liberty for one group while claiming it for ourselves is not liberty. It is tyranny, and simply not a Christian concept.
Therefore, I commend the IMB for signing the amicus brief supporting rights of Muslims to build the mosque in New Jersey. Contrary to Haun’s opinion, I believe this does fit with, and in fact actively supports, the IMB’s mission to spread the gospel throughout the world. We want our IMB missionaries to have the right to share their faith and to build local houses of worship for growing Christians in other countries. Thus, it is simply the right action for the IMB to support others’ rights to do the same here in the United States.
He also muses that Muslims would not stand up for our religious liberty. But Christ did not teach a tit-for-tat doctrine. He did the right thing regardless of what the responses of others would be, in fact, even when He knew the response would not be in kind. To imitate our Lord we, also, must do the right thing regardless of response.
— Ken Tatum, Tullahoma
Disappointed
I am very disappointed to read that the International Mission Board and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission filed a brief supporting the building of a mosque in New Jersey. I always felt that God was pleased with Israel’s kings and people when they tore down the groves, temples, and idols of foreign worship.
Also, in my experience, Jesus would not have supported the building of a temple to Molich or a church for the purpose of worshiping Satan. I feel their stand on this subject lessens my support for the IMB and the continuance of this type of stand will further hurt the good work of the IMB.
— Truley Ponder, Shelbyville