A Day of Reckoning

I grew up Catholic, and still love many things about the Catholic church. I no longer count myself as Catholic anymore though. There are too many things in their official positions of belief with which I disagree. Does this mean I’m right and they’re wrong? Well, yes. Of course. If I didn’t think that, then why would I disagree? But does it mean they are critically (mortally) wrong and beyond all hope? Of course not. I know Catholics who are stronger believers in the salvation offered by Jesus Christ than a lot of “professing” Christians. But again, there are just some crucial issues on which we disagree.

Here’s the thing. I’ve long considered myself a non-denominational Christian. Long ago (as I served in the military), my dog tags listed my religious affiliation as “None.” Not because I didn’t believe in anything, but rather, because although I did believe in God, I didn’t affiliate with any particular Christian religion. By the time I left the military, I had reached the point of clarity where my dog tags read “Christian, Non-Denominational.”

And I still am.

I was saved (came to an understanding and acceptance of the truth of Jesus Christ and his death for me) in a Korean Presbyterian Church. I attended a non-denominational evangelical “church” in Texas (I put it in quotes because once I learned that the pastor was an open and unrepentant adulterer, I could no longer consider it reliable in conveying the truth), and then a non-denominational church that had its origins in the Church of Christ. I have been going to a Baptist church for several years now — I’m even a member — not because it’s “Baptist” (affiliated with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention), but because it’s faithful to the Bible.

Still, there are other reasons why I’m not affiliated with a denomination. Primary of which is that, despite the good that can be done if people band together, there really is no call in the Bible to form these mega-organizations “ruled” by small groups of men. I understand the need for elders and church government in small bodies, but those are hard enough to call into account. The larger the body, the more corrupt and distant will be its leaders (maybe it’s a bit like local government compared to federal government. Local elected officials are more likely to answer to and care for the people they serve).

A year ago, Russell Moore, a man of integrity and vision resigned from his position with the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Moore was outspoken in his criticism of SBC support for President Trump, but he actually left over two other main issues — the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of widespread allegations of sexual abuse, and the convention’s handling of matters concerning racial reconciliation. I can’t say that Moore was prophetic in his timing — stating the obvious is not prophecy. But it was only a matter of time, and sure enough, that time has arrived for the SBC. An independent task force has confirmed the atrocious behavior of its Executive Committee in their handling of sexual assault allegations, and the word is out. I won’t get into the details, as horrible as they are, but I did want to share this article by Moore in Christianity Today. I also want to share the letter Moore wrote when he left the E&RLC and SBC last year.

Finally, here is the Guidepost (task force) report.

I share all of this because I believe there should be an accounting. I believe these men should not get away with it. They never should have gotten away with it. Far too many people have gotten away with it because they used their power over and manipulated weak-minded people to live the lives they so cherish now. And that this could happen among men who say they believe in the God of the Bible leaves a lot of room for thought — what do they really believe?

Who knows? But of one thing we can be sure — it’s certainly time they face their day of reckoning.