Putting Out the Fire

Baptist Fire is a paltry website, nothing more than anonymous rantings of a fool. The following may seem contradictory, but this will be my final word about it.

Proverbs 26:20-21 reads, "For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife." (emphasis mine)

When it comes to regarding foolish people, especially when their foolishness is so blatantly obvious, my thinking is let them be. Proverbs again says, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes." (26:4-5)

I have been close to some of the situations that were reported on this website and I must say that there will be no good to come in constantly taking the bait that they are throwing. Stirring up garbage on the bottom of the lake just makes the lake dirty.

I would like to believe that some loving and honest friendships can be fostered through theological discussion. In matter of fact, I have friends that disagree with "Calvinism" that I cherish and even look to for opinion and judgment. Yet, as you who know me well can attest, I have those in my life to which all spiritual attachment has been severed because of the hatred of a doctrine. Indeed, some in my life who should be my greatest spiritual companions only seek to hurl insult and breed division between us. They take every opportunity to spread the gossip of the day without extending a helping hand to those who may need and heed their counsel. Baptist Fire is nothing more than this. This website that is so committed to evangelism, which is the highest form of love to those who do not believe, does a fine job of showing its hatred for men and women, numbering in the millions, who hold a different theological position.

I can say with integrity that the most influential evangelists in my life would be labeled "Calvinist" by Baptist Fire. I have no love for man-made monikers, but if a Calvinist is what some will label me without understanding me, then that does not bother me in the least. This rubbish within our convention is a shame and, were it not so devastatingly absurd, laughable. Sometimes I truly long to be in a place where this foolishness was not an issue, but I am not so naive.

My advice is this. Cultivate loving relationships with those whom differ that will cooperate and get on with the business of sharing the gospel with a lost world. Leave the fools who will not understand in the mire that they have created for themselves. Wisdom demands such. As we who are faithful demonstrate the loving unity of the faith, those who seek to contradict will be silenced and exposed for all their shamefulness. Quit looking at this useless website. The author is anonymous and no good comes from it because the nature of it breeds contempt. Fix your eyes on Jesus, love people, stand for pure and sound doctrine, and let the fools banquet in their own grave.