David Platt has been elected as the head of the Southern Baptist International Missions Board.
And with the level of blind devotion called for on the part of a number
of prominent Southern Baptist personalities, things are not going to end
well.
From a number of statements made by former Southern Baptist Convention
President and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige
Patterson, it is doubtful most Roman Catholics follow the Pope as
uncritically.
For example, Patterson issued an ultimatum of ten demands that Southern
Baptists are expected to abide by in relation to David Platt.
For example, obligation number four reads, “Recognition that there is
not a more important man in the world than the President of the
International Missions Board because of his potential to touch so many
lives...for God.”
In that position, Platt is essentially an administrator and bureaucrat.
Should the President of the United States be praised for the brave acts of the American soldier?
Then why praise Platt over the toils of the frontline missionary?
Another demand made by Patterson in his ultimatum is even more disturbing.
Demand number seven reads, “Willingness to do whatever Dr. Platt asks
that is not contrary to our deeply held convictions and is within our
power.”
Ladies and gentleman, feel free to listen to anything David Platt has to say.
However, in the final analysis, make up your own mind as to what you will do with what the Lord has given you.
You answer to the Lord Jesus Christ, not David Platt, the Southern Baptist Convention, or any other organized church body.
For while David Platt is essentially teaching that anyone responding
with anything less than a willingness to serve as canon fodder for God
(as He no doubt whispers in Pastor Platt's ear) is a urine deprived
excuse of a Christian, if Brother Patterson had had his way, the
seminary Patterson heads would have opened its doors to eventual
Islamist takeover.
Some will snap that these kinds of observations are inaccurate or over exaggerated.
However, nearly every cult tragedy or church abuse scandal began with
these kinds of claims and admonitions suggesting how some particular
leader was so far beyond the mere pewfillers in terms of spirituality
who were obligated to bow at the feet of the exalted guru.
My advice to you is that it might be best to avoid Kool Aid offered either by David Platt or his more enthusiastic supporters.
By Frederick Meekins