For the last year after Jerry Rankin announced his retirement, we have read a similar statement to the one printed in the Sept. 25 Biblical Recorder. This one is a quote from trustee chairman Jimmy Pritchard: “We have one purpose and that is to find God’s man.”

Since our greatest single mission offering each year is named for a woman and since at any given time of any year more women serve on the foreign field than men, one wonders about this automatic exclusion. May we receive the New Testament references for this?

One thing I have often observed and wondered about in my 10 years as a Southern Baptist is this: why is it that anytime we elect someone to a denominational leadership position, the first thing that people start griping about is that person’s (or the church’s) giving record to the Cooperative Program (CP)? I hear it just about every time a state or national convention comes around. 

And now, the North American Mission Board presidential search committee is recommending someone whose church has reportedly given millions to Great Commission efforts around the world (according to the trustee chairman’s letter), and it’s the same old rigmarole: “Well, they could have given more” or “More should have been funneled through the CP.” 

Is CP giving by itself really that important a criterion? Could this be one of the reasons why some younger pastors are reconsidering their relationship with the SBC? As a young pastor myself, I just don’t get it.

I do not agree with your editorial on a mosque in Manhattan and I can see no benefit in your publishing your beliefs on this issue in this space. Surely there are many other problems in our world today that are not as controversial as this one. This is a state of New York problem and has no direct impact on North Carolina.

I pray you will reconsider carrying the advertisement for “Nanny McPhee Returns,” which promotes witchcraft and magic. Consider these verses:

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 — “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”

1 John 2:15-16 — “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Please remember the request of the people who come to your web site.

John 12:21 — “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

1 John 2:26 — “I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.” I will continue to pray that the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified in whatever your decision will be.

Great article! (BR, Aug. 28) Thanks for having the courage to speak the truth. It is right on target and I hope that you don’t become a target for those who do not understand our great liberties.  


Bob Ferguson

High Point, N.C.

Great article! (BR, Aug. 28) Thanks for having the courage to speak the truth. It is right on target and I hope that you don’t become a target for those who do not understand our great liberties.  


Bob Ferguson

High Point, N.C.

Thank you so much for your editorial (Mosque in Manhattan) in the Biblical Recorder. I had about given up that most Baptists knew how we stood on separation of church and state.

We are a nation of diverse and wonderful people. It does not say on the Statue of Liberty, “give me your tired and hungry, only if you are Christian.” Thanks again for your insight and courage to speak out.

Thank you so much for your editorial (Mosque in Manhattan) in the Biblical Recorder. I had about given up that most Baptists knew how we stood on separation of church and state.

We are a nation of diverse and wonderful people. It does not say on the Statue of Liberty, “give me your tired and hungry, only if you are Christian.” Thanks again for your insight and courage to speak out.

In an editorial dated August 23 (online), Norman Jameson asks a question concerning the issue in regard to the proposed building of a mosque near the site of the Islamist terrorist act of 9/11.

And Jameson has the answer for his question. He argues that the issue is that we (the 70 percent of Americans who oppose the site of the mosque) “could not bear the insult . . .”

Insult? The destruction of the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, the bombing of the Pentagon, the destruction of the plane and its passengers who were destined to destroy the White House, and the loss of more than 3,000 lives on that day of infamy is an insult? 

Scripture says “a person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger and it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11, NET) but the incredible carnage of 9/11 should be considered an insult?

I find that incredibly insensitive to all Americans and especially to those who lost loved ones on that dreadful day.

And I have a question for editor Jameson: Are you aware of a single Iman or any muslim leader in the U.S. who condemned the terrorist act of 9/11? If so, let them build that mosque but not at ground zero.

In an editorial dated August 23 (online), Norman Jameson asks a question concerning the issue in regard to the proposed building of a mosque near the site of the Islamist terrorist act of 9/11.

And Jameson has the answer for his question. He argues that the issue is that we (the 70 percent of Americans who oppose the site of the mosque) “could not bear the insult . . .”

Insult? The destruction of the north and south towers of the World Trade Center, the bombing of the Pentagon, the destruction of the plane and its passengers who were destined to destroy the White House, and the loss of more than 3,000 lives on that day of infamy is an insult? 

Scripture says “a person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger and it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Prov. 19:11, NET) but the incredible carnage of 9/11 should be considered an insult?

I find that incredibly insensitive to all Americans and especially to those who lost loved ones on that dreadful day.

And I have a question for editor Jameson: Are you aware of a single Iman or any muslim leader in the U.S. who condemned the terrorist act of 9/11? If so, let them build that mosque but not at ground zero.