Tom,
   I still have a lot of posts to read to be 'current' and I am sure 
that others have responded to this, but here are my thoughts.  I can 
understand what you are saying and have to agree to an extent.  I have 
been a part of this forum since Dec or January and I have come to 
appreciate many of those who regularlly post. I have gone many rounds 
(some quite spirited) with my Baptist brothers.  I have even learned a 
great deal from them.  E.g. I never knew that some Baptists denied being 
Protestant.  But now I do.  I have not posted on this latest thread of 
Baptist history as I have been there and done that at least two other 
times (in fact my first post on the forum was about this topic!).  I am 
still not convinced that there was a continual succession of organized 
congregation(s) of baptist or baptistic churches since the time of 
Christ.  There are many inconsistencies that I have pointed out before, 
and have seen in recent posts but have not had the desire to do again 
this time around.
   Everyone on the forum has firm convictions and I don't doubt that 
some, if not all (myself included) at times have a "I am right and you 
are wrong attitude." But we must always turn to the Scriptures to be 
sure that our convictions are actually Biblical and not traditions of 
men.  I have been challenged in this greatly.  If we can all endeavor to 
do this rather than just 'tow the denominational (or idependent) line' I 
think the forum will improve greatly as well.

Peace,
Steve


Tom Watson wrote:
> Hi Pastors,
> 
>  
> 
> I came to this forum to discuss and debate. I think both are good for 
> men of God. I figured there would be men of different theological 
> thought, I’m cool with that. But, the regular posters have truly 
> one-sided agendas. Baptist agendas. I am not a Baptist, but I love 
> Baptist authors. So even though on some theological points I differ, I 
> feed on the writings of Baptist men. But the regular posters write as if 
> you are not Baptist then you are not right with God. They seem to feel 
> as if only Baptist men or ministries have anything to say to the world. 
> I’m sure one or two will reply saying: “I’ve never read that…”show me in 
> one of my posts where I’ve said that….I don’t feel like that”. But, the 
> truth is any person with common sense will say that your posts are 
> promoting BAPTIST ONLY. For example, one posts some quotes about Baptist 
> history, another posts saying “excellent post”. My opinion was: “What 
> was so excellent about it? “ But the post brought a little insight into 
> the thinking of others regarding Baptist origins etc… . Another poster 
> says about the post: “if you are trying to imply that it was and has 
> always been a "Baptist" church then I must respectfully disagree.” And 
> then a hard line Baptist poster comes and says: “Are you touchy! Jeff 
> can’t even ask a question without you blowing a gasket!” What was 
> touchy? Where is the blown gasket? In the fact that he didn’t get in 
> line with BAPTIST ONLY? Have you men been in the ministry so long that 
> you’ve lost touch with reality? I mean do you realize there other people 
> that disagree with you and are entitled to their opinions without 
> belittlement? Do you realize that others will are in the Kingdom that do 
> not attend Baptist churches?
> 
>  
> 
> Many here would accuse the Catholic church of falsely indoctrinating 
> people because they push their church as a dispenser of truth rather 
> than the Bible, but what if we push one church name over another? This 
> makes me see the point of those who say that putting a name on the 
> church is evil ( I don’t believe this). They think this way because of 
> the harsh divisive spirits of many.
> 
>  
> 
> I doubt I’ll convince anyone to change their thinking. But if you 
> consider toning down the Baptist rhetoric, you can probably further the 
> cause of Christ.
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> God bless the Baptists (-:
> 
>  
> 
> Tom
> 
>  
> 
>