Baal-Loving Baptists, Canaanite Christianity:
Why Restorative Justice is Incompatible with
Southwest Baptist University and
Missouri Baptist Convention
Social, Political, and Cultural Ethics
The question Marie has been asked is: Why does she now feel that First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University, and the Missouri Baptist Convention are incapable of participating in the Restorative Justice Process?
The short answer: Because the ethical and social systems in general (and of repentance and forgiveness, specifically) of these organizations (and many, though certainly not all, of the individual members) more closely resemble the social, political, and cultural ethics of the Canaanites and those early Israelites, who -- in defiance of the warnings of the prophets -- continued to worship within the phallocentric fertility/sex and war cult of the Ba'als.
Marie cited the the story of the clan of Benjamin, which is recorded in a troubling, tragic and perhaps even sordid passage in JUDGES 19:1- 21:25.
Here are the links for this passage in: the New International Version, the King James Version, and the New Living Translation. (Over a dozen other English translations are also available at this excellent site by selecting the alternative translation from the menu.)
Marie makes extensive use of this passage when outlining THE CHOICE for the past and present pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar (see here).
As the scripture records: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." The individuals at First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University, and the Missouri Baptist Convention (who are associated with this conflict) act in much the same manner.
Their religion is entirely egocentric: It is about them -- always and in all ways. The Restorative Justice Process requires too much reflection, contemplation and empathy, too much time, patience, maturity, and tolerance.
When thwarted or frustrated, these individuals become abusive. Not one of their leaders disciplines them or regulates their conduct. In fact, the governance provides support and encouragement for their outrages.
If given the opportunity, they can and will brutalize, destroy family and friends, thieve, pillage, rape, and plunder, and eventually murder anyone who defies them.
People who get in their way get hurt.
After much prayer, Marie believes the best that she can do is offer a resolution that is brief and simple, endeavoring to stay as far away from them as possible during the process ... and hastening, when it is resolved, to run as far away as she can safely manage.
THE CHOICE LETTER is to be posted SHORTLY, to be followed by the introductory complaint to Southwest Baptist University's accreditation agency.
The short answer: Because the ethical and social systems in general (and of repentance and forgiveness, specifically) of these organizations (and many, though certainly not all, of the individual members) more closely resemble the social, political, and cultural ethics of the Canaanites and those early Israelites, who -- in defiance of the warnings of the prophets -- continued to worship within the phallocentric fertility/sex and war cult of the Ba'als.
Marie cited the the story of the clan of Benjamin, which is recorded in a troubling, tragic and perhaps even sordid passage in JUDGES 19:1- 21:25.
Here are the links for this passage in: the New International Version, the King James Version, and the New Living Translation. (Over a dozen other English translations are also available at this excellent site by selecting the alternative translation from the menu.)
Marie makes extensive use of this passage when outlining THE CHOICE for the past and present pastors of First Baptist Church of Bolivar (see here).
As the scripture records: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." The individuals at First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University, and the Missouri Baptist Convention (who are associated with this conflict) act in much the same manner.
Their religion is entirely egocentric: It is about them -- always and in all ways. The Restorative Justice Process requires too much reflection, contemplation and empathy, too much time, patience, maturity, and tolerance.
When thwarted or frustrated, these individuals become abusive. Not one of their leaders disciplines them or regulates their conduct. In fact, the governance provides support and encouragement for their outrages.
If given the opportunity, they can and will brutalize, destroy family and friends, thieve, pillage, rape, and plunder, and eventually murder anyone who defies them.
People who get in their way get hurt.
After much prayer, Marie believes the best that she can do is offer a resolution that is brief and simple, endeavoring to stay as far away from them as possible during the process ... and hastening, when it is resolved, to run as far away as she can safely manage.
THE CHOICE LETTER is to be posted SHORTLY, to be followed by the introductory complaint to Southwest Baptist University's accreditation agency.
