Based upon a twisted view of Scripture, a NC church intends to burn Bibles and other literature on Halloween. (See story here and here.)
It seems that Amazing Grace Baptist Church (Where is the grace in the sort of activity that they are carrying on?) is a King James Only church and considers all other English translations of God’s Word to be satanic. They also consider Southern Gospel Music, Contemporary Christian Music, and the books of Billy Graham to be satanic, it seems.
The list of authors whose books will be burned is as follows:
“Westcott & Hort , Bruce Metzger, , Rick Warren , Bill Hybels , John McArthur, James Dobson, Charles Swindoll , John Piper, Chuck Colson, Tony Evans, Oral Roberts, Jimmy Swagart, Mark Driskol, Franklin Graham , Bill Bright, Tim Lahaye, Paula White, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn , Joyce Myers, Brian McLaren, Robert Schuller, Mother Teresa , The Pope , Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Donald Miller, Shane Claiborne, Brennan Manning, William Young, etc.”
Let it be known that this is not right. It is not gracious. It is not charitable. It does not show the Spirit of Christ. It is not Biblical. It is not the behavior of a Biblical Fundamentalist. Historically, Biblical Fundamentalists have respected God’s Word wherever it was found. This burning of Bibles is simply a new form of modernism that sets up man as the authority over God’s Word so that he can judge right and wrong by his own standards. It seems that Scripture is not sufficient for this sort of “fundamentalist”. He must go beyond Scripture, but in so doing, he condemns Scripture, thus making himself the final judge and arbiter of what is right.
It is my prayer that Bible believers all over our nation will lift up their voices and cry out against the graceless wickedness of Pastor Marc Grizzard and Amazing Grace Baptist Church.
Stuart Blessman
October 15, 2009
…And yet the only churches I can think of that do things like this are Fundamentalist Separatist Independant Baptist churches.
What we need is a massive amount of voices decrying this practice…maybe even send the authors of those books to the book burning to “witness”.
Chris Cole
October 15, 2009
Hmmm… the church’s website is offline. That suggests either that it has been overwhelmed with hits since this story hit, or they shut it down to stop harassment.
JasonS
October 16, 2009
It does indeed make one wonder….
Jason Elder
October 22, 2009
It has been overwhelmed by internet traffic and exceeding its bandwidth.
Dan
October 17, 2009
It definitely gives us real believers a bad name. I want to respond in kind, to yell or scream at them. Heck, even punch the preacher in his jaw, but then I’d be no better than them. Still trying to figure out where it all comes together. Jesus tore through the temple, right? Is that what we should do here?
JasonS
October 17, 2009
Dan,
I have an ongoing series about charity and Christian liberty. I think there are some things in that series that would apply to such an issue as this.
On the other hand, I must say that vengeance is the Divine prerogative and not ours. God shall, as a wise sovereign, deal with such people as will bring Himself most glory.
Dan Smith
November 3, 2009
I hadn’t realized that I missed your reply to my comment. I’ve since calmed down considerably. I even forgot that it was happening (did it happen?). Anyway, you’re right…it isn’t my job to judge or convict. I hope the Holy Spirit got through to them.
JasonS
November 3, 2009
I’ve not heard if it happened. I have a feeling that they probably went slinking back into their cave to hide until the storm passed over.
On the other hand, a youtube video may pop up at any time.
Who knows?
Perhaps some of the others will be able to inform us.
Jason Elder
October 22, 2009
don’t get me wrong, even though I love my King James, I wouldn’t feel right burning any kind of Bible . But do you believe it’s “always” wrong to burn books you believe to be contrary to the Word of God? In Acts 19:19 they burned “books (biblos).” just curious, I know it’s probably a more time-consuming conversation than either of us are willing to begin.
JasonS
October 22, 2009
Jason,
There are some books that are so damaging that they should be destroyed.
As a general rule that should be done privately and without fanfare. Otherwise charges of censorship and more would be laid against the ones doing the burning. In reality, such things should be subject to the individual’s discernment.
Sadly, the church doing the burning is actually acting like a bunch of Pharisees, doing things to be seen of men. That is the impression that I get, anyway.
Jason Elder
October 22, 2009
That’s the impression I got too. Do you know if he advertised it though? I heard something about a flyer with misspelled words, but I don’t know if he took out an ad in the paper or anything.
Jason Elder
October 22, 2009
that is, I certainly hope he didn’t plan on getting media attention…and hopefully he won’t give any more interviews in his overalls! lol
JasonS
October 23, 2009
Jason,
All I know is that he put it up on his website.
That’s advertisement enough.
My guess is that he never realized he would get into what he has.
I think it even made it into the Telegraph in the UK.
Kim
October 27, 2009
Wow Jason,
I was looking around at this churches web sire…it’s mesmerizing or mind numbing, I’m not sure. I don’t know how Spurgeon and Vernon McGee made the cut? They seem to be current so it’s not as though they are living in a bubble and fighting old battles. I mean everyone is on their black list.??. I’m assuming by the quote that was given that John Piper is named a Heretic for being a Calvinist. David Jeremiah ?? I think I saw that they are associated with IFB; I’m assuming that is a legitimate organization of Fundamental Baptists. I wonder if that organization is aware that they have a member burning bibles. They should be informed. Although if someone does write the IFB don’t tell them about the rap and country music part of the burning:) we’ll just let that part slip under the fence
Jason Elder
October 27, 2009
I think you’re using a bit of sarcasm but the whole point of being an Independent Baptist is not being “associated” with other Baptists lol
Kim
October 27, 2009
I take it back, there is no association or fellowship by IFB acronym. It seemed like in a place or two on the churches website as if they were using the acronym like it was a fellowship of Independent Fundamental Baptist churches but I guess not.
Jason
October 27, 2009
that’s cool. Yeah, “we” have fellowships, unofficial associations are often called “camps.” It seems the pastor of Amazing Grace Baptist is a fan if not a follower of Peter Ruckman.
Kim
October 27, 2009
The IFCA or Independent Fundamental Churches of America is differrent then a “camp” or “fellowship” It is truly an organization all though an orginazation with not a lot of clout other then to cut off someones membership, but that is something. There is also Eastern Independent Church Missions and I know there are other Independent organizations.I think their purpose is more of networking then it is displine or Gov’t, which is why Independents can still associate
Kim
October 27, 2009
oops forgive the typing errors
Jason Elder
October 27, 2009
We don’t do “forgiveness” lol jk
Kim
October 27, 2009
LOl Jason
No I really wasn’t being sarcastic sometimes Independent churches do have associations and fellowships, which maybe wasn’t sarcastic but it is a little ironic
fundyreformed
October 30, 2009
Kim,
There is no overall complete IFB association. The “I”" stands for “Indpendent”. However, that means they are independent of denominations.
There are many associations of independent fundamental Baptist churches: The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship, Bible Baptist Fellowship, General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Southwide Baptist Fellowship, etc. There are loose associations around particular colleges or doctrinal/practical positions. Then there are “unaffiliated” churches which denounce even these associations or fellowships. But then the unaffiliated churches affiliate with other likeminded unaffiliated churches. All of this really can make your head spin.
In practice there isn’t much difference between the Southern Baptist Convention (a denomination) and an association or fellowship. Baptists preserve their local church autonomy no matter how they associate.
Hope that helps some,
Blessings,
Bob Hayton
Jason Elder
October 30, 2009
yeah, I’ve always viewed IFB as more of a description than a denomination.
fundyreformed
November 3, 2009
I heard it was a “success”. At least stuff fundies like in his Twitter feed mentioned it happened. He also linked to the church’s website which is back online now, I believe….
Jenny
February 22, 2010
This is not a church, it is a cult. Thank God there are less than 20 members (most of whom are members of the pastor’s family LOL)
Jason Elder
February 22, 2010
What do you believe constitutes a ‘cult?’