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Should Men (of God) Be "Enshrined?"
Posted by Geoff Baggett in Baptist Life
Baptist Press is reporting that the Convention of Southern Baptist Evangelists will honor its first group of inductees of the COSBE Hall of Faith -– recognizing vocational evangelists who have dedicated years of service to the task of soul-winning. Thirty evangelists will be recognized, ranging from legendary figures like Vance Havner, Hyman Appelman and Billy Graham to active evangelists like Junior Hill, Freddie Gage and Jay Strack.
Joel Southerland, senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Dalton, Ga., who also serves as a pastor adviser to the group, commented, “I think the Hall of Faith is important because it enshrines the men and women of the past -– and some still present -– who have given their lives to the ministry of the Gospel in evangelism.”
Johnny Hunt, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., and a COSBE pastor adviser, said, “Hebrews chapter 11 is a hallmark when it comes to honoring servants of God. I thank God for faithful evangelists. What a privilege today to remember in a very special way those who have served Him so well in days of uncertainty. I believe we should give credit where credit is due.”
I would never, ever say an unkind word about any of these men or their incredible ministries, but the word, “enshrine,” really reached out and grabbed me. Indeed, is it appropriate to “enshrine” anyone … even men of God?
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Geoff,
I agree that the use of the term “enshrine” is indeed unfortunate here. I think there is a legitimate place for remembering those who have come before us, and for “commemorating” their testimony of faithfulness. But, there is indeed a fine line beyond which such “commemorating” ceases to be healthy.
In Spain, I have observed first-hand the negative consequences that have come from “enshrining” the early Christian martyrs. Today, in many places, these “shrines” become the focus of people’s worship, rather than the one to whom the saints they “commemorate” were bearing witness, when they faithfully followed our Lord to the point of death.
I am not in favor of it at all. We’re told to labor for things eternal and not for such stuff here, but then we go and hand out the placques and the certificates and things anyway. Mixed messages, IMO.
But I guess it’s a lot easier to build a building and make some statues and placques, than it is to live what they preached.
“Johnny Hunt, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., and a COSBE pastor adviser, said, “Hebrews chapter 11 is a hallmark when it comes to honoring servants of God.”
Wow, that is quite a stretch. They built altars to worship God, not statues of themselves. These men are caught up in the world’s system of recognition. Let us give ONLY God the Glory. I hope some of them turn it down.
geoff,
i, like you, honor these men who have faithfully lived for the Lord and have preached his word. but, they were just men, like you and me. so, this kind of goes against my grain as well. the billy graham statue didnt a whole lot for me either. i just dont like all of this kind of stuff. it reminds me of naming everything in the churches after grandpa and uncle hershel, too. the church building almost becomes a shrine to thier memory when you start naming things and buildings after people.
my cousin pastored a church in the bootheel of mo which had someones name on everything in that church…from the pulpit to the pews to the windows to the chairs to the tables in the foyer. and, God forbid that you should even think about replacing them or moving them. after all, that’s granddaddy’s pulpit. that’s grandmother’s table. that’s aunt matilda’s doilie on the table. it has become a museum, and it feels like a museum as well.
when we start making statues of people, or lifting up people instead of the Lord, it just dont set well with me. i understand having heroes of the faith….i have some myself, but i would never want someone to name a building, or a pulpit, or even an outhouse after me when i’m dead and gone.
i do like looking at the pics of former pastors that some churches have hanging on the wall. it’s interesting. also, maybe a history of the church hanging on the wall wouldnt be bad either….it’s interesting and shows how the Lord has worked in that church. but, i think we ought to walk softly and gently in the realm of recognizing men.
david
statues – idols – hmmmm
Isa. 42:8 reminds us “I am the LORD, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images.”
When Dr. Hunt says, “we should give credit where credit is due,” perhaps he should be reminded that all of the credit goes to God.
I see no problem with telling the stories of how God has worked through people to accomplish His purposes to glorify God, but when the emphasis moves off of God and onto man, I fear we tread dangerously close to blasphemy.
IMHO, this Hall of Fame is not a good idea.
Les
I would not be in favor of such a Hall of Fame. Even though the men focused upon are some giants in the faith, I don’t believe such recognition is appropriate; nor in keeping with Scripture.
It is God Who we worship, it is God Who we serve. And, it should be God Who receives the credit.
If there should be a Hall of Fame in Heaven, I am sure that we would recognize few of the names that would be there. The true “Hall of Famers” are mostly unknown names to this world, yet are incredible servants of God. Like you and others say above, no one is taking anything away from those mentioned, but is it necessary to ‘enshrine’ servants?
Thanks for the comments, folks. I figured that the “enshrined” comment would rub most people the wrong way. Poor choice of words, indeed. And I think the entire notion of such a “Hall of Fame,” though obviously well-intentioned, is a bit misguided.