In today’s post on his blog, Praisegod Barebones, Dr. Bart Barber has stated his public and unwavering dissent from the BFM2000. I wonder if the folks at SBTC will allow him to serve on another resolutions committee in light of his stated opposition to the statement of faith required for membership in SBTC.
Here is a direct quote from Barber’s blog:
Can the historic Baptist distinctive of religious liberty be defined as “the protection of the freedom of individual conscience from doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to God’s Word or not contained therein, as well as the freedom to form and propagate beliefs within the sphere of religion”? No.
And here is a direct quote from first and last lines of Article XVII on “Religious Liberty” in the BFM2000:
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it...A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Now, of course, I know that Bart Barber believes the BFM2000. I do think his blanket rejection of that particular language included in the Roundtable Resolution, which was intentionally lifted from the BFM2000, is a good example of how a person can take issue with certain parts of the BFM2000, and still affirm and commend the document.
The Baptist Blogger 
Ben, I wonder how many who strongly affirm the BF&M 200 have ever read it from beginning to end. I am reminded of the times polling groups have read the Bill of Rights or the preamble to the U.S. Constitution to people and asked their opinion of it. Many would say it sounds too radical or it sounds like communism. Most did not even recogniize it.
Here are two other sentences from the BF&M 2000.
XVII. Religious Liberty Church and state should be separate.
Ben’s favorite SBC VP is a founder of an organization called Americans United for Unity of Church and State and says separation of church and state is the figment of someone’s imagination. Ben, is it okay for a person to serve as SBC VP and disagree with the BF&M 2000?
VI. The Church Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.
What about those pastors whose churches have the office of elder separate from the office of pastor or deacon and teach that is scriptural? Should they be allowed to serve as trustees or in any official capacity in our convention?
If I understand this correctly, then if we teach (FROM THE BIBLE) what the scriptural offices are…and many groups in our country have chosen the “elder” model over that of one bishop/pastor….then we would be in violation of the BFM 2000? We could be fired?
imb m