Wow. Big Daddy Weave is on a roll today. Let’s look at his latest post.

SBC President Frank Page has lashed out in against any SBC participation with other US Baptist groups (Celebration of the New Covenant).

 I will not be a part of any smokescreen leftwing liberal agenda that seeks to deny the greatest need in our world, that being that the lost be shown the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Moderate SBC blogger Brian Kaylor:

What Page apparently missed was that there are conservative speakers and even Republican politicians. I have trouble believing that smart politicians like Senators Lindsey Graham and Chuck Grassley would be a part of a “smokescreen” for a “leftwing liberal agenda.” And I would not participate if that was what the Celebration was designed to be. Ironically, Page invoked the name of Al Gore, who will be one of the speakers, to justify the great work that the SBC has done. But if Gore supports the SBC’s work then it must be just a “smokescreen” for a “leftwing liberal agenda.” Or do charges of politics only apply to everyone else?

Moderate SBC bloggers have been credited with assisting in the election of Page. Wade Burleson plans to contact Page and  wonders if Page even wrote the Baptist Press article.

That being said, it does seem to me that Dr. Page’s comments, as delivered by Baptist Press, sound like they may have been written by someone other than Frank. They are not quite as irenic as his usual words. Those of us who have been in such positions as Frank know that, on occasion, denominational or state officials prepare statements and have the President sign it. That may or may not be what has happened here. Regardless, Frank probably saw the document and signed off on it. The language and timing sure sound like someone high up may be a little afraid that the the SBC may be perceived by the secular press as becoming soft on liberalism - someone who was deeply involved in the conflicts of decades past.

I really think that there may be some in established denominational positions that carry so much emotional baggage over past conflict in the SBC that it is difficult for them to even think in terms of a new paradigm. Sometimes the softness of denominational luxury causes one to lose sight of the rampant poverty, disease, and sickness in third world countries. Of course, that happens to those of us who are pastors as well, and that’s one of the reasons I enjoy going to third world countries with our people — it helps me keep perspective.

A few posts below I highlighted an article by Big Daddy Weave on US Baptist blogging.

Big Daddy Weave goes on a wonderful rant about a Baptist/US military sponsored memorial day celebration at Stone Mountain in Georgia.

Holman Bible Outreach International, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources, announced plans to give away 3,000 copies of its new Holman CSB Military Bible, “designed to meet the specific needs of military personnel and was created a format that is easy to carry,” at the May 26-28 event honoring active duty and veteran U.S. troops and their families.

Holman is a division of the SBC LifeWay Christian Resources, and it was handed out 3 thousand military bibles during the festivities. Each branch of the US military has their own features. 

The bibles sell for 19.95/US. More specialities in the index.   Big Daddy Weave:

Talk about some God and Country! The publisher of the Southern Baptist Convention is selling a Bible that contains quotes from George W. Bush! What to say?
I thought I’d heard it all. Seriously. Wow. Folks, this is Civil Religion at its finest. This is just one of many examples that prove that the misguided focus of the SBC on the notion of a Christian America has resulted in an insidious form of civil religion. Civil Religion is simply the mixing of traditional religion with national life until the two become indistinguishable. That’s precisely what we have here - the Holy Bible combined with a heavy dose of American Nationalism. For what purpose? To serve whose militaristic desires? As one wise Baptist said years ago - “This idolatrous religion depends upon patriotic fervor to be its Holy Spirit and Adam Smith its prophet…When the largest Baptist body in the nation, historic champions of religious freedom, officially and blatantly turns to accommodation rather than separation, and CIVIL RELIGION rather than prophetic witness, it is ALARMING.”

I believe only SBC ministers and congregants that understand this style of packaging and marketing of the bible is civil religion can affect change with their publishing company. I’ve expressed concern about the patriotism firms are injecting into bibles.

I have also complained about how this comes across to believers and none believers around the world.  I might as well write to a wall. It is alarming indeed.

I looked up the bibles given to commonwealth country military (Canada UK Australia and the UK. These bibles have camouflage covers, (see below) and the Canadian Bible society is working with military chaplains in the above countries and the US. The bibles respect the different Christian traditions in the commonwealth military.

Each Bible will have interior pages designed for those who do not really know their way around the Bible, with a message from the CDS, a short explanation of the Bible and how it is organized, a collection of well-known passages and stories, and a section to help find passages to respond to different needs. A Word List (Mini Dictionary) and maps will be at the back of the Bible. The interior pages of the Bibles will be identical, as much as two different languages will allow.

No patriotism, no civil religion.

This Liberty Bible  is now off the market.