Opinion

Ihave desired with a desire to attend the annual Southern Baptist Convention this June, just before my journey home to Africa. As an observer of the life, manners and beliefs of our time, our Southern Baptist brethren infuse in me a sense of wonder and inquiry as they are going through a life and death struggle with the devil.

The Southern Baptists are the storm troopers of the Christian church, and as we speak, their pre-convention study group has recommended that they adopt in their literature the nomenclature of Great Commission Messengers.

But the devil has confronted them with three most damaging accusations as they go into the convention. For the sake of sensitivity and humility, I shall describe these evil attacks on the Baptist brethren with brevity fearing the accusation that I may be myself (African English: ini pachangu) broadcasting the weaknesses of fellow brethren in Christ.

Sexual abuse

This is a well-known modus operandi by the devil, which he used with great success against the Roman Catholic Church. Two issues are at stake, first the juicy nature of the accusations, and second the cost, if the accusations are revealed. The Houston Chronicle, May 11, has already started a series of revelations from its own investigative journalists, who have so far listed 700 cases thrown under the rug by the Baptist saints, including our own missionary brothers.

The most troubling issue in these cases is that they transcend the statute of limitations. Some cases are 40 years old. The devil used it skillfully against Brother Bill Cosby and the Roman Catholic bishops. In the Cosby case, as is now in the Baptist case, the devil wants non-disclosure contracts thrown out. You see, good readers, when a missionary is accused of sexual abuse of a congregant, the church saves its good name and the good work which might be jeopardised if the case was broadcast to the four corners of the earth.

Imagine what can happen if a missionary in charge of 100 orphans is accused of sexual abuse of children. The devil relishes it when the orphanage is closed. What happens to the 100 orphans under the care of the saints does not bother the devil.

So, through some mouthpiece, the devil has asked, in writing, that the number of these non-disclosure agreements be revealed. So far, three of the six committees have answered the question. The next step is whether, in the case of a pastor being involved, will the church become liable to finan

Whether out of stupidity or mere ignorance, Baylor University Seminary commissioned a study of slavery at its campus in Texas. Please reader, we plead with you not to laugh. The great missionary father, the Reverend Dr RC Buckner, whose name is imprinted in the Buckner International Mission for Child and Elderly Care came to Paris City in Texas to scout for a college of theology. Carrying his bags was a slave