FOCUS GROUPS

Relating to Other Christian Traditions and Religious Faiths T

he Baptist World Alliance has engaged in theological dialogue with leaders of other Christian traditions in the past four decades. The process and efficacy of these

dialogues were explored during the Baptist World Congress in Durban. BWA Director of Mission, Evangelism and Theological

Reflection, Fausto Vasconcelos, explained that dialogue with other Christian traditions are aimed at increasing understanding and love for one another, fostering a shared life of discipleship in Jesus Christ, developing a common witness to Jesus Christ and encouraging further action on ethical issues. Josue Fonseca of Chile noted that

and Gentiles, most specifically with Cornelius, the Roman centurion, in the book of Acts, as an appropriate paradigm for theological dialogues. She applied Peter’s experience to the challenge facing Baptists to increase interaction with those different from who they are.

Other Faiths Relating to other faith traditions is more challenging to theological dialogues

should not ignore key differences, the need “to name the matters on which we do not agree, as well as matters on which we share a common faith and commitment.” The session agreed that, in theological dialogues, the Holy

Spirit needs to guide and shape the process. It was acknowledged that there is common ground across Christian traditions in Christian spirituality and the spiritual disciplines, and Baptists benefit from these traditional and ancient practices. For dialogues to be meaningful there is need to engage locally,

exploring forms of engagement that are appropriate with a goal, not for a common Christian world structure, but, primarily, local engagement in mission. Among the benefits of dialogue the BWA engaged in were

collaboration in France between Baptists and Catholics on a common translation of the Bible, which is being used by both Baptist and Catholic congregations. Valérie Duval-Poujol of France, a participant in the ongoing

BWA dialogue with the World Methodist Council, said spiritual preparation is important in conducting theological dialogues. Duval-Poujol referenced the encounter between the Apostle Peter

A Baptist WITH A Big B R

igmor Ruth Petersen of Denmark attended her seventh global Baptist gathering during the 21st

Petersen’s most memorable congress Baptist

World Congress in Durban, South Africa, in July. Her first meeting was at the 1947

Baptist Youth World Conference in her country’s capital, Copenhagen. Since then, she has attended six Baptist World Congresses. Petersen, who is just shy of 90 years

old, made sure to include her family in her travels as well. In Durban, she was accompanied by her daughter, Anita, and granddaughter, Caroline. In 2000, her daughter accompanied

her for the first time to the congress in Melbourne, Australia. Having seen how excited her daughter was, Petersen invited her four granddaughters to subsequent congresses as a gift for their 14 year-old birthday, with two accepting the offer.

12 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE

was Melbourne. “Nothing was translated but I still understood what God wanted me to understand.” Petersen’s faith journey began at age four

when she heard her family talking about Jesus and desired earnestly to understand who Jesus is. At 12 years old, “Jesus spoke directly to me and he said, ‘follow me.’” Her pastor, however, told her she was too young to get baptized, that she did not understand. She encountered the voice of Jesus in

church again. “I was standing in a corner and a person spoke to me but nobody was there, and I asked ‘is it you Jesus?’” The answer came. “I’m saying yes.” The voice directed her eyes to the baptistery. “I’m saying yes. Why not get baptized?” Petersen sang in the church choir for

40 years, was a girl scout for 30, a church youth worker and a member of the church council.

Baptists than relating to those of other Christian traditions. Relationships between Christians and other religions have been marred by conflict and even war. There have been instances of persecution and abuse. At the most basic level, differences in beliefs and practices make relationships difficult. Christer Daelander of Sweden reported that between 1975 and 2010, 30 percent of all wars were fought between groups of different religions. The tensions and conflicts make it imperative that Christians, Baptists included, seek rapprochement with those of other faiths. Daelander gave accounts of initiatives to improve relationships in Caucasus countries such as Georgia and Azerbaijan, and Asian nations such as Pakistan, places where religious tensions exist and conflicts occur. David Moko, head of Kaihautu-Baptist Māori Ministries

of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, and Rob Sellers, professor of theology at Logsdon School of Theology in the United States, suggested ways to relate to and bridge gaps with practitioners of other religions. The most important is the practice of neighbor love, as mandated and practiced by Jesus, as well as other closely related biblical virtues such as hospitality and compassion. Engagement in social action together is often helpful in breaking down barriers and bridging gaps. So too is introducing one’s Christian traditions to others and a willingness to listen.

“A small church doesn’t have it any

harder than a big church,” she said. “It all comes down to if you want to be a disciple of Jesus.” Lone Møller-Hansen, general secretary

of the Baptist Union of Denmark, said Petersen “is very sensitive to the Holy Spirit” and that “she’s inspiring people, both people who are younger than her but also her own age, to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is telling them.” Møller-Hansen said Petersen “is a Baptist with a big B.” This strong Baptist