PAS:Declaration Concerning Personal Separation Mid-America Baptist Fellowship 10/89

   It is obvious that the moral decadence of society is having an
impact upon fundamentalism and that there is a general erosion of
Christian character. We are aware of the voices that say our churches
and institutions must adjust to this changing day if we are to survive.
To the contrary, fundamentalism is not in the surviving business; it is
in the crusading business! Our response should not be one of
accommodation and compromise, but of courage and conviction. The
following five issues are a sample of personal separation held through
the years by fundamental Baptist.

   We, the undersigned, declare that we are only interested in
supporting those publishing houses, colleges, mission boards, and the
institutions that aggressively and unashamedly stand on these Biblical
principles.

   Dress Dr. Ralph Martin

   because the Word of God establishes principles of modesty,
distinctiveness of dress between men and women, identification with
Christ in opposition to the world and the principle of consistency in
standards of dress in both public and home life.

   Therefore we stand opposed to nakedness, the wearing of clothing
that is inappropiate in style, revealing by immodest vfit, androgynous
in design (confusin the male and female roles).

   We, as men of God, by preaching, teaching, and example, desire to
uphold the standards of modesty, purity, and holiness for both godly
men and women; not excusing near-nakedness by reason of weather
conditions, recreation, or fashion (this includes mixed swimming).

   Dating Pastor Wayne Van Geldren, Jr.

   Understanding that marriage is a holy, permanent union crweated bny
God (Mark 10:6-9), that all intimate emotion and physical relationships
between a man and a woman outside of marriage are improper and immoral
(Mt. 5:27-28, Pro. 5:15-23, 1 Cor. 6:18-7:2), and that children should
honor the leadership of their parents until marriage (Ex. 20:12, Gen.
2:24), the following daiting principles should be taught and practiced:

   1. Children should submit themselves to parental leadership in the
choosing of a mate.

   2. Dating should be for the purpose of finding God's will in
marriage, instead of mainly meeting immediate social and emotional
needs.

   3. Pre-marriage relationships such as "going steady" and
pre-engagement should be considered dangerous and be discouraged.

   4. All intimate physical contact should be reserved for marriage and
not allowed in dating or engagement.

   TV/Movies/VCR

   Dr. Collins Glen

   Regarding the phenomena of the present day Hollywood
movie-television-video industry, the church of Jesus Christ must speak
out loudly against its philosophies and standards of morality.

   1. It steals time that should be redeemed for God. (Eph. 5:16)

   2. It dethrones the holiness of God and glorifies man.

   3. It preaches and anti-family philosophy.

   4. It ridicules and attacks by message and example the Biblical
principles of purity and godliness.

   Our nation's mentality is being inundated with humanistic
philosophies and ideals. There is a consequent, corroding effect upon
the Christian mind and lifestyle that God-fearing people must encounter
aggressively to counteract. Silence against anti-christian philosophies
and lifestyles, principles, and doctrine is unacceptable. Nothing would
aid the cause of Satan more than for fundamental, Bible-believing
Christians to remain neutral on this issue.

   Christians are urged to be discerning in their choice of television
and video entertainment by observing the words of Psalm 101:3, "I will
set now wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that run
aside; it shall not cleave to me."

   Social Drinking Pastor Mark Simmons

   We believe that the Bible teaches total abstention with regard to
alcoholic beverages. We also believe there needs to be a return to the
old-time preaching against all "social" drinking and promoting in ever
environment within our means the practice of total abstinence.

   Music / Dancing Pastor Mike Harding

   We believe that contemporary Christian music consists of music that
weds Christina lyrics to popular worldly styles such as rock, pop,
country, jazz, new wave, etc. These styles constitute sensual worship
that has patterned itself after the world's worship of its own
twentieth century idols. We believe these forms of music have weakened
the church and add to the moral doctrinal disintegration so evident
already.

   Since music is inherently moral, we believe God's view of music
revealed in Scripture must be the attitude of sacred musicians and true
worshipers in an age of increasing apostasy. Church music will not
improve itself without guidance and strong Biblical preaching on the
subject. In like manner, we also reject all forms of liturgical and
modern dance. We commit ourselves to such a course.

   Signed______________________________________________________