Every Christmas, Christians and non-Christians alike seem to revisit the doctrine of the virgin birth. Conservative Christians rightly affirm that belief in the virgin birth of Christ is a test of orthodoxy and of one’s view of the Scripture.[1] However, we must go beyond the doctrinal affirmations that arise from the narratives of Matthew and Luke, and marvel at the wonderful thing that was accomplished in the Incarnation. The Christmas story is not marvelous because it is miraculous. Our faith must not become merely about affirming biblical propositions our doctrinal checklist. Of course, … [Read more...] about The Virgin Birth – There’s Nothing Marvelous about a Myth
Archives for December 2013
Servant Or Server?
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John … [Read more...] about Servant Or Server?
Merry Xmas!!!???
Well, December 25 is almost here. I pray that you have a Merry Xmas!!! Oh wait, did I just unintentionally take Christ out of Christmas? Every year we as Christians endure what feels like a jab from people replacing the word “Christmas” with the word “Xmas.” Given the increasing secularization of our great winter festival celebrating the incarnation of Jesus, it would seem that their intention is to kick the Baby Jesus out and keep all the rest of the cultural fluff. That certainly might be the intention of some who use “Xmas,” but it might surprise you that that’s not necessarily the … [Read more...] about Merry Xmas!!!???
An SBC Voices Forum: What Is Your Favorite Christmas Movie?
Back when I lived in Virginia, we could barely get network TV in our rural area, and cable had not found its way that far into the country. So, we watched VHS tapes - generally tapes that my mom recorded in Florida and sent our way. One of those was a Christmas tape, and it had my three favorite Christmas movies. 1) It's a Wonderful Life - delightfully sentimental and sappy. No Christmas season is complete without it. 2) A Christmas Story - this was before the movie was driven into general consciousness by the 24 hour Ralphie-a-thon on TBS every year. There is barely a moment in that … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices Forum: What Is Your Favorite Christmas Movie?
I Am Abandoning SBC Voices
Don't get your hopes up, it's temporary. I am leaving after church tomorrow, with my family, to head first to Lynchburg, VA, then to Palm Coast, Florida. I will be spending Christmas with my son who works at Liberty and attends Liberty Theological Seminary. He is the father of the two cutest grandsons in the entire world. We are taking the van to haul the presents. On Christmas day, we will depart for Palm Coast where my family has a reunion every year - which we've not attended in quite some time. Normally, I am at our Christmas Eve service and by the time that's over, it's just too … [Read more...] about I Am Abandoning SBC Voices
Africans in the Baby Jesus’ Bloodline (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
AFRICANS IN THE BABY JESUS’ BLOODLINE A Biblical Response to Megyn Kelly’s Claim That Santa Claus and Jesus are White By William Dwight Mckissic, Sr. In response to Aisha Harris’ article “Santa Claus Should Not Be a White Man Anymore,” Fox News Commentator, Megyn Kelly gave the following response: "By the way, for all you kids watching at home, Santa is white but this person is just arguing that maybe we should also have a black Santa. Santa is what he is and just so you know, we are debating this because someone wrote about it, kids. Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable … [Read more...] about Africans in the Baby Jesus’ Bloodline (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
Freedom of Speech (by Paul Thompson)
Paul Thompson blogs at "The Bridge." I’m a day late on the big A&E vs. Phil Robertson (Duck Dynasty) buzz. I have to admit that I actually don’t watch Duck Dynasty, not because it doesn’t have its merits, I just don’t pay money for TV. When I opened my Twitter and Facebook accounts this morning this was the topic of the day, yesterday and today. So, I’ve been busy catching up on the issue. After reading a few articles, I’ve decided that there is some misunderstanding about freedom of speech. I’ll agree with many that the decision to suspend Phil Robertson from the show seems to be a bad … [Read more...] about Freedom of Speech (by Paul Thompson)
Dwight McKissic on Phil Robertson’s Comments on Homosexuality and Race (by William Dwight Mckissic, Sr)
THE NAACP AND THE MEDIA OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED FOR ATTEMPTING TO EXPLOIT AND MISREPRESENT PHIL ROBERTSON’S REMARKS REGARDING HOMOSEXUALITY AND RACE WHY BELIEVERS SHOULD SUPPORT DUCK DYNASTY STAR, PHIL ROBERTSON By William Dwight Mckissic, Sr. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Duck Dynasty star, Phil Robertson, has been suspended indefinitely from the most popular show in the history of cable television for simply expressing a biblical worldview regarding homosexuality. The A&E Television Network has determined that silencing and punishing Phil Robertson was/is more important than respecting his right of … [Read more...] about Dwight McKissic on Phil Robertson’s Comments on Homosexuality and Race (by William Dwight Mckissic, Sr)
Did You Know? Guidestone Will Not Sell Health Insurance after 12/31
Maybe I'm the last one to know this, who knows? But I heard a rumor this morning and called Guidestone and was shocked to have that rumor verified. After December 31, 2013, Guidestone will not sell any new health insurance policies. If your church hires a new pastor or a new staff member, you are on your own. You can seek private insurance or wander through the Obamacare minefield. But Guidestone will not be available to serve the insurance needs of Southern Baptists in 2014. To be clear, if you have Guidestone insurance, you can keep it - for now at least. They are just refusing to … [Read more...] about Did You Know? Guidestone Will Not Sell Health Insurance after 12/31
The Rise of the New McCarthyism
Here is how dictionary.com defines McCarthyism: The practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism." Those in power, in an effort to crush those who disagree, who hold differing values or views, make unfair accusations against the dissenters. When Joe McCarthy was accusing people of communism back in the 50s, conservative Christians were likely to cheer him, because he was attacking something we hated. Now, the tide has turned and we are counter-cultural. We are the despised minority standing … [Read more...] about The Rise of the New McCarthyism