Peter was a fisherman. He had done it all his life, even when he was a disciple of John the Baptist. Then, one day, Jesus walked by. “Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men.” And Peter followed him. He left the nets behind and followed Jesus for more than three years, throughout Galilee, to Jerusalem, to Gethsemane, and to the Sanhedrin. There, it all ended. “I swear to you, I never knew this man.” With those words, Peter denied the Lord he had sworn to serve. And even when the most glorious miracle of history occurred, even when Jesus was raised from the dead, even when … [Read more...] about It’s No Time to Go Fishing!
Maybe I’m getting old…
But I agree with the sentiments in this picture. Andy Griffith was not just funny, it was hilarious. It was not just family-friendly, it was squeaky-clean (well, except for the moonshiners!). I am still convinced it was the best show that has ever graced the small screen (well, the black and white episodes before Barney left). The first season's Christmas episode is unquestioned brilliance. I remember an episode where a hard-driving businessman breaks down and can't get a part for his car. He is frustrated with Mayberry and its small-town ways. On Sunday afternoon, Andy and … [Read more...] about Maybe I’m getting old…
New Rules for Discussion at SBC Voices
Stole this from Eric Schumacher, who I am sure stole it from someone else! … [Read more...] about New Rules for Discussion at SBC Voices
When it is Right to Fight
I remain unalterably convinced that unity between Calvinists and non-Calvinists in the SBC is not only possible, it is the will of God. If we do not unite, we are dishonoring Christ who redeemed us and intended us to be one people. Spiritual unity with other believers is not optional for Christians, it is essential – as essential as orthodoxy or orthopraxy in the church. But I have seen my views both twisted and demeaned by those who assume that the call for unity is the call to lax doctrinal standards or a sloppy Christian living, the kind of ecumenism I was warned about in my childhood – … [Read more...] about When it is Right to Fight
Crucial Theological Discussion: Are Our Threaded Comments Messing with Your Mind?
People often ask me technical questions about the blog. "Do you use an astrocambio degengalator to massaultify your bacrogoggles?" In fact, I've had people get angry at me as if I was being intentionally unhelpful when they have asked questions and I have responded in ignorance. I am telling you the truth, here, when I say that I am likely the least technologically proficient blog editor ever. I know how to write. Sometimes, when the mood hits, I even edit what I write. I know how to post it and then publish it on a Wordpress format. Beyond that, I'm pretty must lost. I've been … [Read more...] about Crucial Theological Discussion: Are Our Threaded Comments Messing with Your Mind?
Principles of Patriotism and Christian Worship
We had some discussions on this a year ago - some real humdingers. Here are some of the thoughts I had, revised from a previous post. In my previous church, the Sunday before the Fourth was generally a Red, White and Blue Celebration, which people greatly enjoyed. I tried to make sure, in my sermon, that Americans needed God, but that he did not need us, that neither America nor Americans had any special place in God's heart. He loved Ethiopians and Koreans and Brazilians - even Canadians! - as much as he loved us. Tomorrow, I have no plans to preach on anything related to Independence … [Read more...] about Principles of Patriotism and Christian Worship
Division is Easy: Are Southern Baptists Lazy?
I had one of "those" meetings recently. In one of our congregational confabs things got a little chippy. One member basically insinuated that I had not been completely forthright in a previous meeting. It is never easy to have your integrity called out in front of your church family. And (no surprise) I thought the accusation was unfair. I believe I spoke the truth and it was infuriating to have my veracity called into question. At that point of personal insult, I had a choice. One option is easy - simply give in to the flesh and respond with the works of that flesh as defined in Galatians … [Read more...] about Division is Easy: Are Southern Baptists Lazy?
A New Approach to this Soteriological Debate
I think that if I was growing up today, I'd have been diagnosed with ADD and probably medicated. I am easily distracted from the work I am supposed to be doing. I tend to lose interest in discussions after a certain length of time. So, I don't know if it is my attention-deficit or what, but I can tell you this: I am sick to death of this discussion of the Traditionalist Document. Could we beat that thing into the ground a little more? We've devoured it, sucked out the marrow and gnawed the bones, have we not? I am sick to death of talking about Calvinism and variations of non-Calvinism, … [Read more...] about A New Approach to this Soteriological Debate
Unity and the Heart of Jesus: John 17
Is it possible that in our passion as Southern Baptists to defend the veracity of the Bible we have ignored one of its most powerful teachings? We battled and struggled to defend sound doctrine and the perfection of Scripture, but perhaps many of us forgot that the Bible we love proclaims the importance of unity and love in the Body of Christ. To desire and seek unity is not evidence of a lack of biblical conviction, but a desire to obey God’s commands. We must always be vigilant against the false teachers the Bible promises would come in our midst; the wolves who would walk among the … [Read more...] about Unity and the Heart of Jesus: John 17
The Sad Effect of the “Sinner’s Prayer” Debate
There is no question that there are differences between Calvinists and non-Calvinists - it would be foolish to attempt to make the argument that those differences do not exist. But the differences may not be as stark as we sometimes try to make them. In the last few weeks, there has been a rather forceful debate on the "Sinner's Prayer." Lots of heat has been generated by these debates, and often little light. I think you may see in the Sinner's Prayer debate an example of why we have such a hard time with the Calvinist/non-Calvinist debate in the SBC. This is something of a tempest in … [Read more...] about The Sad Effect of the “Sinner’s Prayer” Debate