Ken blogs at SBC Open Forum. Adam Harwood spoke at the 2013 John 3:16 Conference, and the paper he presented there is available on the conference e-book at SBC Today. Like Dr. Harwood, I deny that anyone is born condemned for Adam’s sin; but unlike Dr. Harwood, I find in Scripture such a real union of mankind in Adam as to justify the inheriting of all the temporal penalties for Adam’s sin, including the spiritual death and depravity that all are born into. Dr. Harwood identifies as a Traditionalist, and is mainly arguing against Calvinists. But as a Baptist centrist, I propose that there are … [Read more...] about Who is Guilty of Adam’s Sin? A Centrist Response to Adam Harwood, Part 1 (by Ken Hamrick)
A Biblical Basis for Speaking in Tongues in Private (by Wm Dwight McKissic)
The primary purpose for addressing this topic is to answer the question: Is there a biblical basis for a Kingdom citizen to pray in tongues in private? The late Dr. Manuel L. Scott, Sr., said, “There is an orthodoxy within him that would not permit the sermonic broadcasting of an idea that the Bible would not back.” Not only do I share Dr. Scott’s orthodoxy regarding sermons, but I believe that this orthodoxy extends to worship practices—including tongues—publicly or privately. If the Bible does not back the practice of speaking in tongues, then no believer—period—should speak in tongues at … [Read more...] about A Biblical Basis for Speaking in Tongues in Private (by Wm Dwight McKissic)
Christ In You, the Hope of Glory (by Ken Hamrick)
Ken Hamrick blogs at SBC Open Forum. The Church long ago embraced the idea that what happens within substantial reality is not necessary to how God views a man. As this idea gradually worked its way into Christian theology, God’s focus (as perceived) was quietly removed from the lives of men. The importance of how a man lives in reality was replaced with the importance of how God chooses to see him. By a simple prayer of faith, the way that God chooses to see the man could be changed from wrath to redemption, merely by the way that the man chooses to see God. The all-consuming faith lived … [Read more...] about Christ In You, the Hope of Glory (by Ken Hamrick)
Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Her Future – Part II (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
REFLECTIONS AND RUMINATIONS ON THE SBC AND HER FUTURE BY WM. DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. PART II (PART I) WHAT THE SBC IS DOING RIGHT AND HER SINGLE GREATEST NEED? Nathan Finn referred to the vital statistics health decline of the SBC as a “Free-fall.” Because Dr. Finn is not just a casual observer, but a critical thinker, historian, and seminary professor regarding SBC life and history—I found his description, “Free-fall,” fascinating. When I prodded him to give an analysis and antidote of the “free-fall,” he gently pushed back and said that the critique and construct relative to the … [Read more...] about Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Her Future – Part II (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
Protecting the Principles of Religious Freedom (By: Ron F. Hale)
I’m hearing our president and other important national leaders frame our religious freedoms by using the term “freedom of worship.” That phrase is restrictive and narrow. Our First Amendment ensures us of this: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Those who have an agenda to rewrite history will push to privatize our Faith so that our rights will only be … [Read more...] about Protecting the Principles of Religious Freedom (By: Ron F. Hale)
Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Her Future: Part 1 – IMB Tongues Policy (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
REFLECTIONS AND RUMINATIONS ON THE SBC AND HER FUTURE BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. PART I Revisiting the IMB Tongues Policies: A Response to a Reasonable and Respectful Request The SBC is a branch of the Kingdom of God that He has used mightily in days past and gone, and is still using, to advance His Kingdom and to bring Him glory. It is quite apparent though, to anyone remotely observing, that the SBC light is not shining quite as bright as it once did. If the SBC is to return to her former glory and surpass it, there must be some major shifts and adjustments made, and commitments to … [Read more...] about Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Her Future: Part 1 – IMB Tongues Policy (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
WHAT WOULD YOU DO? PART TWO (by CB Scott)
It is Saturday morning. You are sitting on the back deck of your home. You are drinking coffee, strong and black. You normally drink a lot of coffee because you like it. However, you have been drinking much more of it for the last three days. One reason is because you are not very hungry so you are drinking coffee just so you will not be sitting at the table with your family staring off into another world as they try to eat their meals. However, you have noticed that your wife and teenage children are not eating much either. In addition, the normal table talk that takes place during meal times … [Read more...] about WHAT WOULD YOU DO? PART TWO (by CB Scott)
“HIS MOUTH IS MOST SWEET” Song of Solomon 5:16 (by Randall Cofield)
“His mouth is most sweet….” Who may measure the sweetness which flows from the mouth of our dear Savior?! What a boundless metaphor of the beauty and distinguishing character of Him who is Altogether Lovely! He opens His mouth and endless rivers of salvation, comfort, and assurance pour forth in resplendent beauty. He but speaks and the winds and waves of this life’s trials obey His omnipotent voice. He whispers sweet words of peace and our troubled souls are afforded refuge in the midst of storms. Indeed, the words of his mouth are most sweet! Consider the posit of ancient Job, who … [Read more...] about “HIS MOUTH IS MOST SWEET” Song of Solomon 5:16 (by Randall Cofield)
Worship Leaders – Get a Real Job! (by Dr. David Manner)
Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter: @dwmanner. Now that I have your undivided attention, I do believe that full-time worship ministry is indeed a worthy calling and vocation that requires preparation, education and skills. And yes, it is a real job. But what if opportunities were no longer available for you to lead worship vocationally? What if you needed to voluntarily or were asked involuntarily to step aside from full-time worship … [Read more...] about Worship Leaders – Get a Real Job! (by Dr. David Manner)
What Would You Do? (by CB Scott)
You work every day of your life with families as a minister. Ministry is your calling. Your entire livelihood or an important portion of your livelihood comes to you from a local church. You love God, your spouse, your children, and the flock to which God has assigned you as a shepherd. You take your ministry seriously. You have made a private and public commitment to be a minister in accord with the biblical exhortations of 1Peter 5:1-4. You hunger and thirst after righteousness and seek to lead the membership of the local church you serve to do the same. Thus far, God has blessed your … [Read more...] about What Would You Do? (by CB Scott)