Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. What a horrible day in Boston. Evil broke in again and shocked us all, although at this point, I don't know why we should be surprised. The Aurora theatre shooting. Sandy Hook. Dr. Gosnell's House of Horrors. Now, the Boston Marathon Bombings. Today, we all grieved with those in Boston and could not help but think back to 9/11. But, there was another story being told today in Boston. When the bombs went off, people ran TO the victims to help instead of running away to save themselves. Howard Fineman of The Huffington Post writes: "Today, rescuers … [Read more...] about Boston Bombings, Evil Unleashed, and Light Triumphing Over Darkness (by Alan Cross)
Creative Cultural Theology
Life in any culture different from our own is full of lessons and perspectives, if only we'll look around and see them. Here are a few I've picked up on in our travels and conversations. Uriah was a bad husband whose behavior likely drove his wife into David's arms. As a group of Deaf Ecuadorians sat and watched the story of King David's adultery, they were fairly disapproving of Bathsheeba and the King. Of course, they blamed David far more than they did Bathsheeba (more on this later). However, their willingness to point fingers increased tenfold as we began to examine Uriah. … [Read more...] about Creative Cultural Theology
The Gospel will go forth! (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. As we sit and listen/watch all the moral and ethical ills of our country, and countries in the world, we must be reminded that the Gospel will go forth. Isaiah 55:6-11 displays some significant truths about God’s Word. If the wicked are not called to repent, then they won’t. If they do, then the Lord will have compassion upon them, and He will abundantly pardon, will we???? Many will wonder if through all the disgusting and horrific news events, if people will be asking about … [Read more...] about The Gospel will go forth! (by Andy Hynes)
Is This a Dumb Idea? A CP Suggestion
The exalted Rev. William Thornton put up a challenging piece last week on his new blog, "Cooperative Program Observer" and allowed us to repost it here, called "One thing I have never heard concerning the Cooperative Program." He challenged those who criticize the Cooperative Program to devise a better system. I am a big fan of the CP and cannot think of a system that is any better. But in the discussion, questions came up about the requirements for participation in the SBC. A church gets a messenger for every $250 it gives to convention causes through the CP. That formula has been in place … [Read more...] about Is This a Dumb Idea? A CP Suggestion
7 Reasons Pastors Should Be Writers
“You need to stop writing so much and start doing more ministry”. I’ve heard that criticism several times. And it always comes from the same place. Myself. I’m not alone in that criticism, though. I hear the rumbling throughout evangelicalism. (See here for an example). “Writing isn’t doing”. To fight this voice of discouragement I’ve come up with seven reason why pastors ought to be writers. In fact I believe that writing is one of the most important things that a pastor can do with his ministry. Here is why: Writing assists thinking. Forcing yourself to put thoughts to paper will … [Read more...] about 7 Reasons Pastors Should Be Writers
How to End the Media Blackout of the Gosnell Case TODAY! (by Alan Cross)
Editor: the blackout is slowly ending, it seems, because of pressure being put on by people horrified at the evil perpetrated by Kermit Gosnell. Here is Alan Cross' article published yesterday at Downshore Drift. I wrote about this the other day, but the Media-Bias-Blackout of the Gosnell Abortion/Infanticide case in Philadelphia continues, by and large. Kirsten Powers wrote about it on Wednesday for the USA Today and she asked the questions that every member of the Media who reported on Sandra Fluke, Trayvon Martin, Newtown, Aurora, or any other story that gained national attention should be … [Read more...] about How to End the Media Blackout of the Gosnell Case TODAY! (by Alan Cross)
Denominational Loyalty and the Body of Christ
Underlying all the recent kerfuffle over Norm Miller, Ed Stetzer, “treason,” and who said this and who said that, was a discussion between Rick Patrick and myself over the value of denominational loyalty within the SBC. Let’s leave the “treason” comment to the side here. I have no interest in pursuing that any further. Rick’s post Ten Traits of a Southern Baptist president over at SBC Today, however, got me to thinking again about an issue that, from my perspective, may well be one of the most significant issues facing us in the SBC today (no pun intended): the relative degree of loyalty we … [Read more...] about Denominational Loyalty and the Body of Christ
One thing I have never heard concerning the Cooperative Program (by William Thornton)
William Thornton gained his fame and fortune as the SBC Plodder. One of the strengths of that blog has been his perspective on Cooperative Program issues. He recently started a new blog, called "Cooperative Program Observer" where this article was originally published. I have heard the Cooperative Program praised and criticized. I've seen it held up as if it were inscribed on stone by God's Own Finger (not to be sinister but His left index finger, anthropomorphically speaking). I've heard many a Baptist offer suggestions - some outrageous, some eminently sensible. But what I have never heard … [Read more...] about One thing I have never heard concerning the Cooperative Program (by William Thornton)
Should We Be Talking About Treason? Is Christ Divided? What the BFM2000 Has to Say on the Matter (by Alan Cross)
Something of a dustup occurred in the SBC Blogosphere recently when Norm Miller, the Director of Communication and Marketing at Truett-McConnell College (SBC) in Georgia and editor/moderator/contributor for the Traditionalist SBCToday.com group blog commented in a post about the ideal SBC president and who it should NOT be. Miller referred to the Lifeway study called The Gospel Project and its inclusion of writers from Christian backgrounds beyond the SBC. Apparently, Miller thinks it a negative thing to bring in other perspectives to SBC Bible Study material and he blames Ed Stetzer, General … [Read more...] about Should We Be Talking About Treason? Is Christ Divided? What the BFM2000 Has to Say on the Matter (by Alan Cross)
Is the Baptist Hymnal “Denominational Treason?”
This is a follow-up on the article I published this morning. Most of you young whippersnappers don't know what a hymnal is, but it is a book of songs the church has sung through the years, to teach theology and to lead the church in worship. There is (though many of you perhaps have never seen one - getting the sarcasm?) a "Baptist Hymnal" - one designed specifically for use in Baptist churches. It has hymns by Anglicans like John Newton (Amazing Grace). It has hymns by Charles Wesley (of the Methodist Wesleys!). It has hymns by another Methodist, Fanny Crosby. (To God Be the … [Read more...] about Is the Baptist Hymnal “Denominational Treason?”