Archives for 2013

That's what I'd like for this year to be for Southern Baptists: A Jonathan Edwards moment. A moment in which the Holy Spirit moved to do something remarkable among God's people. A moment in which the direction of the country was changed. A moment in which believers who trusted but little, hoped sparingly, and thought God powerless learned otherwise. Jonathan Edwards hoped for such a day and saw it. His yearning for it is best expressed, perhaps, in his work An Humble Attempt to Promote Explicit Agreement and Visible Union of God's People in Extraordinary Prayer for the Revival of Religion … [Read more...] about A Jonathan Edwards Moment (by Bart Barber)

The Queen James Bible, published in November 2012, is a “translation” which purports to edit King James Version passages condemning homosexuality.  Claiming “interpretive ambiguity,” the editors flatly state“We edited the Bible to prevent homophobic interpretations,” assuring their readers that the bible says nothing about homosexuality.  Further, in what amounts to a clear demonstration their complete disregard for historical-grammatical/canonical-contextual exegesis, the QJV editors posit  that “things like Leviticus are horribly outdated.”  Focusing largely on the Leviticus and Romans, … [Read more...] about The Queen James Version: A “Gay” Bible (by Randall Cofield)

Friends, read this article quickly as it will likely disappear soon. There is only one reason this got published; namely, Dave Miller doesn't know much about computers. Due to a massive oversight I still have some admin powers on Voices. I have the power--at least for the time being--to post an article without Mr. Dave's permission. Here it is...likely my last post on Voices. You might have noticed that Borrowed Light (my blog) no longer appears on the SBC Voices watchlist. You've probably assumed that I've been busy or just stopped writing altogether. That's not true. I've just been … [Read more...] about The Truth About SBC Voices

This semester I am teaching a course on Contemporary Worldviews, and also reading some of Abraham Kuyper’s works. He is one of the men attributed with the formalization of the “Christian/Theistic Worldview.” In view of some current controversy concerning Kuyper, and his ability/inability to “transform,” the Dutch culture in a more permanent way, I thought I might include some considerations. When thinking about Kuyper’s ability to transform the Netherlands, it might be beneficial grasp his perspective. The worldview dilemma has not always been so disjointed and confusing. Until the 17th … [Read more...] about “Kuyperian Worldview” in the Midst of Current Chaos

This message is offered as a response to Bart Barber’s request that I offer my “…understanding of the narrative passages in Acts, to refute points that I have tried to make…” Barber made this statement in the comment stream under his post, “The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues:  Consideration of Relevant Narrative New Testament Passages“ This is also the message that I preached in Chapel at SWBTS in August 2006 that, in many ways, defined or redefined my relationship with Southern Baptists. I hope this message answers Bart’s questions about my view of the Acts narrative passages as they … [Read more...] about THE BAPTISM AND FILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). This post was originally published at his site. Nearly three years ago at this time, my wife and I were in China getting ready to meet our little girl--now over 4 years old--and complete all the in-country and American citizenship paperwork that would both make her our daughter, and an American citizen.  We landed in Beijing, and spent two days touring the city while the Chinese government finalized all the details for our … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Mosquitoes (by Joel Rainey)

Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift.  The war drums are beating for the United States again and this time they involve Syria. The accusation is that Syria's dictator, Bashar Assad, has attacked his own people with chemical weapons (sarin nerve gas) and that a thousand innocent civilians have been killed with thousands more injured. Assad denies this and some reports claim that the Syrian Rebels were the ones to actually carry out the attack in the hopes that the West would come to their aid and blame Assad. The Syrian Rebels have been infiltrated by Al Qaeda cells as well and have also … [Read more...] about Should Christians Support U.S. Involvement in Syria’s Civil War? (by Alan Cross)

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you…” When Al Gore invented the internet* a new opportunity for “pastoring” was also invented. With a few strokes on my keyboard and a click of the mouse I can sit under teaching from all around the world. I can be “pastored” by a guy that I’ve never met and live in a “community” filled with people I’ve never actually seen. I believe God inspired Peter to add those little words, “that is among you”, for a reason. You cannot rightly “exercise oversight” if you’ve never actually sat across from a person. That is why Peter exhorts the elders to … [Read more...] about Putting Online Shepherding In Its Place

Having followed the discussion regarding the movie The Butler, I thought I would add my two cents worth. Not about race relations in America--that would take a whole different post with a whole lot of explanations. What I find interesting is tracking the reactions to The Butler. It is evident that, in the typical style of Hollywood, the creators of this movie played fast and loose with the facts at hand. Portions of the overall experience of life for an African-American during those years were portrayed as if they happened within the life of the family actually named in the film. That these … [Read more...] about Movies and Sermons, The Butler and the pastor