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)
Archives for 2013
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)
The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Non-Narrative New Testament Passages
In this, the first in a series of posts articulating my understanding of the New Testament gift of tongues, I choose for myself a narrowly constructed task: The consideration of what the relevant non-narrative passages in the New Testament say to us about the essential nature of the gift of tongues. "Relevant non-narrative passages" because Alan Cross has rightfully insisted upon the primacy of non-narrative passages over narrative ones in the determination of doctrinal matters as a core principle of sound hermeneutics. I was thankful for Alan's emphasis here, since this principle is an … [Read more...] about The Nature of the Biblical Gift of Tongues: Consideration of Relevant Non-Narrative New Testament Passages
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.)
True Grace
Dave Miller wrote recently about the dangers of “hyper-grace.” I know I have seen it even in churches I’ve pastored—that when one seeks to confront another concerning sin, even in a loving way, they are met with the cry of “Grace! Grace!” It is the very thing Paul warned about in Romans 6 and elsewhere—grace, thankfully beyond words, covers our sin, both our nature and every act past, present, and future; but grace is not an excuse to dabble and dawdle in sin. Grace is the awesome favor of God bestowed upon undeserving creatures who have willfully turned against him to make themselves … [Read more...] about True Grace
Hyper-Grace: the REAL Hyper-Danger
Heresy is truth taken to its extreme. I don't know who coined that term, but it is accurate. Truth existed first and heresy is not the absence of truth, but its corruption - twisting it and unbalancing it. Hyper-Calvinism, though a frequent accusation raised by some, is actually a pretty rare thing. But there is a Hyper that is common, growing, and a real danger to the gospel, to the church and to believers. It is sometimes called "Hyper-grace" - the doctrine of grace on steroids, taken to the extreme, until it becomes heresy. I have observed this phenomenon in churches of which I am … [Read more...] about Hyper-Grace: the REAL Hyper-Danger
Changes at SBC Voices
You may have noticed that our main page looks a little different. The blogroll of prominent posts has now been replaced by a rolling list of tweets that link to blog posts. Commenters have weighed in with their opinions that the new system is not what they want. It wasn't what we wanted either. Google decided to put Google Reader before the cyberspace firing squad. Since our blogroll used Google Reader, it was gunned down in the crossfire! Tony Kummer, our owner and techno-guru extraordinaire, explored all the options that were available and so far, this is the best system he has come up … [Read more...] about Changes at SBC Voices
Thoughts on Evangelizing Children: A Glorious Minefield
Let me start this by setting out my assumptions. 1) Children, because of their natural sinful state, need to be evangelized. It is imperative that we proclaim the full truth of the biblical gospel to children. Their eternal souls depend on it! (No, that is not an invitation for a TULIP food fight!) 2) Evangelizing children is a minefield with some very real dangers of which we must be aware. Children are often eager to please and susceptible to inducements. The possibility of a false conversion which gives a false sense of confidence to someone unconverted increases by orders of … [Read more...] about Thoughts on Evangelizing Children: A Glorious Minefield
Commands Trump Interpretations
Do we live in a theological bubble? Are we failing to major on the main thing? Has theology become the focus instead of obedience? When did it become acceptable to let Calvinism or non-Calvinism determine our biblical approach to the call to make disciples? Nate Akin wrote an article recently entitled The Conservative Resurgence, Calvinism, and Plurality of Elder (http://www.baptisttwentyone.com/2013/05/the-conservative-resurgence-calvinism-and-plurality-of-elders/). As I read the article I began to think of one idea. Is it possible that our theological systems dictate how we engage … [Read more...] about Commands Trump Interpretations