Editor: Mike is away from his computer - I don't think its fatal, but perhaps we should pray for him? - and gave me permission to post this. I'm planning to, after this post, return to my commitment, which I wish I had not strayed from, to avoid any discussions of Calvinism! This post was originally published at Mike's site, Borrowed Light. If it is not in your feed, put it in immediately! Because I said so! Earlier this week I explained why this discussion on Calvinism matters. Now I’m going to explain in what way this discussion doesn’t matter and why I wish we’d spend our efforts … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons a Calvinism Discussion Doesn’t Matter
Archives for 2013
In Defense of Dr. Eric Hankins and SBC Today
(Not that Dr. Hankins needs my defense! He works at academic heights and I am more of a blue-collar guy. But I want to defend his right to forcefully state his views, as he did today at SBC Today.) I did not sign the Traditionalist document last summer for a simple reason - I don't agree with some of the theology expressed in it. In addition, I believed that some who promoted and supported the Traditionalist document came from a mindset that threatened to divide and destroy our denomination. I perceived a definite anti-Calvinist bent within many, especially those who blogged about it, in the … [Read more...] about In Defense of Dr. Eric Hankins and SBC Today
What If Toto IS in Kansas?
I am in the wonderful position of receiving a ton of free books from publishers in exchange for a review. Lately I have read, or at least skimmed, a good number of books on missions in a “post-Christian” world. Many of these books are written by guys that are ministering in a bigger city. They are encouraging us to stop trying to do ministry as if we still live in a “Christian” world. Just as Dorothy woke up in Oz and discovered that she wasn’t in Kansas anymore, so also churches need to wake up and realize “we aren’t in Kansas anymore”. That is really good advice. Helpful. … [Read more...] about What If Toto IS in Kansas?
An Old Codger’s Unsolicited Advice to You Young Whippersnappers
A few years back at our annual pastor's conference I was sitting around a circle talking to a bunch of young guys. (I shouldn't mention that the circle was the hotel hot tub, because our readers might not want that mental picture.) I had a sudden moment of realization sitting in that circle. I was now the old, established, voice of experience doling out advice to these young pastors. When did that happen? So, I'd like to invite you young whippersnappers to my virtual hot tub today to give you a little unsolicited advice. Some of you are old codgers like me - you can take the day off or … [Read more...] about An Old Codger’s Unsolicited Advice to You Young Whippersnappers
The Greatest GCB of All Time
This is the story of the two GCB's whose unfailing legacies will forever define the Summer of 2012. In a year when the Mayans had predicted that everyone and everything on the face of the earth would completely vanish into thin air, we can all agree that both of these GCB's certainly held up their end of the bargain. One GCB presented a controversial drama striking at the very heart of many deeply rooted Southern Baptist values in a way that many found personally offensive and totally unnecessary. The other, of course, was a television show. We are now eight … [Read more...] about The Greatest GCB of All Time
Church Planters Need Curmudgeons
Before I make my point allow me to explain how you could misread my point. If you think this is a defense of the SBC or the Cooperative Program you have missed it. If you develop the impression that I am against church planting then perhaps my point has not been clear enough. It is not my desire to paint with a broad brush or even to give an opinion about the SBC, the CP, and church plants. My aim is singular. I want to address the pastor’s heart. I want to humbly say, “Pastor, check your heart is it possible that what I am saying here is true.” If it not then move on. Buzzwords I am … [Read more...] about Church Planters Need Curmudgeons
The New Testament Standard of Giving
Is a Christian required in the New Testament era to tithe - to give 10% of his or her income to the Lord's work? Do the Old Testament commandments on tithing apply to New Testament Christians? Blogging is a fascinating thing. Topics seem to run in cycles. A few years ago there were few topics more controversial and common among Baptist bloggers than tithing, but I can't remember the last post I've seen on the subject. I guess we have been more focused on how churches are giving to the convention than how people are giving to their churches. We've hashed and rehashed soteriological issues ad … [Read more...] about The New Testament Standard of Giving
Think Twice, Please: Lessons on Hiring an IMB Guy at Your Church
I’ve written in the past about the need for churches to raise up the next generation of leaders from within, avoiding the tendency to poach the best and the brightest from other ministries and organizations. If you have some time to kill and want to see a bit of a philosophical approach to the subject, go here. This is essentially the same topic, but with a slightly different approach. Neither philosophy nor food for thought; instead, we’ll be looking at a purely logical perspective. Well, it will be as purely logical as I am capable of making it. I’ll lay out some statistics briefly … [Read more...] about Think Twice, Please: Lessons on Hiring an IMB Guy at Your Church
United We Shall Stand (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. You and I have our own theological positions and prejudices. We have our own presuppositions that we bring to the texts we read and preach. This will not change; you won’t convince me, and I won’t convince you to make drastic alterations. In fact, usually what happens is I begin to dig my heels in and try to prove you wrong. You begin to sling names and associations against me. What in the world is this accomplishing? How is the Kingdom being edified and furthered through this kind … [Read more...] about United We Shall Stand (by Andy Hynes)
How You Receive It
If you follow the chatter around here, you might have noticed that a few of us were slated to go on a trip to Israel next month. As of now, that trip has shifted from "going in 4 weeks" to "indefinitely postponed." This post is to do a couple of things. First, whine about not going. WAH! I wanted to go. Now it won't happen when I thought it would. I am disappointed and will get over it. Probably when I eat a big bacon cheeseburger when I would have been in Israel, where such dining is just not kosher. Second, though, and more importantly, I think the situation serves as a decent neutral … [Read more...] about How You Receive It