Few things in the Bible are more countercultural than what we read there about slavery. It runs contrary to ancient Greco-Roman slave culture. It runs contrary to nineteenth-century American slave culture. It runs contrary to twenty-first-century libertarian culture. There's something here to afflict everyone. First, the data: Jesus nowhere advocated the abolition of slavery. Search for it in vain, for there is nothing in the gospels (or anywhere else in the New Testament) that delivers to us a clear abolitionist message. If you're thinking to yourself, "Man, if I lived somewhere that … [Read more...] about The Bible and Slavery
Archives for 2014
Racism Is A Symptom of a Deeper Issue That We Don’t Want to Address
Christian groups like the ERLC and the Kainos Movement are moving toward hosting discussions on racism in America and in the church in the 21st century, which is a good thing. But, if we are not careful, we will miss the deeper issues that animate the entire problem. I sought to explore those deeper issues in my book, When Heaven and Earth Collide: Racism, Southern Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus (NewSouth Books, 2014). Because the manifestation of racism has changed from the separate water fountains and lunch counters and busses of the Jim Crow segregation era, many whites do not … [Read more...] about Racism Is A Symptom of a Deeper Issue That We Don’t Want to Address
Exodus: Gods and Kings – A Review, by Dale Pugh
Dale Pugh graciously took a break from celebrating last night's Heisman Award to write a review of the recently released "Exodus: Gods and Kings." Thank you, Dale." Let me get this out of the way right up front: Ridley Scott messes with Moses’ story in Exodus: Gods and Kings (EGK). It seems almost inevitable that Hollywood just won’t stick to the facts. I suppose that it does the moviegoer well to remember that producers and directors are not necessarily concerned with commitment to a text. Their goal is to put a story on the screen in order to make money. Ridley Scott has done his … [Read more...] about Exodus: Gods and Kings – A Review, by Dale Pugh
A Picture of the Real Jesus (Revelation 1)
(I do a daily devotional for my church members. We are doing a "through the Bible in one year" reading, and I write some thoughts on one of the passages. I thought some of the readers here might enjoy this one today.) Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee. Charles Wesley penned the words to this beautiful hymn in 1742. We love this Christmas season because of the cute little baby in the manger, bathed in the star's soft light, surrounded by his mother, the shepherds and the Magi (a misunderstanding - they didn't leave until … [Read more...] about A Picture of the Real Jesus (Revelation 1)
Why We Find It Difficult to Talk about Slavery
Today I launch a series of posts on the subject of slavery. The thinking that lies behind this series has been brewing over the course of years. Only rarely do I wait so long before putting thoughts into writing. What is the cause here? This subject is fraught with difficulties that impede our discussion of it. I dedicate the initial post, therefore, to an exploration of those difficulties, somewhat in order to try to exalt every valley and lay low every mountain and hill before embarking upon the processional. It is hard to talk about slavery because we struggle to separate the subject of … [Read more...] about Why We Find It Difficult to Talk about Slavery
So Long Soloists
If we were as nice to the lost as we are to horrible soloists at church we might see a revival. That’s what I was thinking as I sat listening to the weekly “special” that preceded my sermon. It was an awful solo. The words to the song were doctrinally correct but the sound bordered on heresy. I knew what would happen when our resident William Hung finished. Everyone would applaud. They always do. They know not what they do. With their applause they are inspiring a host of other tone deaf members to take the stage. As I endured my musical purgatory, a visitor caught my eye. Judging … [Read more...] about So Long Soloists
US Senator: Wealthy musicians, athletes, clergy exploit tax loopholes to drive up rates for rest of us (William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder is back! What do Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Hollywood superstars, and mega-paid athletes have in common with clergy? They are all targets of retiring Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn's report on special tax breaks. There is a group of several hundred such breaks set to be extended by congress. While the housing allowance we clergy receive does not need any legislation to be extended, it's locked in brethren, it is of the type Coburn assails as being a special giveaway that clutter our mammoth tax code and that should be eliminated or adjusted. Ah, the company we clergy are … [Read more...] about US Senator: Wealthy musicians, athletes, clergy exploit tax loopholes to drive up rates for rest of us (William Thornton)
Brewton-Parker College Reaffirmed by SACS
Word is that Brewton-Parker College has been reaffirmed by SACS. They are no longer on probation. The Brewton-Parker website likely has more details than I have now. This is wonderful news for the staff, students and supporters of Brewton-Parker. I congratulate my friend CB Scott. Hopefully this good news will sustain him when Ohio State steamrolls the Crimson Tide. … [Read more...] about Brewton-Parker College Reaffirmed by SACS
Spurgeon, Hillsong, and “Conversations”
We do not deliberate, for we have decided. To be for ever holding the truth of God, as though it might yet turn out to be a lie, were to lose all the comfort of it. –Charles Spurgeon Shortly after reading that quote from Spurgeon I read this sad news of Hillsong Church: At a press conference for the Hillsong Conference in New York City today, Michael Paulson of The New York Times asked Houston to clarify their church’s position on same sex marriage. But Houston would not offer a definitive answer, instead saying that it was “an ongoing conversation” among church leaders and they were “on … [Read more...] about Spurgeon, Hillsong, and “Conversations”
The NCAA Playoff Teams HAVE TO Be….
The Evil and Despised Alabama Crimson Crud They are arrogant, obsessed and they have a payroll higher than most NFL teams, but Bama is in. This is a fallen world and evil sometimes wins. Alabama won enough to earn a spot. Of course, it doesn't matter how many they win as long as they lose ONE MORE GAME this season. All people of sound mind and good will are hoping for that. The Team with the HORRIBLE uniforms (from Oregon) Dale, could you please tell your Ducks to consult a fashion expert. They are really good, but watching them in those uniforms is just horrible. In a side … [Read more...] about The NCAA Playoff Teams HAVE TO Be….