In Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday January 20, 2014 FROM KING TO OBAMA A FULFILLMENT OF JEWISH PROPHECY? Psalm 68:31 “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” Does the Hebrew Scripture predict descendants of Africa occupying seats of worldwide political influence and power before the Lord returns? Was the election of Barack Hussein Obama a fulfillment of biblical prophecy? Does a study of Noah’s descendants throughout the Bible demonstrate a pattern of how God has operated in the history of mankind? Did Martin Luther King, Jr. … [Read more...] about From King to Obama: A Fulfillment of Jewish Prophecy? (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
Archives for 2014
Be Awake, Be Ready: A Personal Journey
This is the edited text for my message today at Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, IA. It would be hard for the Bible to be clearer about anything than this fact: no one knows when Jesus is going to come back. There is a lot about the Second Coming that remains shrouded in mystery, but God has made it clear that this mystery will not be revealed until the moment the trumpet sounds. In spite of the unequivocal and adamant assertions of Jesus that no one knows the day or the hour of his return, people continue to be fooled by those who announce that they have either received some … [Read more...] about Be Awake, Be Ready: A Personal Journey
Eschatology and Religious Liberty
Q. What is the one thing that is not present in heaven (or in the millennium, or in the New Jerusalem, depending on your take on eschatology) that we can be thankful is still present with us here today on earth? A. Religious liberty. “[The woman] gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne.” (Rev. 12:5) “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown … [Read more...] about Eschatology and Religious Liberty
The Significance of Church History
Church History is a common course in almost every undergraduate and graduate level degree in Theology, Bible, ministry, etc. However, I have begun to think we have lost the purpose or thrust behind the need for studying the historical roots of the church. In a day when the newest, latest, and most innovative ideas take center stage, it may be that we need to take a step back and look into the past. So why study the history of the church? I wish I could take all the credit for these ideas, but I can’t. This is the culmination of many individuals before me, some of which taught me. 1. … [Read more...] about The Significance of Church History
A Bad Taste
I am having some medical tests, and my normally prolific staff of writers has badly failed me, so here is one from the archives - published at my personal site "Word Processing" about a hundred years ago. Today, it meets a need for me, if no one else gets anything from it. I sucked my thumb. There, I said it. My deep, dark secret is now out. I loved that thumb. It gave me security and pleasure. But my mother had a different opinion. She knew that my thumb-sucking needed to stop. So, she put “Thum” on my thumb. Thum tasted bad. Really bad. It wasn’t poison, but it tasted like it. Every time … [Read more...] about A Bad Taste
Practical Advice for Seminary Students (by Kevin Schaub)
Kevin is the Director of Family and Youth Ministry at FBC Durham, and this post originally appeared at that church's website. As a young pastor, I would like to write a simple word of encouragement and advice to young, developing future leaders. Perhaps you are an under-30-something seminary student, and you’re excited and can’t wait to be a pastor. What practical advice might help you? The following are six things that have come to my mind over the years as I have aspired to be a pastor—nothing really groundbreaking, just helpful reminders. 1. Don’t rush it There is nothing … [Read more...] about Practical Advice for Seminary Students (by Kevin Schaub)
A Plea to the Critics about Criticism
I may be stepping into a great big pile of...well...trouble. The SBC has a lot of critics, from those who love the SBC but have a few small areas of critique to those who think the denomination is dying, even some who seem to think that would be a boon to the Kingdom! Some have been productive and measured in their criticisms. Others, in my opinion, have been overly harsh, heaping condemnation on our convention. But what I would like to do today is to give some criticism to the critics. More to the point, I want to challenge critics of the SBC to filter their criticism through a biblical … [Read more...] about A Plea to the Critics about Criticism
A Biblical Evaluation of the Homogeneous Unit Principle, Part 5
This is Part 5 of a 5-part series. The other parts can be found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. CONCLUSION The lessons learned by many in diverse settings around the world have proven time and time again that racial and social reconciliation, even among those who have experienced the transformative power of the new birth, is hard work. [62] Due to the ubiquitous sinfulness inherent in human nature, the goal of demonstrating the unity of Christ through the structures of the local church will require an intentional effort on the part of its members. According to DeYoung et al., “A … [Read more...] about A Biblical Evaluation of the Homogeneous Unit Principle, Part 5
Six Principles for Partnerships Between Large and Small Churches
This post first appeared at the RPM Ministries blog as part of their series on large churches. ________ Having been a part of both large and small churches, I have seen the tremendous potential of large and small churches working together. There can be great benefit when churches join forces and the combined effort can result in a greater impact for the cause of Christ. Not all joint efforts, however, are healthy partnerships. For a partnership between large and small churches to be successful, there must be active participation, contribution and benefit for all churches involved. Too … [Read more...] about Six Principles for Partnerships Between Large and Small Churches
Why I Reject Evolution (And Am Intellectually Satisfied Doing So) (by Alan Cross)
Alan blogs at Downshore Drift, where this post originally appeared. Apparently, I am part of the 33% of Americans who do not believe in Evolution, according to a recent Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project study (Al Mohler's article yesterday got me thinking about this today). And, I am completely fine with that. I am not trying to be different or unique or have my head in the sand when it comes to Science and its claims. I have actually studied and read quite a bit on this subject over the past 20 years, and although I am not a scientist by any means, I consider myself at least … [Read more...] about Why I Reject Evolution (And Am Intellectually Satisfied Doing So) (by Alan Cross)