I read this article by a former SBC pastor and was greatly disturbed by his exegesis and thought process. I like his spirit of grace and humility toward the LGBT community, but this is just insulting to Scripture: [T]he concept of homosexuality was unknown for centuries after the Bible writers lived. It was not until the 19th century that the word “homosexual” was used for the first time. That being the case, the Bible writers could not have written about homosexual people or anything they did. Read his full argument here. Thoughts? … [Read more...] about Did Homosexuality Exist in Biblical Times?
Discussing Preaching with Jared Wilson and Tony Merida
I was blessed to have SEBTS professor/pastor/author Tony Merida and pastor/author Jared Wilson on my blog for a discussion on preaching. Here is an excerpt: TONY: My main focus is that that I want to take the listeners for a swim in the text. I want us to immerse ourselves in Scripture, and my desire is particularly to exalt Jesus as the hero of the Bible – and by extension as the hero of every sermon. I want people to walk away every week and say, “What a great Savior” not “What a great sermon.” JARED: Preaching ought to be exultational, an act of worship on the preacher’s part. Many … [Read more...] about Discussing Preaching with Jared Wilson and Tony Merida
Modification and Motive
Originally posted at Modern March There is a significant difference between teaching motive and teaching behavioral modification. For example: A husband is asked by his wife to help her clean the dishes and he refuses. After some arguing, he says, “FINE! I’ll do the dishes!” His wife is flabbergasted by his response and replies, “Nevermind…” The husband, of course, then becomes agitated that she no longer wants his help after all the fuss she made over it. His wife simply replies, “I want you to want to do the dishes.” The wife does not want her husband to offer a hand because she begged … [Read more...] about Modification and Motive
The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Originally posted at Modern March At the G5 summit in 2009, Dallas Baptist University professor and award-winning author Dr. David Naugle was asked: Why is Calvinism increasing in popularity, especially among younger pastors? (1.) Because it satisfies a deep longing for transcendence found in the sovereign God and His glory in the context of a culture swamped with purely immanent, this worldly cares and concerns. (2.) Because it provides a solid biblical and theological basis for counter-cultural cultural engagement and transformation, so that adherents can be against the world and yet … [Read more...] about The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Christians and Internet Presence: A Roundtable with Trevin Wax, Steve McCoy, Jared Wilson, and Brandon Smith
This is the most popular blog post of all-time at my blog, and I thought the Voices readers would enjoy and be blessed by it, as well. In attempt to look at the practicality and benefits of social media and blogging for Christians, three friends who have experience with popularity in the blogging and social media world (with 4-digit Twitter followers and top 100 Christian blogs) joined me to discuss. It is my aim that this discussion would help you personally and the Church as a whole consider the Kingdom implications of blogging and social media. THE PANEL: Trevin Wax BLOG: … [Read more...] about Christians and Internet Presence: A Roundtable with Trevin Wax, Steve McCoy, Jared Wilson, and Brandon Smith
The Need for Inerrancy
Originally posted at Modern March | Connect with Brandon on Twitter Inerrancy is a hot-button word in Evangelicalism. Men who stand for it are often called fundamentalists or legalists. Men who stand against it are called heretics and liberals. The Conservative Resurgence in the SBC surely polarized this subject on a broad scale, above and beyond Baptist life. In any event, say what you wish and stand where you want. As for me, I need the Bible to be inerrant. The Bible cannot merely be another religious book with some truth in it. Adam and Eve cannot be simply a poetic example … [Read more...] about The Need for Inerrancy
Is the Internet Good for Christianity?
Undoubtedly, the Internet is a dangerous place for Christians, or anyone else for that matter. With the unlimited access to pornography, gossip media, etc., there are a plethora of dark avenues that can be traveled while surfing the web. Beyond that, the Internet provides a way to present yourself as something that you’re not, replaces face-to-face relationships, and brings about laziness over hard work. The negatives can go on and on, but the question before us is this: Is the Internet good for Christianity? The easy answer is to say “no.” It would be easier and less tempting to … [Read more...] about Is the Internet Good for Christianity?
The Koran and the Gospel
Originally posted at Modern March This post was prompted by a poor “tweet” and the even poorer statement by Ray Bakke that led to it. Redeemer City to City, a church planting resource that I admire and respect, held the Movement Day 2010 Conference in New York City, the headlining speakers being Timothy Keller and Bill Hybels. Naturally, I was interested. I was at work at the time, so my following of the conference was via the Twitter hashtag #mday2010 on my phone. Things were going smoothly until this came across the #mday2010 feed: Now, I’m not one for trying to be the … [Read more...] about The Koran and the Gospel
How Can We Remedy Jesus-Detracting Issues in the SBC?
In a recent interview with Baptist Press, SBC President Bryant Wright listed his five primary goals as president: I want to call Southern Baptist Christians to return to their first love of Jesus Christ. We've let so many other priorities and influences of the world become more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ. That relationship is what is most important for us all. I hope to challenge our convention to have a radical reprioritization of fulfilling Christ's Great Commission. When we love Jesus, we love the lost. This will call all of us as individuals and churches … [Read more...] about How Can We Remedy Jesus-Detracting Issues in the SBC?
Russell Moore on Glenn Beck and American Christianity
Honestly, this is one of the best articles I have read in quite some time. Russell Moore nails it on the head in regards the influence Beck and those like him have on American Christianity: Rather than cultivating a Christian vision of justice and the common good (which would have, by necessity, been nuanced enough to put us sometimes at odds with our political allies), we’ve relied on populist God-and-country sloganeering and outrage-generating talking heads. We’ve tolerated heresy and buffoonery in our leadership as long as with it there is sufficient political “conservatism” and a … [Read more...] about Russell Moore on Glenn Beck and American Christianity