This was originally posted at Modern March Unless you live under a rock, you have seen the latest news on the Proposition 8 case. Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that Proposition 8 violates the constitution, a ruling that could potentially overturn the California voters’ decision that same-sex marriage should remain illegal. Expectedly, Judge Walker’s decision has flared much debate over the issue of homosexuality. Many Christians, though not all, have been up in arms for years over the idea that same-sex marriage will be made legal … [Read more...] about How Should Christians Respond to the Proposition 8 Debate?
Interview with Trevin Wax
Trevin Wax, a rising voice in the SBC, is a brother in Christ and has been helpful to me as of late as I learn the ropes of potentially publishing a book. Further showing his unselfish character, he was gracious enough to allow me to ask him a few questions about the SBC without hesitation. His blog, Kingdom People, is one of the most read Christian blogs on the internet today and his book, Holy Subversion, has been acclaimed by J.I. Packer, Al Mohler, Ed Stetzer, and Russell Moore. I first interviewed him on my blog and it was a great blessing and I pray that this will be for the SBC … [Read more...] about Interview with Trevin Wax
Paige Patterson’s Decision to Speak Alongside Glenn Beck
There has been a large outcry at Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s decision to allow the controversial, Mormon Glenn Beck speak at Liberty University's 2010 Commencement. What hasn't gotten near as much publicity is the fact that Paige Patterson chose to speak on the same stage with Beck. I remember a major uproar over John Piper inviting Rick Warren to Desiring God 2010, but maybe that was a different situation in people's eyes than the Liberty Commencement. I think this is possibly a bigger deal considering the major theological differences between Baptists and Mormons. By major I mean that Mormons are … [Read more...] about Paige Patterson’s Decision to Speak Alongside Glenn Beck
What I Learned from John Wesley
As I have mentioned briefly in the past, I worked as a Methodist youth pastor for a little over year and embraced Wesleyan theology for about a year before that. After much study and deliberation, I am now a charismatic, 5-point Calvinist Baptist. Quite the shift in theology, but I did retain some Wesleyan influence that I cannot refute or dismiss: Holiness - Though it is wrong to say that a Biblical understanding Eternal Security is a license to sin, it has been abused and excused by its adherents for centuries. Wesley would say that we should be holy partially because we could lose our … [Read more...] about What I Learned from John Wesley
Albert Mohler: Why All Southern Baptists are Calvinists
At the 2006 SBC Pastor's Conference, Albert Mohler listed ways that all Southern Baptists are Calvinists: A belief in the inerrancy of Scripture - "It is not by accident that there are no great Arminian testimonies to the inerrancy of Scripture. We really do believe that God can work in such a way that the human will wills to do what God wills that will to do. And that is exactly why we believe in the inerrancy of Scripture. We do not believe that the Apostle Paul was irresistibly against his will drawn to write the Book of Romans.” A belief in the substitutionary atonement - "The logic … [Read more...] about Albert Mohler: Why All Southern Baptists are Calvinists
What is Primary?
Here are what I think are some primary, secondary, and tertiary theological issues: PRIMARY: Trinity Substitutionary atonement Hypostatic union Christ's resurrection Christ's second-coming Inerrancy of Scripture Virgin birth SECONDARY: Calvinism/Arminianism (due to its effect on your view of God and Scripture) Cessationism/charismaticism Women in ministry Baptism Lord's Supper TERTIARY: Credo/paedo baptism Earth age Eschatology (as in pre/post/amillenial, dispensational, etc.) Church polity ____________________ Would anyone erase a third … [Read more...] about What is Primary?
Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
I’ve thought a lot lately about the role I play or potentially could play as a Christian blogger. God has brought a decent amount of traffic and recognition to my blog, especially lately, and I always wonder the affect it has on those who read it. There are those who simply follow a link to my blog and are only on the site for less than a minute. Some are referred to an article I’ve written by another site, read it, and move along in a matter of minutes. There are some of you who have chosen to receive emails of anything posted here or at Modern March. Regardless of the amount of time someone … [Read more...] about Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!
The latest revision of the Baptist Faith & Message is now a decade old. In celebration, I'd like to offer my humble opinion on the good and bad revisions. Note: Some were introduced at some level in the 1998 revision, though solidified in the 2000 edition. The Good Gender Roles - A much needed clarification of Scripture's clear teaching of male headship in the church and in the family. Both Articles VI and XVIII clearly state the worth and gifting of women while explicitly and unapologetically describing their roles. Exegesis - The removal of "Jesus Christ as the exegetical … [Read more...] about Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!
Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback
College football in America was rocked to the core by recent news of conference expansion and realignment. Moderate spectators and rabid fans alike were no doubt anxiously anticipating the outcome of these sudden developments. With Nebraska’s departure to the Big Ten Conference and Colorado to the PAC-10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference was rumored to likely dissolve quickly thereafter, with Texas and and handful other Big 12 schools possibly headed to the PAC-10. One of the teams looking to follow the money train to the PAC-10 was Baylor University. Texas Governor Rick Perry has been … [Read more...] about Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback