Here is the Baptist Press article. I am sure that more information will trickle out in the days ahead, but the vote, reported by BP, was 29-2. Seems like the Trustees were as impressed with Dr. Allen as the search committee was. … [Read more...] about Dr. Jason Allen Has Been Elected as the President of MBTS
Seeing the Beauty in the Body of Christ
The boy was horribly disfigured by birth defects. It was difficult to look at his misshapen face. His mother’s heart had been broken repeatedly by the looks of horror and the unkind words. The host of the TV show asked her, “When you look at your son, what do you see?” Tears running down her face, she replied, “I see a beautiful boy.” She was not blind to his defects, but defiantly chose to look past her son’s deformity. She chose to see him with eyes of love. In recent days I have heard harsh criticisms of the church. Many churches are horribly divided, hopelessly impotent and … [Read more...] about Seeing the Beauty in the Body of Christ
Why I Did Not Participate in “Pulpit Freedom” Sunday
If predictions held true, somewhere around 1500 pastors in America endorsed either a political party or a particular presidential candidate in the pulpit yesterday - a clear violation of IRS guidelines. Wayne Grudem, in the Christian Post, spelled out his reasons for participating, and I think he made an excellent case. According to Grudem: The IRS' guidelines restricting political speech from the pulpit is an encroachment on freedom of religion and freedom of speech. I tend to agree. He says that the only way to challenge such IRS guidelines is for someone to violate them and then … [Read more...] about Why I Did Not Participate in “Pulpit Freedom” Sunday
Eric Winston Lays a Smackdown on Chiefs’ Fans
What a powerful, articulate, and passionate speech. Not used to hearing this kind of press conference, are we? I've never seen a football player as incisively challenge his own fans. Courageous. But this was a great speech. He called the extremes of the American football culture to account for its attitudes. Wow. In the last few days we have seen shameful behavior by sports fans in more than one venue. Braves fans at Turner Field threw debris on the field after a call goes against them in the Wild Card game. It was a judgment call by the umpire - an unusual call, to be sure, but other … [Read more...] about Eric Winston Lays a Smackdown on Chiefs’ Fans
Random Observations about Sports (and GO YANKEES!!!!)
1) Though we have great theological disagreements, at least we can all unite in hopes that the Yankees rise up to smite the forces of darkness from Baltimore. Amen and amen. 2) It was a reasonable if unusual call in the 8th inning of the Atlanta game and the Turner Field fans demonstrated a humongous lack of class. 3) The Braves and Rangers losing is good. The Cardinals and Orioles winning is bad. Does the good outweigh the bad? Hard to say. 4) Someone needs to either hire a defensive coordinator or change the rules in NCAA football. Very few teams are playing defense. 5) When … [Read more...] about Random Observations about Sports (and GO YANKEES!!!!)
A Comment Worthy of Its Own Post: Fiddling While Rome Burns!
We get a lot of comments here at SBC Voices. Most are thoughtful and helpful. Some are bewildering, petulant, even mean. A few I have to delete. But every once in a while I read a comment and think it should be a post of its own. One such comment appeared on Thursday, from Randall Cofield. I only read it because I saw Jeremy Parks reference it in our "Reader Comments" sidebar. But I did not hold Jeremy's praise against Randall and I went ahead and read the comment. Wow. Gold medal/Hall of Fame stuff! Here is the comment (made at 11:11 PM on 10/4) from Randall Cofield. Cooperation … [Read more...] about A Comment Worthy of Its Own Post: Fiddling While Rome Burns!
Are Our Spats, Differences, and Personal Goals Worth the Damage We Are Doing to Missions?
At the recent Executive Committee meeting, Tom Elliff really made me angry. No, not like that. I wasn't angry at him, but I was angry at what he said. As he was giving his IMB report, he gave some information that set me off a little. Before I get to what he said, let me share a graphic I saw over at William Thornton's site, along with his Plodder's assessment of the current CP trends. After peaking in the 2006-2007 fiscal year, Cooperative Program giving took a sharp decline over the next three years. The last three years have been flat, but that is encouraging compared to the … [Read more...] about Are Our Spats, Differences, and Personal Goals Worth the Damage We Are Doing to Missions?
An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
To the Trustees of Midwestern Seminary, I do not envy you the job you have. Dr. Jason Allen has been nominated by your search committee as your next president and it is up to you to decide whether to affirm that nomination or decline it and renew the search. A lot of eyes are on you and there has been no shortage of opinions about the nomination. We are in a new age in which social media gives opinions such as mine and the others you have heard a wide hearing. You have had letters threatening to de-fund the seminary if you elect Jason Allen. You have had more thoughtful letters, such as … [Read more...] about An(other) Open Letter to the Midwestern Board of Trustees
I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
I have made this statement and never had a preacher disagree with me. I spent the weekend doing a wedding and it was a delightful time. The bride and groom seem tremendously suited for one another and I think they will have a happy family. It was a good deal of work, but I had a great time at the dinner, at the wedding and at the reception. I was glad to have the chance to participate But I would still rather do a funeral. No, I'm not happy that someone has died and that people are grieving. But as a pastor, I find funerals to be much more fulfilling ministry than weddings. Maybe you … [Read more...] about I’d Rather Do a Funeral Than a Wedding Any Day!
Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ
Dr. Bart Barber weighs in on this issue that has been our main topic this week - the nomination of Dr. Jason Allen as the president of Midwestern Seminary. He raises several important issues and the article is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the topic. Go read it. He asks and gives informative answers to these five questions. Are you sure Dr. Allen is a Calvinist? Are you sure that Dr. Mohler is behind Dr. Allen's candidacy at MBTS? Is Dr. Allen's performance at his seminary church really the right measure of his candidacy? Is Dr. Allen a member / leader / … [Read more...] about Bart Barber’s Post on the Allen Nomination is a MUST-READ