Long ago, Noah descended from Mt. Sinai carrying five smooth stones and a sling to Mt. Carmel where fire fell, parted the sea, and revealed stones upon which were written the essential principles of Southern Baptist polity. The basis of that polity has been, is now, and forever will be the trustee system. Each year, autonomous local churches gather in a large metropolitan area to hear sermons, elect officers, receive reports and to approve trustees for our various boards, agencies and entities. Those entities are then run and managed by those trustees. It was quite a revelation to me a few … [Read more...] about So It Is, So It Has Always Been: Baptists and the Trustees They (Sometimes) Trust
I Apologize in Advance….
Since I don't really care that much about the NFL (at least not while important things like Yankees baseball are still going on), I've watched the foofaraw about replacement refs with amusement. I would make two observations: 1) Everyone complained non-stop about the REAL refs, so some of this is just sour grapes. 2) Think about it, folks. The New England Patriots are 1-2. The Pack is 1-2. New Orleans is 0-3. Can we really say this is a bad thing? We have to admit the replacement refs have done some level of community service. Anyway, in addition to apologizing for those … [Read more...] about I Apologize in Advance….
Jericho and Ai: Joshua’s Painful Lesson on Dependence
Joshua was devastated. Thirty-six of his men lay dead and the nascent nation of Israel was defeated and demoralized. Joshua was confused, clueless and even angry. Why would God let this happen? And how could God’s people be humiliated in battle by a little village like Ai? Just a few days before, Joshua was the triumphant conqueror. The mighty city of Jericho lay in ruins and Israel rejoiced. Having polished off a walled, armed city like Jericho, a tent village like Ai did not present much of a challenge. They decided that the entire army was not even needed to tackle Ai and only … [Read more...] about Jericho and Ai: Joshua’s Painful Lesson on Dependence
It is Immoral to Spend our Great-Grandchildren’s Money
We are currently spending our grandchildren and great-grandchildren's money to make our lives better today and that is immoral. And no, Republicans, it is not all the fault of the president and the Democrats. It is true that the Obama administration has exploded the growth of the debt in unprecedented ways, but other than the Republican congress right after the "Contract with America" (in 1994 - and, yes, President Clinton cooperated in the effort) there has been little evidence of either party really caring about the debt. So, we have amassed a debt that is over 16 trillion dollars. I … [Read more...] about It is Immoral to Spend our Great-Grandchildren’s Money
Fred Luter Addresses the Executive Committee – “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
Two observations I would make about the Executive Committee Plenary Session this evening. I'm not much of a "meeting" guy, but this was interesting, as some of our leaders gave reports about what is going on in the SBC. If anyone is under the impression that Fred Luter's election as SBC president was some sort of symbolic act,; that he was elected only because of his race, that person would be wrong. He is the real deal. He told us tonight that he was just going to give an address, and not really preach. Yeah...right. He articulated a vision for the SBC that was biblical, inspiring … [Read more...] about Fred Luter Addresses the Executive Committee – “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
Intriguing LifeWay Study on the Lord’s Supper: The Majority are Ignoring the BF&M
LifeWay has just released a fascinating study on Southern Baptist practices as it relates to the celebration of the Lord's supper. Two things are clear about this topic: The Baptist Faith and Message is pretty clear that only biblically baptized believers (by immersion after salvation - if that was necessary for anyone) should receive the Lord's Supper. Most Baptists are ignoring the BF&M on the topic. Look at the graphic here. The SBC Practices OPEN Communion Fairly shocking to me. I must give an admission here. Our church practices with the majority on this one, but I am … [Read more...] about Intriguing LifeWay Study on the Lord’s Supper: The Majority are Ignoring the BF&M
In Nashville, Checking out the Executive Committee Meeting
I am in Nashville today and tomorrow for a meeting of the Executive Committee of the SBC. There were committee meetings all afternoon, but as I am only a lowly 2nd VP, I am not a part of those. I plan to hit the Plenary Session tonight and tomorrow. I am invited to these things as a guest (no responsibilities or anything) and I thought I would check it out. Never been to an EC meeting! I do not think I will be doing much in the way of blogging - don't want to scare the good folks of the Executive Committee, though I may have a comment or two if something comes up - that is in the public … [Read more...] about In Nashville, Checking out the Executive Committee Meeting
The Cessationism/Continuationism Debate: Where We Agree (and Disagree)
As is the case in most blogging debates, by the time we have discussed something for a few rounds, there is an assumption that the two sides are wildly far apart. That is the nature of blogging. We do not discuss our agreements, but our disagreements. We also tend to forget that in most debates, there are not simply two positions that stand in opposition to one another, but a continuum of positions between those extremes. Both of these tendencies have been in evidence in our recent discussions of the present day ministry of the Holy Spirit in the church. In this debate, there are two … [Read more...] about The Cessationism/Continuationism Debate: Where We Agree (and Disagree)
The Marriage Debates: Sometimes, the Slope Really Is Slippery!
There is no doubt that the slippery slope argument is abused and has earned its position as a logical fallacy. Politicians use the argument to create fear and loathing against the policies they oppose. "If we allow this, the whole world will fall apart." Because the argument is often abused, it tends to be discounted whenever it is used. "That is just a slippery slope argument." It must be invalid. But, folks, sometimes the slope really is slippery. Sometimes, a relatively small step can lead us over the edge and send us sliding down a dangerus slope. I have lived in Iowa for 31 of my 55 … [Read more...] about The Marriage Debates: Sometimes, the Slope Really Is Slippery!
It Was One of Those Days…
...You know, those days you can remember where you were and what you were doing. ...Those days that are forever burned in your mind and heart. I was having a pastor's fellowship meeting in my home that was to start around 9 AM (CDT). I was ready and so I thought I'd turn on the TV and watch something until my friends arrived. It must have been 8:03, because just as the TV came on, and as the announcers were talking about the plane that flew into the North Tower, a plane flew into the South Tower and a fireball erupted. There could be no doubt at that moment that America was under attack. … [Read more...] about It Was One of Those Days…