I feel so much like Michael Corleone right now. I want to ignore the Calvinism wars. I want to talk about something else. I want to move on the things that I think are more important that are being ignored in our obsession with promoting or assailing Calvinism. But, as soon as I make a commitment, then: Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in! Alan Cross wrote a powerful article at his site, Downshore Drift, called, "Does Al Mohler Need to Repent of Promoting Calvinism?" In that article, he calls on Dr. Mohler to change his ways, asking him to tone down the rhetoric … [Read more...] about A Plea to Mohler, Nettles and the Founders
I Need Your Help – Contributions Needed (Articles, not Money!)
It is no secret that I am weary of the incessant and petty bickering about Calvinism that has marked so much of the SBC's discussion, and has been the driving force on blogs. Frankly, that is all that some people want to talk about. But maybe that is only because that is all we've given them to talk about. We have a big God and a big Bible and there are lots of interesting topics to write about. Ecclesiology. Ministry strategies. Missions. Engaging culture. There are a lot of things that we could talk about that are more important than the kerfuffle that has marked us. Honestly, I never … [Read more...] about I Need Your Help – Contributions Needed (Articles, not Money!)
Failing in the Center of God’s Will
Some years ago, I was invited to speak at a statewide conference for pastors of mission churches. Northbrook Baptist in Cedar Rapids nearly quadrupled in size within a few years, so I was asked to share what we had done that others could do to grow as we had. I was to share the methods and strategies we employed so that Iowa mission pastors could see what was working and imitate it at their churches. Such a Baptist thing to do, right? I found the entire premise of the conference somewhat silly – whatever was happening at Northbrook was a unique work of God that could not and should not be … [Read more...] about Failing in the Center of God’s Will
The Fine Line between Praising and Bragging
Owen Strachan had an interesting post last week in which he reflected on another article on the prevalence of boasting in modern social media. I won't repeat it, but I would recommend it if you haven't already read it. He talks about the danger of letting social media become a tool for self-promotion and braggadocio. It is certainly a struggle to walk that fine line. I've noticed something that bothers me. Maybe I'm just being crotchety in my advancing old age. But I've noticed that same kind of struggle in our promotion of our churches in social media. It seems to me that we walk a … [Read more...] about The Fine Line between Praising and Bragging
Did Skip Bayless get Censored for Talking about Tebow’s Faith?
Saw this over at Denny Burk's site, then followed it to Youtube. Would ESPN intentionally cut away from a Tebow-related discussion because it got too "religious?" I'm guessing this is just a glitch, but it is a very suspiciously-timed one! … [Read more...] about Did Skip Bayless get Censored for Talking about Tebow’s Faith?
The Tie That Binds? The Sea-Change in Southern Baptist Culture
I have been a regular attender at a Southern Baptist church since nine months before I was born. I've been a member of 10 different Southern Baptist churches over the last nearly five decades - and what a turbulent 50 years they have been. I was saved and baptized in February of 1964 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was a different denominational world that I was baptized into than the one I serve in today. I heard the frustration in my dad's voice a few years ago as he talked about his church search in the new community into which he and mom had moved. "I can't find a … [Read more...] about The Tie That Binds? The Sea-Change in Southern Baptist Culture
An Undivided Heart
As I grow older, I understand more clearly what nostalgia is all about. I remember days when life was simpler, when I had “free time” and hobbies; when I read books for fun; when I shot hoops in the driveway and took naps on Sunday afternoons. Life today is complex. There are bills to pay, yards to landscape, tasks to accomplish, posts to post, pressures to endure. I hope that doesn’t sound like whining. I consider myself normal in this, not unique. We live in an all-out, pedal to the metal, fast-charging world. I don’t know what it was like to be king of Israel, but I imagine it had … [Read more...] about An Undivided Heart
Frank Page is “God’s Man” for THIS Moment (and…the Calvinism Committee is here!)
WARNING: Having just declared my intent to steer away from discussions of Calvinism, I'm going back to the subject less that 48 hours later, now that Frank Page has named his Calvinism Committee (or whatever they are calling it). There is a certain irony intended in the title of this post. I have written forcefully about my disdain for the "God's Man" rhetoric that has been employed by search committee chairs. You can read one of my rants here. I may have mellowed a little, but I still agree with what I said two years ago. I think it is a dangerous tactic to label someone "God's Man" to … [Read more...] about Frank Page is “God’s Man” for THIS Moment (and…the Calvinism Committee is here!)
The Bible in 300 Words: The Foundational Story of the Gospel Project
Trevin Wax posted a 311-word summary of the entire story of the Bible, the story that was at the heart of the development of the "Gospel Project" Sunday School curriculum, which is evidently blowing up! LifeWay has consistently printed the plan of salvation in materials, but in preparation for the release of the Gospel Project decided to rewrite it in story form, appropriate to the purpose of the curriculum. Here is the Bible, summarized in 311 words. Obviously, a summary like this can't be exhaustive, but my view is that is a pretty good attempt. God's Word to You: A Summary of the … [Read more...] about The Bible in 300 Words: The Foundational Story of the Gospel Project
Water on the Altar: Letting God Be God
Elijah was on Mt. Carmel facing the prophets of Baal and Asherah. He waited all day while they called to their gods to bring fire on the altar, but “no one heard, no one answered.” He taunted them, they cut themselves, they made a ruckus that would have gotten the attention of any god, if that god existed. Still, no answer came. Then, as evening drew near, it was Elijah’s turn. He prepared the altar and the bull. He stood before the people and prayed a very simple prayer. He asked God to bring fire on the sacrifice to show the people of Israel that Yahweh is God – the only living … [Read more...] about Water on the Altar: Letting God Be God