The trustees of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission have reprimanded Richard Land twice and have cancelled his radio program "Richard Land Live." While they did not terminate him, the reprimand is a serious thing and the cancelling of the program was a fairly aggressive step. He was reprimanded for the statements about the Trayvon Martin case made on the radio program. He was reprimanded for plagiarism on the same radio program. The radio program will be cancelled as soon as is contractually permissible. The trustees noted that while Land's plagiarism on his radio program … [Read more...] about ERLC Trustees Reprimand Land, Cancel His Radio Program
Calvinists: What Do You Want from Traditionalists?
So here is the turnabout in the interests of fair play. This is a Calvinist-only forum. My question to you is the opposite of what I asked to the "traditionalists" earlier. What is it that you want from the "traditionalists?" They are not going away and they are not going to adopt Calvinism. So, short of acquiescing to Reformed Dogma, what do you want from them? If Calvinists and non-Calvinist, traditionalists are going to partner together in the SBC's missions endeavors, what is it that you desire from them? Speak the truth with grace. Other than perhaps asking a question for … [Read more...] about Calvinists: What Do You Want from Traditionalists?
“Traditionalists” – What Do You Want from Calvinists?
I'm going to ask our Calvinist readers to stay off this one. This is a question for those who have self-designated as "traditionalists." I will delete comments from Calvinists on this post. This is a non-Calvinist forum today! You may state your views without argumentation here. I may ask a question for clarity, but you have the floor today. Here is the question I hope some of you will answer - honestly and graciously. What is it you want from Calvinists in the SBC? Obviously, there are three simple solutions. Calvinists could abandon their doctrines. Calvinists could leave … [Read more...] about “Traditionalists” – What Do You Want from Calvinists?
We are SO tired of talking about Calvinism, right?
Here's our graph of our stats over the last couple of weeks. Notice anything? … [Read more...] about We are SO tired of talking about Calvinism, right?
“A Plague on Both Your Houses” – The Calvinism Debates in the SBC
Mercutio was caught in the middle of the warring houses of Montague and Capulet. He ended up getting killed during a battle between Romeo and Tybalt - an unintended but tragic consequence of the blood-feud that had gripped Verona. We are Verona, and the Calvinist Montagues are in battle against the non-Calvinist, "traditionalist" Capulets. Both sides claim the others started it. Both claim that they are serving God and that the other side is the one responsible for most of the trouble. "It was them! We only responded to what they did." This "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth" attitude … [Read more...] about “A Plague on Both Your Houses” – The Calvinism Debates in the SBC
Homosexuality and the Church: Walking the Tightrope!
I remember sitting with my father at the SBC many years ago, when we were considering the motion to change our governing documents to disfellowship churches that took a soft stand on homosexuality. I will never forget what he said, as some argued that the action violated principles of autonomy and Baptist polity. They may be right that this is a departure from Baptist polity. But I can tell you that twenty years ago, no one in the Baptist world would have believed that we would be having a meeting to talk about what to do with Baptist churches that said homosexuality was okay. The world is … [Read more...] about Homosexuality and the Church: Walking the Tightrope!
I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly … [Read more...] about I Have a Dream, by Martin Luther King
The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not … [Read more...] about The Last Full Measure of Devotion
Obama, Romney and Political Theology…
This is meant as a discussion starter. I have to admit a couple of things. First, I am pretty passionate about politics. Though I believe the church should not be devoted to political work, I am quite interested in it myself. Second, I'm having a struggle with voting this year in the presidential election. There is no way that I could ever vote for Barack Obama as president. First of all, I made a commitment long ago that if someone believes that killing a baby in its mother's womb is acceptable, they do not get my vote. Abortion isn't the only thing I care about, but it is … [Read more...] about Obama, Romney and Political Theology…
Fighting the Right Battle with the Wrong Weapons
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” What was Peter thinking? A detachment of soldiers, led by Judas, found Jesus and the disciples in the olive grove across the Kidron Valley, to arrest him. Peter, for reasons that escape me, had brought a sword to the prayer meeting, and he swung it. Badly. Being a fisherman, not a soldier, the best he could do was lop off the ear of the High … [Read more...] about Fighting the Right Battle with the Wrong Weapons