We look back at those who founded the Southern Baptist and those who followed after with honor, even veneration at times. We fight over their heritage (were they Calvinists or not). They were men (and women too) of theological depth, evangelistic passion and exemplary character. And they either participated in or turned a blind eye to slavery, racism and discrimination. How could these great men not see the evil of their treatment of people whose skin had a different hue? How could they be so blind? How could they love Jesus while accepting cruelty to people Jesus loved? We can … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Convention: A Testimony of Grace?
A Meme, A Kerfuffle, and Mitt
Some memes just never get old. … [Read more...] about A Meme, A Kerfuffle, and Mitt
An Update on William Birch
On Sunday, March 18, I received an email from William Birch, an up-and-coming Baptist blogger who was part of our "Blue Collar Blog Madness" contest, requesting that he be removed from the contest because of immorality that had taken place. He was non-specific. Then, of course, the news broke out that Billy had been arrested for sexual assault on a fellow student at SEBTS. The blogosphere lit up over the next week or so. It was at that moment that some in the Baptist blog world showed its down side. One blogger speculated blindly that William might have drugged the victim to commit … [Read more...] about An Update on William Birch
Race, Reconciliation and the 2012 SBC Annual Meeting
The good ship SBC was cruising toward NOLA with excitement - our cruise would be marked by progress in racial reconciliation. Can you remember a year when there was less drama about the presidency when the office was being vacated? Fred Luter will be unopposed, at least by any serious candidate. It will be historic, encouraging, a move in the right direction. We were chugging along with eyes bright and heads high. Then, suddenly, the good ship SBC hit a rocky shoal when Richard Land decided that it was a good idea for the head of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to step … [Read more...] about Race, Reconciliation and the 2012 SBC Annual Meeting
An Important Theological Question for NOLA 2012
It is often hard to find people at the Convention. So, I'm thinking I should wear this suit that I found on eBay a while back, so that people will be able to find me. Yes, it's a flourescent lime-green suit. ($25 brand new on eBay - plus shipping). There's one problem. I've dropped around 50 pounds since this picture was taken, and I am not absolutely sure I can wear the suit anymore. But it is definitely a show-stopper. So, you tell me. Should I wear the suit? It would be kinda like my own little Mardi Gras. … [Read more...] about An Important Theological Question for NOLA 2012
Chuck Colson has passed away.
He gained fame as Nixon's hatchet man during the Watergate scandals. After he was saved, and after his sentence in prison was over, he established Prison Fellowship and became a best-selling author. He has now gone to God's presence, a testimony of God's saving and transforming power. … [Read more...] about Chuck Colson has passed away.
An SBC NOLA 2012 Forum
For those who are readers here, let's talk about the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans June 19-20(?). Are you going? What are you looking forward to doing in New Orleans? What significant actions do you hope we will take at the meeting? Would you be interested in a blogger's get-together (say, Cafe Du Monde) after one of the evening sessions? I booked my hotel this week. I'm looking forward to it! … [Read more...] about An SBC NOLA 2012 Forum
As the Kerfuffle Turns
Irony of ironies; all is irony. Mark Driscoll has been a hot item on the blogs recently, in case you haven't heard. He spoke at a small Christian college out east somewhere, and is doing a conference in that town over the weekend on another hot-button topic. Sex. How does the church address sex? We have a wide range of opinions about how the church should address the issue. Driscoll, of course, represents one extreme. If the Bible doesn't say its bad, then God says its okay between a married man and woman. I think that is a fair representation of his view. On the other extreme … [Read more...] about As the Kerfuffle Turns
A Liberty Student Anticipates “The Kerfuffle”
A student at Liberty, one with both an active mind and some time on his hands, sent me these, and they humored me. The Baptist blogosphere has been pretty serious recently, so here's a couple of perspectives on "The Kerfuffle" (Driscoll's term for the controversy over his appearance at Liberty tomorrow). Also, I am told that Mitt Romney will be the commencement speaker at Liberty this year, an action that will surprise only clueless people oblivious to Liberty's political stands. He said that the Romney appearance was likely to be "Kerfuffle 2", and sent me these posters in … [Read more...] about A Liberty Student Anticipates “The Kerfuffle”
Richard Land, Racial Harmony, and Plagiarism
Dr. Richard Land of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission may have become an impediment to the trend toward racial reconciliation in the SBC. As the SBC was steaming toward the NOLA Annual Meeting with high hopes of racial harmony and excitement about the election of our first black SBC president, Dr. Land made himself the iceberg that could sink that ship. Land, on his radio show, made some comments about the Trayvon Martin tragedy, accusing people of playing politics and being especially critical of those like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson who tend to infuse themselves into … [Read more...] about Richard Land, Racial Harmony, and Plagiarism