Dr. Lemke has begun a series at SBC Today called "Distinctive Baptist Beliefs." In this series he is attempting to stake out a middle ground between Arminianism and Calvinistic Presbyterian/Reformed theology. He is writing to define how Baptist doctrine and Presbyterian/Reformed doctrine differs. He is articulating the "middle way" in which he recognizes and honors the Presbyterian tradition but also defines his differences with it. This is the second recent series which has attempted to further the discussion of Baptist identity. Nathan Finn's excellent series, "The Gospel and Baptist … [Read more...] about An Interesting New Series by Dr. Steve Lemke
Church Splits: Causes, Cures and Calvinism
Warning: Pastors, some of you may not like me much after you read this. But if we are going to preach the hard truths to our people, maybe sometimes we need to listen to the hard truths ourselves. Divided churches and church splits are a huge problem today. And we like to blame those sinful, divisive, unruly people for all the problems. But I am going to call the "blame the people" response into question here. I think church splits are usually started by rebellion or ungodly attitudes among people, but they are assisted by wrong attitudes and actions by church leaders. I hope you will … [Read more...] about Church Splits: Causes, Cures and Calvinism
Time Flies: My Daughter Left for College Today
I said goodbye to my daughter this morning. My baby girl. Gone to Cedarville University. I feel sad. I feel old. I feel empty. I feel, well, let me tell you about it... I was asked a couple of decades ago to MC a "Father-Daughter Banquet" at another church. I agreed, because any chance to stand up in front of people and fire off a few one-liners is an irresistible opportunity. But I found it an odd request. I was a father - to three boys; one around age 10, one around age 8 and another a toddling two-year old. Other than my wife, we were a boys-only club - we called ourselves "The … [Read more...] about Time Flies: My Daughter Left for College Today
Evidently, This Man Did Not Like Obama
Mohler on Alcohol
Alcohol&Ministry.mp3 Dr. Mohler, Dr. Moore and others discuss the Southern Seminary view 0f alcohol. This is an hour long. You are welcome to listen to it and respond to what was said. If you don't listen, don't discuss. It's pretty simple. Its one of the most biblically sound and balanced treatments of the subject I've heard. As always, bravo Dr. Mohler. I am not going to give my view of the presentation because I want the discussion to be about what was said, not what I said about what was said. … [Read more...] about Mohler on Alcohol
Level Three: Dinner Table Doctrine (Brick Walls, Picket Fences – 11)
I remember an argument I once had with a close friend over Matthew 13:33. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast.” Yeast is an interesting substance. Put a little bit of yeast into even a large lump of dough and pretty soon the whole thing begins to change, to expand, to grow bigger. A little yeast affects a lot of dough. This illustration is used throughout Scripture. Most of the time, it is clear that the point is negative. A little bit of sin works through everything and then grows and expands and creates spiritual decay. “Beware the leaven of the Pharisees,” Jesus warned. The … [Read more...] about Level Three: Dinner Table Doctrine (Brick Walls, Picket Fences – 11)
Picket Fence Ecclesiology: Balancing Local Church and City-Church (Brick Walls and Picket Fences 10)
I was blessed to attend a Promisekeepers rally for pastors in Atlanta several years ago. There were many thousands of pastors and church leaders from all over the country who came to be encouraged and instructed at that rally. I cannot remember a single sermon that was preached that week (though they were powerful and moving) but I can remember one moment – a song that was sung by Steve Green. He sang a song about tearing down the walls that separate us from one another, about letting the walls of denominational pride, personal ambition, competition and such things fall by the power of God. … [Read more...] about Picket Fence Ecclesiology: Balancing Local Church and City-Church (Brick Walls and Picket Fences 10)
No, I wouldn’t vote to expel (by William Thornton)
I referenced William's side of this. Here it is. You can read both. Maybe Howell will post here as well. It's a necessary discussion. Flat Rock Baptist Church in Mount Airy North Carolina was quickly and summarily expelled from the Surry Baptist Association the other day according to [http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6626/53/] this APB story from last week. Seems the church had done the unusual, the unthinkable, the unpardonable - they called a female pastor. Tony Cartlege calls it 'courageous, the association calls their kicking out action an attempt to facilitate "restoration to … [Read more...] about No, I wouldn’t vote to expel (by William Thornton)
Are Churches with Female Pastors Southern Baptist?
You do not have to be Southern Baptist to be a Baptist. You do not have to be Baptist to be a Christian. But there are some things you have to believe and do to be Southern Baptist. The seemingly eternal question is what that is. What is a Southern Baptist? I asked that question once in a blog post and basically no one knew the answer. The simple, legal answer is found in our bylaws. A church in friendly cooperation with the SBC is defined as one that gives a certain amount to the SBC and doesn't approve of homosexuality. But I think we all know that it goes a little deeper than … [Read more...] about Are Churches with Female Pastors Southern Baptist?
Technorati’s Religion Blog Rankings: How Baptist Blogs Stand
There is something unseemly about trying to rank blogging, but I've always been a stats guy and so this week I looked at the technorati.com blog "authority" rankings. I don't really understand them, why rankings go up and down. From time to time we get questions here about why certain blogs are on the "Featured SBC Blogroll" while others are not. The Technorati rankings are one way of explaining why certain blogs are featured. When I was a coach, I was a little bit of a stats nut - probably too much so. But its ingrained in my DNA somehow. So, here is a listing of the Top Southern … [Read more...] about Technorati’s Religion Blog Rankings: How Baptist Blogs Stand