Dave Miller

I am not trying to write a doctoral dissertation or even a comprehensive doctrinal analysis, but since we've been discussing this, I thought I would give a quick review of the biblical evidence about elders.  I'm going to present the findings of an in-depth, intense (I'm kidding) search of Logos and the use of the term in the NT. 1)  All 24 instances of the use of the term elders in the gospels (Matthew-Luke, there are none in John) as well as 8 of the 18 uses of the word in the book of Acts refer to the "chief priests and elders" of Israel.  In Israel, the rule by a body of elders was … [Read more...] about An Observation: What the NT says about “Elders”

Elders are a hot topic in Baptist conversations today.  Elder-rule.  Elder-leadership.  Pastors are the elders.  Elders make you Presbyterian.  I've read a lot of these discussions and I have not really entered into most of them.  There is a reason for that. I just don't care that much.  Please, put down the stones with which you intend to stone me for my heresy, and let me explain myself a little bit.  I am not an opponent of elder-leadership in churches.  All of the churches I have served in my three decades as a pastor have been pastor/deacon/committee-run churches - standard, traditional … [Read more...] about Why I Am Apathetic About Elders in Baptist Churches

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)