Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 It is clear from the discussion of Dr. Thomas White's post, that we all agree with this proposition: The Westboro group is not Christian, not Baptist and not even a church. They are false - publicity hounds who preach a message of hate that twists God's Word and gives the church a black eye in the process. The discussion was odd, because we had people who normally argue about just about everything who were uniting to condemn the Westboro … [Read more...] about A Proposal for Dealing with Westboro
Thank You, Andy Pettitte
I feel a lot of sadness tonight, and a little joy. You may not know this, but I am a fan of the New York Yankees. I don’t make a big deal about it, so most people don’t even know that I’m a fan of the Bronx Bombers. It is a sad day for Yankee fans. One of our greatest pitchers has hung up his glove. Brian Cashman announced today that Andy Pettitte will not be pitching for the Pinstripes in 2011. That made me feel sad. I spent 18 years passionately cheering for a team that never seemed to get it done. After our stirring win in 1978, we lost a heartbreaker to the evil Dodgers in 1981, … [Read more...] about Thank You, Andy Pettitte
Thomas White on “The Group at Westboro”
Thomas White has written an excellent essay called "The Group at Westboro." He has given me permission to copy it here. His blog (Thomas White) is worth reading regularly. He is a professor at Southwestern Seminary. That group has never claimed to be Southern Baptist, but by having Baptist as a part of their designation, they paint all of us with their shame. Dr. White has written powerfully to show that this group is neither Baptist nor a church. Here is Dr. White's article. The Group at Westboro If I told you that I was a bird, you might have your doubts. After all, I don’t look … [Read more...] about Thomas White on “The Group at Westboro”
Brick Wall Questions: Are “They” Real Christians?
When people consider the concept of the Brick Wall, questions arise as they attempt to identify which groups are inside the brick wall and which are on the outside looking in. The rubric I am using divides everyone into two groups – genuine Christian groups and those that have compromised the gospel. There are always a few groups that seem to defy easy placement, testing the limits of doctrinal compromise. Any metaphor, such as the one I am using here, has its limits. Many of these groups defy easy categorization. Privacy Fence Doctrine? I do not want to get too cute with the … [Read more...] about Brick Wall Questions: Are “They” Real Christians?
Brick Walls, Picket Fences (6): Brick Wall Doctrine – Jesus, the Gospel, the Second Coming
This is the sixth in an ongoing series of posts exploring how we can balance the demands of unity in the Body of Christ with the need for doctrinal accountability and discernment. In the first post, I introduced the topic. In the second post, I identified the four levels of biblical truth and the appropriate unity response at each level. In the third post, I introduced "Brick Wall Doctrine" - truths that are essential to the gospel and cannot be compromised in the church. In the fourth post, I started listing what I believe are Brick Wall truths, beginning with the perfection of … [Read more...] about Brick Walls, Picket Fences (6): Brick Wall Doctrine – Jesus, the Gospel, the Second Coming
What Is a Southern Baptist?
You tell me. There are really two questions here: 1) What is a Southern Baptist? 2) What is a Southern Baptist church? The answer to the first question can be pretty simple - a Southern Baptist is someone who is a member of a Southern Baptist church (whether they identify themselves as such or not.) We don't have a membership outside of the local church membership. But what is the sine qua non of Southern Baptist identity? What makes a church truly a Southern Baptist church? I usually write my opinion then let you interact with that. I'm going to make this more of an … [Read more...] about What Is a Southern Baptist?
Welcome Back, sbcIMPACT!
I'm always willing to promote something good in the blog world - and I think that sbcIMPACT! is one of the best sites out there. I know, I'm biased. I've been writing at that site for 2 years and think the world of the men who contribute there. But sbcIMPACT! has had a problem the last 6 months or so. Something happened to the site, or the hosting company or something. It became increasingly hard to log on to the site to comment, or even to read and the once lively site slowed a little. But the new (and improved) sbcIMPACT! has just been rolled out. The contributors are pretty much … [Read more...] about Welcome Back, sbcIMPACT!
Is the SBC a Dysfunctional Family?
Is your family more "Leave It to Beaver" or "Married with Children"? I am not completely sure that there is such a thing in this sinful world as a totally functional family. Sin causes us all to be dysfunctional at one level or another and we bring that to our families. We also bring that dysfunction to our denominations. Liberals and moderates often present a nostalgic view of the pre-CR SBC, as if it was a place of peace, happiness and unity focused on missions and evangelism - in which everyone sang Kumbaya together as we aggressively won the world to Christ! When we don't like the … [Read more...] about Is the SBC a Dysfunctional Family?
An Inoffensive Gospel is No Gospel At All
"We need to be less confrontational in our evangelism efforts. We need to avoid offending people. You catch more flies with honey that with vinegar, after all." I've heard this a thousand times. Sometimes, a fellow-believer expresses their fear of witnessing because they know that sharing the gospel will offend their family, friends and neighbors and they do not want to be the bad guy. We look for ways to share the saving message of Christ without offending those with whom we share. A church in my community has found a way to avoid offending people. At their version of VBS they invited … [Read more...] about An Inoffensive Gospel is No Gospel At All
If Jesus Is Not the ONLY Way, He Is A FOOL!
"You are arrogant to say that your way is the only way." "Christians are unloving because they do not respect or accept those of other faiths." We hear this all the time. Our critics are right - we make a bold truth-assertion about our Savior. We say that Jesus did, in fact, speak the words of John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me." We believe the words of Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." He is the only hope of every human being on … [Read more...] about If Jesus Is Not the ONLY Way, He Is A FOOL!