Dave Miller

It is the election that never ends, it just goes on and on my friends. Some people started counting it not knowing what it was, and they’ll just keep on counting it forever just because it is the election that never ends… I stuck that annoying song in your brain, so, you are welcome. That may be the least annoying thing I do in this post. Let me share my theme. It is time for Christians, and for Southern Baptists, to honor God by accepting the results of this election with grace. We must stop acting silly and spouting nonsensical conspiracy theories about “stealing elections.” See, the … [Read more...] about Thoughts and Observations about Our Election

I have had discussions with friends recently who asked that question. Many younger Southern Baptists wonder if fighting the fight against the established powers who resist progress on racial issues, who protect sex abusers instead of exposing them, who think our solutions lie in the 1950s and 60s, more than in the NT, is worth it. Why not cut bait and move on? I have seen discussions among minorities who, seeing the way Southern Baptists fawned over a man like Donald Trump, wonder if the SBC has any  real passion to correct its racist past. At times, I wonder too. Of course, those … [Read more...] about Why Should I Remain Southern Baptist?

I'd like to share some observations and predictions about the election here today. Before you take any of my predictions too seriously, remember that I stated with full confidence that the GOP would never nominate Trump in 2016, and once they did, I stated here that Trump had absolutely no chance of becoming president. My previous failures at prognostication do not prevent me from engaging again in prognostication. 1. Everyone says this as established truth, but our actions and words sometimes ignore it - whoever wins tonight, God is still on the throne. All of those "the future of the … [Read more...] about Election Day Observations and Predictions

I believe that voting is an issue of freedom of conscience - falling under Romans 14-15. Each of us must decide under the Lordship of Christ how to vote. There have been a lot of bullying efforts by supporters on both sides, but in my experience, some in the GOP and passionate Trump have mastered this art recently. "No true Christian would vote..." If you have decided to vote for Trump, fine. You do not need to convince me if you are convinced in your own mind. I am turned off by those who present Trump as "God's man" and refuse to admit his faults and failings, but I understand those … [Read more...] about A Question: Am I Biblically Obligated to Vote?

If you were raised by someone normal, you have my condolences. My dad, Lew Miller, was one of the pioneer Southern Baptist pastors in the state of Iowa. At one point, Immanuel Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids gave about 70% of the Cooperative Program money in the state. We left Immanuel to go to Taichung, Taiwan, as Foreign Mission Board missionaries for one term. Dad pastored an English language church near CCK Air Force base in Taichung and we saw what amounted to a revival at that base. The Vietnam war ended and the base shut down. During the most tense times at the tail end of the Keith … [Read more...] about Weird Dads Are the Best Dads

LifeWay's CEO, Ben Mandrell, and their Trustee officers have brought a lawsuit against Thom Rainer (in apparent contradiction of Scripture). They announced that they were ending the lawsuit to seek a peaceful resolution, but it was later found that this was not the case. They were only "suspending" their legal action during negotiations. Thom Rainer made a statement a couple of days ago asserting several clear facts which could have been easily disproven by LifeWay or their trustee officers with simple evidence. No evidence has been produced. Instead of seeking peace, Mandrell and LifeWay … [Read more...] about Breaking News from LifeWay – Thom Rainer to Seek Peace

It appears that LifeWay Trustees may be realizing the damaging optics of this lawsuit they instigated against Thom Ranier, the well-respected former CEO of LifeWay. I was given a statement distributed by Todd Fannin, Chairman of the Board, written to the Trustees, but released to the press. The Trustee Executive Committee met today to discuss the most recent developments with Dr. Rainer. While there have been numerous public misstatements and inaccuracies surrounding this matter, we have been and continue to be hopeful that we may resolve this issue with Dr. Rainer regarding his … [Read more...] about As the LifeWay Lawsuit Saga Turns…UPDATE – Trustee email

This seemed as though it was worthy of a follow-up article. Dr. Rainer responded to Robert Downen (one of the best religion journalists in America) of the Houston Chronicle. His response is even more troubling, calling LifeWay's actions into question. It seems as though LifeWay is jumping to the lawsuit without much of an effort at all to find a more Christ-honoring and irenic way to solve it. The Chronicle is running a special (99 cents for 12 weeks - well worth it). Sign up if you want to read the article, but here is Rainer's statement. I was saddened to learn late yesterday of the … [Read more...] about Rainer’s Response Makes Mandrell’s LifeWay Lawsuit MORE Troubling

The SBC is sounding plenty of sour notes these days - political roilings and wranglings, theological false accusations, racial unrest, schism, and discord abounding. In an environment such as this, the icing on the cake would seem to be another lawsuit between prominent Southern Baptists. Just what 2020 ordered, right? Last night, I was given a PDF of a lawsuit originating from Ben Mandrell and LifeWay against the former president, Thom Rainer. It was filed yesterday. I'm not sure how clear my COVID-infested brain is and so I'm reticent to opine on legal issues on which I claim no expertise … [Read more...] about Why Is Ben Mandrell (and LifeWay) Suing Thom Rainer?

Life always gets in the way of blogging, and it has happened again. I started a series a few weeks ago called “Building Better Baptists.” My premise is that our problems are not denominational or structural, but heart problems. Today, I read a Facebook post in which a pastor accused our president of defunding the IMB. If you know anything about J.D. Greear, you know his church is our most active in sending missionaries and funding the IMB, yet this pastor had no guilt about publicly posting an accusation against the character and integrity of this man of God. This kind of false accusation is … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: Forging a Solution