In a Q&A at a chapel service at Southern Seminary, Dr. Mohler took questions from students. One, not surprisingly, was about social justice. The question comes at about the 24 minute mark and his answer runs nearly 40 minutes. However, it is biblically, theologically, and historically sound. It is collegial but direct. He details two main reasons why he did not sign and was uncomfortable with the Social Justice statement coming from the MacArthur camp. He gives a detailed explanation of the difference between liberal "critical theory" social justice and biblical social justice, … [Read more...] about Dr. Al Mohler Addresses Social Justice
David Platt to Step Down September 27; Meador Named Interim President
I have heard quite a bit of scuttlebutt over the past few months - this candidate or that was about to be named the new president of the IMB. But in recent weeks we have been hearing that the trustees are nowhere near finding their new leader. David Platt has decided his interim time has gone on long enough. Frankly, this seems like a good move to me - on three counts. 1. The IMB needs to take as much time as it takes to make the right hire. If it takes another month or another year they need to find the president who will lead them and lead Southern Baptists in the days ahead. 2. … [Read more...] about David Platt to Step Down September 27; Meador Named Interim President
Echo Chambers, Conferences, Social Justice and a Dumb (?) Idea
Southern Baptists in particular, evangelicals in a broader sense, and all Americans in the whole have become lovers of echo chambers in which every voice joins in perfect unison with our own to reinforce, without question, the ideas we share. A lady came by the office to express how much she appreciated my ministry and how she had grown under it, but to inform me that God was leading her to another church in town. It was cordial and friendly, but something she said always stuck in my craw a little. "It is nice," she said, "to hear my theology preached every Sunday." I was not quite the … [Read more...] about Echo Chambers, Conferences, Social Justice and a Dumb (?) Idea
Creating Fear: The 9/11 Theological Strategy
September 11, 2001, was one of those days that you never forget. I was waiting for an associational pastors group to arrive at my house and I flipped on the TV just as the second plane hit the second tower. We watched the news for hours and life changed that day. America experienced a brief moment of unity as our president stood on the rubble of the Twin Towers and declared with an unusual eloquence that those who did the despicable deed would hear us as we spoke! Mr. Bush, who left office with popularity ratings lower than the Orioles winning percentage this year, broke records as the most … [Read more...] about Creating Fear: The 9/11 Theological Strategy
Reflections on Dr. Kelley’s Message
Dr. Kelley preached a chapel message recently that has raised the hackles of many in the SBC. Before I raise objections to the message let me give a few words of affirmation about the ministry of Dr. Kelley at NOBTS. I had not had much involvement with NOBTS until recently when I was elected president of the 2017 Pastors' Conference and the Caskey Center became our partner and major sponsor. Dr. Kelley was gracious to us and we have nothing but the highest respect and appreciation for the school and its president. Dr. Kelley has been a man of honor, decency, and integrity. To my … [Read more...] about Reflections on Dr. Kelley’s Message
A Complaint, A Confession, A Commitment
I have always envied some of my friends who seem to have a knack for maintaining their cool when they deal with comments on blogs. I watch men like Bart Barber and David Rogers continue to gracefully engage even the most belligerent responses. I do not have that knack. Comments get under my skin. I try to be careful about what I write - most of the time. If you think my articles are harsh, you ought to see the first, second, and third drafts - the ones I didn't publish, the ones I toned down and smoothed over before I arrived at the ones I published. I make a sincere effort to honor Christ … [Read more...] about A Complaint, A Confession, A Commitment
Thom Rainer Has Announced His Retirement at LifeWay
Thom Rainer surprised the SBC by announcing his pending retirement from LifeWay. He will retire when he his replacement is found or in one year, whichever comes first. In an article entitled, "Why I Am Retiring from LifeWay" Dr. Rainer explains his reasons for the move. He is leaving on his own terms, in his own time. Dr. Rainer has been a man of honor, integrity, and decency. There has never been a hint of any kind of scandal of any sort at LifeWay under his watch - though there was a constant drumbeat of criticism about editorial choices. I am guessing that comes with the job. Dr. … [Read more...] about Thom Rainer Has Announced His Retirement at LifeWay
Tragedy Should Never Be a Political Platform
For the last few weeks, those of us here in Iowa have been following the story of a missing University of Iowa student named Mollie Tibbetts. She was staying in her boyfriend's home to watch his dog while he was gone for a few days to work. She went out jogging one evening this summer and never came back. There were rumors followed by rumors. One farmer in the area, a known stalker, became the primary focus of the investigation and was heavily investigated. I did not realize that this had become national news as well, but evidently, it had. On Tuesday, a body was found in Poweshiek county … [Read more...] about Tragedy Should Never Be a Political Platform
George Washington, Political Parties, and Why I Am Now Independent
My wife and I watched the Amazon Prime hagiography on George Washington, "The First American," guided by the hand of Newt Gingrich, whose political views were imprinted on the show from start to finish. But it was well put-together and demonstrated both the strength of character of George Washington and the unique genius of the American system of government birthed by our founding fathers. Several things struck me from the show. George Washington put his entire heart and soul into the American Revolution, risking his life, his fortune - everything - for the vision of what would later be … [Read more...] about George Washington, Political Parties, and Why I Am Now Independent
If I Could Travel in Time…
At age 60, with something pretty close to a clean bill of health from my doctor, I have no intentions of dropping out of ministry any time soon. I don’t know if I have five years, or fifteen, or twenty-five left in active ministry. I am planning to keep preaching and serving until I am no longer able. But the fact is that having served churches for nearly 4 decades the majority of my ministry is behind me not in front of me. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4 have always been both a goal and a taunt to me. “I have fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race, I’ve kept the faith.” He had … [Read more...] about If I Could Travel in Time…