We have received word that Dr. Paige Patterson has been transitioned to the president emeritus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, effective immediately, after a lengthy Board of Trustees meeting today. Jeffrey Bingham is Interim President. Baptist Press has more detail. We realize that this decision will bring about a wide range of reactions, from joy to anger. We feel it is best to let the information come out fully in the next day or so before we begin to add opinion to these facts. Comments are closed for now. God bless Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. … [Read more...] about Paige Patterson Has Been Made President Emeritus of SWBTS – Effective Immediately
Pray for the Trustees of SWBTS
The Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary are meeting today in a special session to deal with the very public issues that have been discussed recently about Dr. Paige Patterson and the future of the seminary. I am sure each of us has an opinion about these things but ultimately the men and women entrusted with that responsibility will make it. I would ask you to pray for them, that God would grant them wisdom to do what is best for the seminary, the SBC, and the Kingdom. Note: we have decided that comments on Paige Patterson/SWBTS topics might be counterproductive today. … [Read more...] about Pray for the Trustees of SWBTS
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:20-21 “He Is Able”
Passage: Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 Expositional Devotion: We have noticed a trend developing in our home. When our grandkids get told no by mom or dad they will come and ask grandpa for what they want. Somehow, my lack of willingness to say no has given them the idea that I have an unlimited supply of money and willingness to satisfy their desires. They are correct that I would … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:20-21 “He Is Able”
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:14-19 The Posture and Purpose of Powerful Prayer
Passage: For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:14-19 The Posture and Purpose of Powerful Prayer
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:8-13 “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Passage: Ephesians 3:8-13 This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, 9 and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things. 10 This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens. 11 This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him we have boldness and confident access through faith in him. 13 So then I ask you not to be … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 3:8-13 “It’s a Wonderful Life”
God Save the SBC – a Plea to Fervent Prayer
My heart has been heavy since I read something Ed Stetzer tweeted. Having been in a plethora of denominations he observed that (I paraphrase) the dysfunction in the SBC is not normal. Our anger and in-fighting is more than just a family fracas. A sense of call, a burden has been growing within me to do what I do today. I realize that many will call me a fool. Many willl dismiss it. Some will even be angered. But I believe this is what I must do. Anyone who has been around a while has to realize that what we are seeing this year is not normal. It not a harmless internal battle or a blip … [Read more...] about God Save the SBC – a Plea to Fervent Prayer
A Few Words about the Patterson Saga
A good friend suggested that my surgery and hospitalization was suspiciously well-timed to avoid having to take any kind of position on the Patterson brouhaha that has raged this week. While that is not true, I can admit that I appreciated the excuse not to opine. I am waiting on the final orders to be released from the hospital and am feeling much better, so I thought I would commit the utter folly of entering that fray. I have friends who are supporters of Dr. Patterson and friends who are not and anything I say risks offending someone...or everyone. My first word would build on something … [Read more...] about A Few Words about the Patterson Saga
A Mild Rebuke to My Fellow-Dispensationalists
My dispensationalism is about as mild as this rebuke is intended to be. Basically, I see a future for the nation of Israel during the millennium, I do not believe the church replaces Israel or inherits the Abrahamic promises. Romans 11 is key for me. A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written. Romans 11:25-26. God hardened Israel's hearts because of their unbelief and set them aside for a time, until the "fullness of the Gentiles has come in." Then, God will return to his work with … [Read more...] about A Mild Rebuke to My Fellow-Dispensationalists
Taking a Medical “Leave of Absence”
This is going to be an interesting week - one in which I will almost certainly lose weight. I have felt poorly for the last couple of months. I got sick in Senegal and thought it was something I ate - it might have been, who knows. But I just never got better. Finally, we decided to do some extra tests. Bloodwork. Ultrasound. MRI. Hipa. They went from organ to organ to organ until finally, they decided on two culprits. My gallbladder is diseased and has to come out. I am still concerned that it may sue me for abuse and neglect after 60 years of the diet I have subjected it to. They also … [Read more...] about Taking a Medical “Leave of Absence”
An Update on the Nominating Committee Report: Hopeful News
I was contacted a few minutes ago by someone who spoke to the chair of the Nominating Committee for the 2018 SBC, which we have been discussing. It contained 69 nominations for new positions and 67 of them were white. First of all, the person I spoke to is a friend I trust to tell me the truth. I cannot and will not reveal that person's name, but this person's word is impeccable. Here's what I was told. The Nominating Committee report was released because there is a deadline for releasing it. It had to be released when it was. Like all Nominating Committee reports, it is a … [Read more...] about An Update on the Nominating Committee Report: Hopeful News