Dave Miller

I am preaching through 2 Timothy and last week's message covered 2 Timothy 2:8-13. I believe in eternal security, but I have to admit that this passage seems easier to explain if you take the other side. As I studied the commentaries, most of them just finessed the topic and few actually dealt with the theological implications of it head on. The passage in question, verses 11-13 is an ancient saying that some believe is an early hymn. I think it is a series of tweets by the Apostle Paul, but who knows. Where is the text. 11 For if we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we … [Read more...] about So, Whaddya Think? 2 Timothy 2:12 and Eternal Security

I am old enough to have played dodgeball before it was declared unhealthy to children’s self-esteem. I have watched with dismay as many in our midst have played what seems to me to be a form of dodgeball with issues related to racial reconciliation. Let me be clear. I believe with all my heart that most of the pastors in the SBC are not racists at heart, but I think many hold attitudes that hinder the progress of racial healing in our denomination. Whenever there is an effort to advance racial reconciliation in our fellowship, there is a corpus of regular clichés and axioms trotted out that … [Read more...] about Racial Reconciliation Dodgeball – Responsibility and Solutions

Religion Dispatches published an article yesterday entitled "The Southern Baptist 'All Lives Matter' Approach to Racial Reconciliation is Spiritual Malpractice." In that article, they mentioned SBC Voices a couple of times, which is always flattering. Unfortunately, their comments showed either ignorance of what has been written here, an intent to deceive people, or a simple laziness in the journalistic practices of the authors, Sunnivie Brydum and Joshua Lazard. They make assertions about what we have posted here that are so far from the truth that it is hard to assign any benign … [Read more...] about Ignorance, Deception, or Journalistic Laziness – Take Your Pick: None Are Helpful in Racial Reconciliation Efforts

Compassion International was one of our sponsors this year at the Pastors Conference and we came to appreciate their ministry. SBC Church Partnership - Pastor Bruce Frank from Compassion International on Vimeo. Consider their wonderful ministry as a possibility for your church. … [Read more...] about Pastor Bruce Frank – Biltmore Church Partnership with Compassion International

I wrote on this recently concerning the SBC’s statistical struggles, and have addressed the topic several times through the years. My thoughts are developing. As long as Baptists, the ACP, and the Annual Meeting exist, and I'm around, I'll likely keep thinking about this and perhaps reflecting on it. It is truly a Baptist topic! There can be little doubt that the New Testament was written by Baptists. The Apostles counted the crowds that Jesus fed with the loaves and fish and carefully quantified the leftovers. I am sure it was all duly reported on the ACP at the appropriate time. Luke … [Read more...] about Baptists and Numbers: “It’s Complicated”

Dwight McKissic was at our Voices pizza dinner today (wonderful time, thanks Adam) and he was a bit stirred up. Oh, he was his normal self, but wounded by battle with the Resolutions Committee. He tried to bring his resolution on the alt-right out of the trash bin and was told in front of everyone all its faults. Dwight's motion failed(majority, but not 2/3). We talked about making a new effort next year to tell the world clearly that racism, white supremacy, and alt-right politics have no place in SBC life. Then we found out that we wouldn't have to wait. A motion to resurrect Dwight's … [Read more...] about An Historic Moment Surprises Us at the SBC

For a people as tied to numbers as the Southern Baptist Convention, another statistical report such as the one we hear is coming in the next week here in Phoenix is inevitably going to lead to the rending of garments and great weeping and wailing, accompanied by gnashing of teeth on an enamel destroying level. And the lack of numbers should give us pause, at least. I have heard too many men point to their church's dwindling attendance as separating the sheep and the goats or somehow "purifying" the church. I've seen guys drive anyone who disagrees with them out of the church with smug … [Read more...] about The Numbers Conundrum – A Perspective on Our Numerical Slide