Dave Miller

Well, that's the ideal anyway. Baptists who understand our polity and who have a healthy understanding of autonomy, soul competency, the priesthood of the believer, and the role, ministry, and amazing power of the Holy Spirit don't bully. They don't have to. They don't want to. They are horrified at the prospect. In reality, sometimes our ideals suffer. We have, in recent years, thrown out a couple of babies with bathwater we found yucky. We are fans of neither the liberal/moderate or the charismatic bathwater, and we've thrown them both out forcefully. But I'm afraid we've thrown some … [Read more...] about Baptists DON’T Bully!

I remember reading a college textbook in Western Civ differentiating the fascism that infected Germany and Italy and the communism had taken over Russia and was spreading throughout Eastern Europe. In my unsophisticated (ignorant, uneducated - okay, just plain dumb) point of view all I could see was that the end result of these two systems on the opposite ends of the ideological spectrum were essentially identical in practical effect. Brutal dictatorships, oppression, suppression of dissent, elimination of freedoms. Their theoretical differences were swallowed up by a common playbook of … [Read more...] about Peas in a Pod: The Self-Appointed Prophet/Discernment Enforcer Playbook

The Tourney Challenge has come down to two people, and if it weren't for that rascal Jeremy Parks, I'd be one of the them! The front-runner in the bracket challenge is "Adam G in NC" who has 1170 points, a substantial lead (130 points) on second place (DisneyDavisClan). Both of these entrants have selected the evil and despicable Duke Blue Satans as the National Champions, so if the Dookies win, Adam is our tourney champ. The next six spots in the standings are taken by folks who went over to the dark side and chose "Tom Riddle" Calipari as their champion. They are done scoring points and … [Read more...] about An Update on the “SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Challenge”

Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. It is the ugliest and most beautiful story ever told. The most horrible and wonderful. The greatest tragedy and the highest glory. In telling the story of Jesus we sink lower than ever mankind has sunk before and we soar higher than we could ever imagine. It is awful, it is awe-inspiring. It is the story of Satan’s greatest victory and his ultimate defeat, the story of a gruesome death that brought life and hope and healing to all who believe the story. And so, … [Read more...] about That We Would See Jesus

Easter weekend is a highlight for any pastor and any church. There are two primary reasons for that: It's one of the Sundays that almost everyone goes to church. Chances are pretty good that this will be your biggest Sunday attendance this year, or pretty close to it. Let's admit it guys, as much as we'd like to be above that, it's more fun when the building is full. And the Easter message is the greatest story of all. Jesus died for our sins and rose again with life for all who believe. It's a pretty good story. I've often said that if you can't preach Good Friday and Easter, you … [Read more...] about Serving the Body of Christ on Easter Weekend

Genesis 1We need a robust doctrine of the image of God (Trillia Newbell). 1. The Original Creation. What does it mean that we are made in the image of Good. Gen 1:26-27  In our image after our likeness. What exactly does "image" mean? Dominion? Communicable characteristics of God? Love? Focus here on the basics. *It sets us apart from all of the rest of God's creation. We are priceless and irreplaceable. By God's design we reflect God's image. Male and female and whatever skin color. Gender is a DIVINE construct. CS Lewis. There are no ordinary people. You have … [Read more...] about Thabiti Anyabwile – The Image of God and Racial Reconciliation: A Biblical Theology of Kingdom Diversity

Obstacles1. Many millennialist believe that racism is a problem of a generation gone by. but we are not post-racial. It's more subtle, but it's still central. Sneakier. 2. Belief that social media activity is enough. If I put a few things up on social media - a few retweets and posts - I've done my thing. We must actually change how we worship, how we live. 3. Many don't believe that God's Word is sufficient. As if preaching is irrelevant. Solutions - Only the gospel produces the kind of unity we are after. 1. Preach the gospel of unity. The gospel of Christ … [Read more...] about Trip Lee – Rise: Calling the Next Generation to Racial Reconciliation

When you are born again, your life must change. "The old is gone. All things become new."God did not give his son to die on the cross so that we could remain the same, but so that we could be changed. We don't go the places, do the things, or think the same ways. Your AD should be different than your BC. That is why the church has so little impact - Christians exhibit so little change. Our nation is at a moral low - so many issues. Right in the middle of all this decline and chaos is your church and mine. The problem is not that sinners sin - that's what they do. The problem is that the … [Read more...] about Fred Luter – Gathered at the Throne: Racial Reconciliation in the Kingdom of Christ

isalmic doctrineGod - Islam - submission to God    Muslim- one who submits to God.   Allah is the generic word for God. Wholly other and trancendent but not personal. God is a taskmaster and we are his slaves. The Christian concept of God as Father is foreign.Man.Man is born sinless. Does good and bad. The idea of the need for a savior is not strong.SalvationFive Pillars. Path to salvation. Creed- no God but Allah and Mohamed is his prophet.Prayer - facing Mecca. In Arabic. Fasting - duringRamadan sunrise to sunsetGiving - 2.5% to poor and needyHaj/ … [Read more...] about Breakout: Afshin Ziafat – on Islam

Dan is asking questions to Barrett. This is a loose summary of their views and statements. We must rely first and foremost on the love of God. His justice is key, but his love through Christ overcomes, so when we deal with people, we must deal with them on the basis of love. Fear of change drives a lot of people. The world is changing and people are fearful because if the immigrants gain legal status and engage in the legal process, what will happen? Others just accuse people of racism. Certainly, racism is involved, but that trivializes the issues if we simply label all opposition … [Read more...] about Breakouts: Barrett Duke/Dan Darling on Immigration