Dave Miller

There is a movement out there calling on pastors to endorse candidates for political office from the pulpit. I sympathize with the aims of this group. They are trying to make a statement to the government and to the IRS that the pulpit should remain free from government intrusion. The IRS, after getting spanked a few times recently for politically-motivated actions against conservatives, is refusing to take the bait. They have not stepped up enforcement against any of those pastors who have made this act of protest. It makes no difference to me. I have never endorsed a candidate for public … [Read more...] about Why I Don’t Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit

I'm going off grid for about a little more than a week. I'm leaving first thing in the morning for a BCI Pastors' Tour to the Holy Land, with a group of (wait for it) BCI Pastors and their wives. Jenni is traveling with me this time - I promised her last year after I got to go to Israel that I would take her. Anyway, the blog is wide open. Normally, I publish the posts according to a schedule. But for the next 9 days, it is "fire when ready." If you have a post ready to go, put it up. You are on your own for a week, fellas. A Few Guidelines 1) Be ye kind and considerate of the … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Contributors: Fire When Ready

(Okay, I apologize for that title.) I'm preparing for a BCI Pastor's trip to Israel next week, but I saw this infographic that buttressed something I've been saying for about 267 years, and I thought I would write a few brief thoughts for you to discuss.  I don't really have time for this, and this will likely be my last post (unless its not) until after I return on October 29th. Here's my thesis. I like simple weddings. More than that, I think they are healthier, better, and maybe even more honoring to God than expensive, complex weddings. I know that it is very easy to … [Read more...] about I Like Simple Weddings (And I Cannot Lie!)

Here is a copy of the resignation letter Mark Driscoll sent to his elders yesterday.   October 14, 2014 Michael Van Skaik Chairman, Board of Advisors and Accountability Mars Hill Church Dear Michael: By God’s grace I have pastored Mars Hill Church for 18 years. Today, also by God’s grace, and with the full support of my wife Grace, I resign my position as a pastor and elder of Mars Hill. I do so with profound sadness, but also with complete peace. On August 24th I announced to our Mars Hill family of churches that I had requested a leave of absence from the pulpit … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll Resigns from Mars Hills Church

I've been busy trying to get caught up on some work before I head out of the country next week - won't be writing much. But since this discussion broke out on another comment stream, I thought I should put up a forum for discussion of the issue here. According to the Houston Chronicle, it seems the series of events is (at least loosely) as follows: 1) The Houston city council, led by the mayor, an open lesbian, passed a "non-discrimination" ordinance. 2) Christian groups opposed the ordinance based on some of its provisions and possible consequences. I've not read the ordinance and … [Read more...] about Houston’s Mayor and Religious Freedom

There is so much NOT to like about the new "Left Behind" movie starring Nicholas Cage. Of course, first among them is the theological framework from which the movie springs. In our current SBC world, most reject premillennial, pretribulational eschatology. Many disdain it, quite a few ridicule it and some have labelled it a heresy. Obviously, those folks are not going to like the movie. That's not my quarrel with the movie. Even from a pre-trib viewpoint, there are some nits to be picked about the movie. I'd like to share a few of the things I found most troubling or confusing about this … [Read more...] about One Good Lesson from “Left Behind”

Sometimes, by refusing to speak, you can shout pretty loudly. In what seems to be to many a surprise, the Supreme Court has refused to even consider appeals by states that had bans against homosexual marriage against court rulings that declared them unconstitutional. This, in effect, makes homosexual marriage the constitutionally-approved law of the land. I'm not a lawyer, a legal scholar or an expert on the matters such as this. However, it seems to me that this is pretty much the end of the discussion. For years, public opinion has been slowly turning. In his first election campaign … [Read more...] about Get Used to Gay Marriage: The Supreme Court Hath Spoken

Yesterday, Jared Moore submitted a post called, "Do You Desire Revenge or Repentance?' focusing on a phenomenon I have seen often in blogging. As Jared admitted, there is a biblical place for correction and calls to repentance, but I've seen that go way overboard - and often. I've observed "discernment bloggers" go postal on those they believe are in sin, leading me to believe that they want the destruction of the other side more than they want true repentance leading to restoration. I realize that this is a personal observation and opinion, but it is one I've observed and strongly believe to … [Read more...] about C’mon, Man, Name Some Names! Should We Blog Generally or Specifically?

NOTE: I publish this as a newsworthy story about a Georgia Baptist College. This is not a springboard for a foodfight about the president of the college or others who work there. The focus is the accreditation of BPC and nothing else. Eyes on the ball, folks.  On June 19. 2014, the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to strip Brewton-Parker College of its membership in the organization. Sometime in the last few weeks, BPC went before the Appeals Committee to present new evidence that they were bringing the college into … [Read more...] about Brewton-Parker Gains Rehearing of Accreditation

I’m a Yankee fan. I don’t know if you knew that about me; it is something I tend to hold pretty close to the vest. Oh, there are a few hints out there – the large decals on the back window of my truck, the plethora of paraphernalia around my office, the shirts and shorts and jackets, 8 Yankees ball caps, the cell-phone cover, the life-sized cardboard cutout of Babe Ruth in my office, you know - a few minor things. Other than that, I try to keep my sports allegiances to myself. It's just not something I feel comfortable talking about. Being a Yankee fan is both a joy and a trial. One word … [Read more...] about I Died Just a Little