Dave Miller

Those who take the Bible as the authoritative, inerrant Word of God are caught between a rock and a hard place: The Rock:    Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Proverbs 13:24 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. Proverbs 22:15 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. Proverbs 23:13-14 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to … [Read more...] about Spanking, Abuse and Modern Families

In the discussions this week of the pastor's housing allowance there was a constant refrain of criticism of pastors who make too much money. William has raised this from time to time because some highly paid pastors have used the housing allowance to provide multi-million dollar homes and to even try to buy vacation homes with the housing allowance. This kind of thing causes problems for all of us. But as I read the comments I found myself wondering - how much is too much to pay a preacher? Most Southern Baptist pastors labor in churches that struggle to pay a living wage, so when … [Read more...] about How (Much) to Pay the Preacher

Did you hear the latest news? There are 11 missing planes in the Middle East that will likely be used in a 9/11 style terrorist attack. Tupac Shakur, thought to be dead, has been in hiding and recently resurfaced Casey Anthony, the woman acquitted by the courts (though convicted by public opinion) of killing her daughter, is now pregnant with twins and is going to have her own reality show soon. An Ohio church built a ridiculous youth center with all the games young people could want in hopes of being the coolest hangout in town. The coming winter is going to break all records in … [Read more...] about Let’s Stop the Stupid! Dealing with Viral News Hoaxes

I am definitely straying outside my area of expertise here. Foreign policy is complicated today. It was always complicated, but our modern world with all the wars and rumors of wars that abound is a minefield to negotiate. I do not pretend to have an authoritative word to end debate but an opinion to open the floor for your discussion. Among many of my friends, it is almost a given that the US' tendency toward intervention is a disaster. The gulf wars and Afghanistan would be exhibit A in their theory that we have caused more trouble than we have solved with our tendencies to send troops … [Read more...] about In Defense of US Military Intervention

I was blessed to speak at chapel at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on Tuesday. I didn't realize they were doing video (remember the camera adds 135 pounds!). Anyway, here is the video if anyone is interested.   … [Read more...] about At Midwestern 9/2/2014

Another Baptist college has run afoul of the accrediting agency SACS. In a letter dated July 9. 2014, SACS has alleged non-compliance with their Principles of Accreditation in at least 6 areas and Louisiana College now bears the burden of proving why its membership in SACS should not be withdrawn. They are back on SACS probation. Here is a link to the full letter from SACS, released by LC today. (LC SACS (here is another version in case the letter happens to disappear from LC's site). The six areas with which SACS has a problem are: PR 1.1 - Principles of Integrity SACS accuses LC … [Read more...] about Louisiana College Back in SACS Hot Water

I've been a regular attender of an SBC church since 9 months before I was born. It's all I've known. I attended a Baptist-affiliated college, then after a brief and blessed stay at a conservative but non-denominational seminary, I graduated from SWBTS. I'm SBC born, SBC bred, and when I die I'll be SBC dead. In fact, one of the strongest moments of divine call I had in my life was when I sense God's leading to return to the SBC fold and move from Dallas to Southwestern, to invest my life in the SBC. My dad was lobbying for me to find another place to serve - his frustration with the SBC of the … [Read more...] about Maybe the SBC Isn’t for You?

I do not know precisely what happened that tragic day when Officer Darrell Wilson shot Michael Brown to death. I've read some reports and watched some video, and gone back and forth thinking, "This is unconscionable police brutality and murder" to "Wow, what else could the officer do?" I don't have all the facts, just press reports and some opinions and a lot more questions than answers. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one left with some doubts, but most of the opinions I'm reading declaim with certainty and confidence that I just don't have. Those who opine seem assured that they … [Read more...] about Observations on the Ferguson Tragedy

I got challenged to pour a bucket of ice water on my head today, to help raise awareness (and funds, I guess) for ALS research. I've never really known anyone who had ALS, other than public figures, but I am aware of the disease - any lifelong Yankee fan knows about Lou Gehrig and the disease named after him. It is a terrible disease. I get appeals all the time from the heart fund, the cancer society, Jerry Lewis, Wounded Warriors, Susan G. Komen, the March of Dimes, and the Children's Miracle Network. They are all, I'm sure, worthy charities. There are hundreds of charities making hundreds … [Read more...] about Ice Buckets, Charity and Choices