Dave Miller

What makes someone a Pharisee? We have a tendency to use the term as a pejorative, to label those with whom we disagree. It is common for those who lean a little to the left to label fundamentalists and conservatives as Pharisees. The appellation was common, and I believe largely unfair, in the Baptist Identity debate that dominated Baptist blogs a few years back. We tend to put this bullet in the gun and aim it at those on the other side of whatever debate in which we are currently involved. That is not what this series of posts is going to be about. There is little to be gained from … [Read more...] about You Might Be a Pharisee If…You Attempt in the Flesh What Only God Can Do

We live in a world of laws. There is, for instance, the law of gravity – one that I have grown less enthused about as I have grown older and heavier. There are the laws of thermodynamics and physics and mathematics – most of which I do not really understand. There are also laws of human interaction, observations about the way things are in our crazy world. Perhaps the most famous of those laws is the one that takes effect every time I pick up a tool to try to do something mechanical – Murphy’s Law. If anything can go wrong, IT WILL! There is another law, which perhaps, like the pirates … [Read more...] about Am I a Pharisee? (Introduction)

I have written many an article questioning the decisions and actions of those in leadership in our convention. I think it is one of blogging's purposes and, if done rightly, a way that our big ol' blogging mouths can serve the convention well. It is also important that we note leaders who lead well. Dr. Paul Chitwood is one of those leaders. He is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and is demonstrating repeatedly that he should and can be an important leader for our denomination's future. Last year, he sponsored a conference on Calvinism that attempted to bridge the … [Read more...] about When a Leader Leads: Dr. Paul Chitwood’s Response to Campbellsville University

I've seen it several times recently. "We are following the old paths!" I got an invitation to an "Old-Fashioned" tent revival. As the modern world rushes headlong in new, strange and frightening ways, there is a tendency for us to try to hold on to what is old, what is comfortable - that which we have known. We look back to the middle of the 20th Century as a golden age for the church (well, white Americans do - blacks probably don't remember that era of church-approved racism, discrimination and segregation quite so fondly!). I've known people (lots of them) who think that everything that … [Read more...] about The “Old Path” Is Not Always the Best Path – The KJV Is a Great Example!

J. Lee Grady is a former editor of Charisma magazine and the director of The Mordecai Project, who still writes for the magazine. Charisma is a leading charismatic journal, one with which most of us would have a lot of disagreement. I read a recent Charisma article by him, "No More Pentecostal Popemobiles." It was a great article on its own merits, but it also was an example of what we need to see more of in the SBC. In the article, he suggests that charismatics draw a line in the sand and not put up with any more shenanigans from big name charismatic preachers. NO MORE BODYGUARDS. We have … [Read more...] about The SBC Needs Some J. Lee Gradys!

The exalted Rev. William Thornton put up a challenging piece last week on his new blog, "Cooperative Program Observer" and allowed us to repost it here, called "One thing I have never heard concerning the Cooperative Program." He challenged those who criticize the Cooperative Program to devise a better system. I am a big fan of the CP and cannot think of a system that is any better. But in the discussion, questions came up about the requirements for participation in the SBC. A church gets a messenger for every $250 it gives to convention causes through the CP. That formula has been in place … [Read more...] about Is This a Dumb Idea? A CP Suggestion

This is a follow-up on the article I published this morning. Most of you young whippersnappers don't know what a hymnal is, but it is a book of songs the church has sung through the years, to teach theology and to lead the church in worship. There is (though many of you perhaps have never seen one - getting the sarcasm?) a "Baptist Hymnal" - one designed specifically for use in Baptist churches. It has hymns by Anglicans like John Newton (Amazing Grace). It has hymns by Charles Wesley (of the Methodist Wesleys!). It has hymns by another Methodist, Fanny Crosby. (To God Be the … [Read more...] about Is the Baptist Hymnal “Denominational Treason?”

St. Peter was showing a new arrival through heaven. (Bad theology and really old joke alert!) He took him through the pearly gates on the streets of gold, showing him the lay of the land. But at one door, Peter stopped and put his finger to his lips. They tiptoed by until they were well past the door. The new arrival queried, "Peter, why were we so quiet there?" Peter shook his head and said, "That's the Southern Baptists - they think they are the only ones here." Now, for a true story. The year was 1979, a big year for theology and for Southern Baptists. I had just come back from Houston … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists and Spiritual Myopia

It all came down to the wire in the SBC Voices NCAA Basketball Bracket Challenge. I faded out LONG ago, having picked Kansas and Indiana to square off in the title game. Until tonight's championship, my brother Steve, a Georgia pastor was in the lead. I would have loved for him to win. He is my older brother, but frankly, he was shorted in intelligence, charisma, looks and athletic talent in comparison to me, so having this victory would have meant something to him. Unfortunately, his picks had all played out and there was actually no way he was going to win, even though he had the … [Read more...] about Congratulations “MABTS06” – Andy Hynes – SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Champ