Dave Miller

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

It is considered almost a truism that conservative Christians, who believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman and that homosexual behavior is sinful, are hateful, cruel, homophobic, intolerant and just plain evil. And, unfortunately, that has perhaps been the case with some churches, some pastors in some situations. At times, our rhetoric has been intemperate. The liberal orthodoxy is clear: conservative Christians are homophobic, hateful bigots. It is, in my opinion, a lie that is not founded in reality. Those who accuse us of bigotry and hatred are engaging in lazy and … [Read more...] about Dealing Redemptively with the Hate and Intolerance of the Left

It has been a remarkable phenomenon taking place in the last few years, and the tide only seems to be getting stronger. Since the halcyon days of the Moral Majority, the Republican Party has been the proud defender of "traditional family values." We knew that much of this support was tepid at best, but it was there nonetheless. The party platform opposed abortion, an unspeakable evil that must be opposed by anyone with basic moral sense. It stood for the "traditional family" against many initiatives pushed by the social progressives on the other side of the aisle. But the struggle was most … [Read more...] about Let’s Face It, Christian Republicans. We’ve Been Used!

Thanks, Greg, for sharing this (in the comments)! I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today... … [Read more...] about Jesus Is Better

Okay, confession time. I'm a musical theater geek. In my small Baptist college, I was in the communications department, which included theater. I was Arvide Abernathy in "Guys and Dolls" (thankfully, no video exists). I played a dynamite pirate in a summer children's theater production (Aargh!) and performed what is generally considered to be the worst-ever performance of the  balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet during a class. A rose by any other name, and all. I've written and produced plays (at church, not Broadway, of course). My two youngest children both got involved in show choir … [Read more...] about Biblical Christianity Needs Both Javert and Valjean.