Dave Miller

Bart Barber has published a post, "A Statement of Southern Baptist Soteriological Unity." It contains, if my count is correct, 33 affirmations, acknowledgements and denials concerning how Southern Baptists can find common ground in the Soteriological wars. I only have one problem with the document: I wish I'd written it.  Go, read Bart's statement and think about it. Do we not all agree on these issues? Can we not unite around these things. Is there anyone within the SBC who cannot affirm that document? Doesn't it show that we have MUCH more in common than we do in distinction, even in … [Read more...] about An Important Post from Bart Barber: A Statement of Southern Baptist Soteriological Unity

(Not that Dr. Hankins needs my defense! He works at academic heights and I am more of a blue-collar guy. But I want to defend his right to forcefully state his views, as he did today at SBC Today.) I did not sign the Traditionalist document last summer for a simple reason - I don't agree with some of the theology expressed in it. In addition, I believed that some who promoted and supported the Traditionalist document came from a mindset that threatened to divide and destroy our denomination. I perceived a definite anti-Calvinist bent within many, especially those who blogged about it, in the … [Read more...] about In Defense of Dr. Eric Hankins and SBC Today

A few years back at our annual pastor's conference I was sitting around a circle talking to a bunch of young guys. (I shouldn't mention that the circle was the hotel hot tub, because our readers might not want that mental picture.) I had a sudden moment of realization  sitting in that circle. I was now the old, established, voice of experience doling out advice to these young pastors. When did that happen? So, I'd like to invite you young whippersnappers to my virtual hot tub today to give you a little unsolicited advice. Some of you are old codgers like me - you can take the day off or … [Read more...] about An Old Codger’s Unsolicited Advice to You Young Whippersnappers

Is a Christian required in the New Testament era to tithe - to give 10% of his or her income to the Lord's work? Do the Old Testament commandments on tithing apply to New Testament Christians? Blogging is a fascinating thing. Topics seem to run in cycles. A few years ago there were few topics more controversial and common among Baptist bloggers than tithing, but I can't remember the last post I've seen on the subject. I guess we have been more focused on how churches are giving to the convention than how people are giving to their churches. We've hashed and rehashed soteriological issues ad … [Read more...] about The New Testament Standard of Giving

Some months ago, I reached my limit on Calvinism discussions here at SBC Voices. We've had a few articles posted here related to the topic, but I have turned down several posts that have been submitted to me that focused on Calvinism - pro or con. Based on my observations of dozens (hundreds?) of posts and thousands of comments on the topic, I formed the opinion that Southern Baptists generally lacked the ability to discuss this issue in a Christ-honoring and productive way. Comments seemed to devolve into petty mudslinging almost immediately. Then Dr. Frank Page formed a Calvinism study … [Read more...] about Toward a Productive Discussion of Calvinism

I hate when I see churches and Christian organizations engaged in hype, in PR. I think it is contrary to the way of Christ. We are used to hype and PR in the secular world. Lance Armstrong engaged in a massive campaign of PR hype for years, claiming to be clean, to be a victim of a massive conspiracy. Then the truth came out. How many times heave politicians or businessmen or sports executives played the "nothing is wrong" or "deny, deny, deny" game right up until the world crashes around them. And then the truth comes out. Now, instead of following Scripture, the church has bought into … [Read more...] about The Pernicious Effects of Hype and PR in Christian Organizations

It is not as bad as it sounds. I am in 99% enthusiastic support of the Baptist Faith and Message statement of 2000. I also agree that we need to have a confession of faith that defines our common doctrine and practice. I do not view the BF&M as an authoritative document - it is not a creed. But it is a useful doctrinal statement to which I give my essential support. But I do not completely and fully adhere to the document. Some of my disagreements are picky and essentially insignificant - quarrels over wording. I have one area in which I stand in strong disagreement with and violation … [Read more...] about I Disagree with the BF&M: Does It Matter?

I enjoyed watching the twitter comments scroll by almost as much as the game. Baptists really love their football. But right after the Dodge Ram Commercial about farmers, my Twitter feed lit up. For the people I follow, that commercial was the unquestioned winner of the night. Here's the ad. Now, here is what Owen Strachan said about the commercial. The commercial breaks show the polar Americas: one loving nobility & honor & country, the other loving lust & hedonism & self Nailed it! GoDaddy.com has stooped as low as they can to sell their product. I will not … [Read more...] about Dodge Ram, GoDaddy and Owen Strachan

  Here is my prediction on the game: I don't care. Since the two teams-of-great-evil were defeated (Green Bay Packers and New Evil Patriots), and my man-crush Peyton Manning got knocked out, I don't care. If San Fran wins, cool. If Ray Lewis wins, cool. I will make one prediction: Coach Harbaugh's team will win. I will be in church tonight, feeling smug and superior to all of you who cancelled church. But the DVR will be recording it. … [Read more...] about A Harbaugh Bowl Open Forum