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
Congratulations “MABTS06” – Andy Hynes – SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Champ
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
Fun and Fashion at the BCI Pastor’s Conference
We value dignity in the SBC! … [Read more...] about Fun and Fashion at the BCI Pastor’s Conference
Dealing Redemptively with the Hate and Intolerance of the Left
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
Let’s Face It, Christian Republicans. We’ve Been Used!
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!
Jesus Is Better
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
Biblical Christianity Needs Both Javert and Valjean.
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.
Breaking News: Dr. Russell Moore Elected President of ERLC
In a move that shocked and amazed absolutely no one, Dr. Russell Moore was elected today as the eighth president of the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. You can read the details in Baptist Press. From the time that Dr. Richard Land announced his retirement, Vegas odds-makers had Dr. Moore as the prohibitive favorite to be elected to this position. (No, Vegas does not make book about Baptist politics - relax!) The Baptist Press article has a series of quotes by a wide range of SBC leaders, all praising the selection. From Dr. Land: "I am … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Dr. Russell Moore Elected President of ERLC
Did the Same People Shout “Hosanna” and “Crucify?”
This morning, I saw a question on the Holy Rev. Dr. Marty Duren's Facebook asking: Is there biblical evidence that those who cried 'Hosanna' on Palm Sunday were the ones who days later cried 'crucify Him'? Most in the discussion answered the question in the negative. They seemed to think that the group that praised Jesus at the Triumphal Entry was pretty much a different bunch than the ones who later that week screamed for Jesus' blood. One commenter referenced an article on Challies.com (by guest blogger John Ensor) called "The Crowd Was Not Fickle." He argues that "the crowd" in Matthew … [Read more...] about Did the Same People Shout “Hosanna” and “Crucify?”
The Problem with Jesus
For centuries, the Jews had awaited the day when Messiah would come. They talked about it, groaned for it and prayed diligently to see that day come. False messiahs rose up and led many astray to destruction. But finally, the Christ came. Just as the prophet Zechariah had foretold, he came riding in on a donkey, a humble beast of burden. “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” Matthew 21:5 (citing Zechariah 9:9) And Jerusalem exploded with excitement. They knew the stories of this … [Read more...] about The Problem with Jesus