I read Bart Barber's recent suggestion on Lent with interest. I see staunch anti-papists in my newsfeed as well as those who have no issue with poaching and learning from other faith traditions. At the risk of a(nother) well-earned lesson from the well-learned Dr. Barber, I'd like to dive into this. So how do we determine a best path through the issue? Let us consider two sides of the coin: Catholic Tradition and the evangelical understanding of the Bible. The Catholics Catholic teaching presents Lent as a spiritual practice drawing us closer to God through self-examination and … [Read more...] about A Lenten Analysis
A Sense of Loyalty in the New IMB
When expressing opinions, I've been accused of being an emotional cripple who cares nothing for the feelings of others. I try to formulate opinions as objectively as I can, expressing them diplomatically and without personal rancor; I like to think my faithfulness to honesty trumps everything else. A logical corollary to the charge of hard-heartedness is that I'm disloyal; if I don't sign on to the right projects with the right fervor I must be one of those folks who support people right up until they disagree with me. We're nearly two years into the new IMB, led by President Blank Check.* … [Read more...] about A Sense of Loyalty in the New IMB
Applying IMB Lessons to the SBC President Vote
I usually stay out of denominational functions that are not IMB-centric. Blame isolation, not apathy; with 8,900 miles between my home church and my actual home, involvement opportunities in SBC life rarely float by. However, the SBC election has piqued* my interest simply because I've seen what a strong leader can accomplish in the SBC. Whether you're a Plattite or not, the IMB's president has taken some amazing steps that I never believed possible. *Dear Internet users: this is the proper spelling. Take note. I realize Kevin Ezell and Thom Rainer deserve heavy mitting for their … [Read more...] about Applying IMB Lessons to the SBC President Vote
The Trinity’s Work in Inspiration
I'm a fairly poor multi-tasker. The only set of skills that provide me with multi-tasking abilities are culinary in nature. I can bake whole wheat bread while brushing the potato croquets with butter topping and stuffing the almond-crusted chicken breasts before dipping the strawberries in chocolate, and have it all ready at the exact moment I finish hand-washing all the dishes. The only kitchen task I cannot perform simultaneously with anything else involves pouring a glass of water from our filtered water dispenser. I've emptied that 5 gallon bottle more times than I can recall, and … [Read more...] about The Trinity’s Work in Inspiration
The Christian Refugee Problem
Theodore R. Whistlemeyer here with a tale of Woe! Of Danger! I am verily a voice crying out in the wilderness, a watchman on the wall! Do you realize the mess we're in here folks? Syria is disgorging its disgruntled masses, "refugees" from their own socialistic mismanagement, all set to flood all of Christendom in the name of political asylum. Kosovo is purging its streets! Albanian beggars and Iranian goatherds have abandoned their hovels in exchange for greener European and American pastures! Nigerians and Iraqis and Pakistanis, oh my! Let us call this what it is, my friends: … [Read more...] about The Christian Refugee Problem
Calling and Training in the New Missions Paradigm
IMB President David Platt envisions a day when the IMB will support, train, and partner with 10,000 SBC missionaries. Obviously the organization cannot accomplish this financially, so another avenue must remain. Realistically, the number of IMB-funded workers internationally will not rise about 4,000 unless donations to SBC missions go counter to current trends. Who will account for the other 6,000 missionaries, and how might churches be involved? A few suggestions: Business is international. Men and women cruise the globe at 35,000 feet, going places missionaries cannot. What could … [Read more...] about Calling and Training in the New Missions Paradigm
Questions and Answers Regarding the IMB
The recent series of articles about the IMB has raised issues about the reduction of personnel and its impact on long-term finances. I would like to address just a few of these from a field worker's perspective. Unless I say otherwise everything in quotes below is a faithful paraphrase or summary, not an actual quote. Oh, and get some coffee: this is a long one. __________________ Ministry vs. business Some readers object to the business-like approach Team Platt has taken in regards to finances. Cutting workers hardly sounds like faithful reliance on God's provision. Offering … [Read more...] about Questions and Answers Regarding the IMB
Another Blank Check
One of IMB President David Platt's favorite metaphors continues to be the "blank check." He mentioned it in his book "Radical" and frequently uses the phrase to inspire Christians to commit themselves to great sacrifices in keeping with God's calling. Platt has used this comparison to praise current and former IMB workers whose lives were freely given without limiting the depth and breadth of their commitments to God. He frequently exhorts those who are considering the Voluntary Retirement Incentive (VRI) to consider this blank check in responding to God's guidance. New workers who … [Read more...] about Another Blank Check
The Ethics of the Ashley Madison Data Dump
Knock knock! Who's there? Ashley Madison! Ashley Madison who? Seriously, I don't know any Ashley Madison. Baby, wait...my frat buddies and their pranks, right? Baby? Babe? I was hacked! Umm... Let's all go ahead and stipulate a few things here, shall we? - We all sin, sometimes horribly. We have much in common with the users of Ashely Madison (known by its company initials, ALM), starting with our own frailty and sinful natures. - Evil will out. Sooner or later, many of our mistakes, sins, and crimes rise to the surface. There's a biblical precedent for such a notion, one that … [Read more...] about The Ethics of the Ashley Madison Data Dump
Samaritans, Jews, and Gentiles: A Largely Irrelevant Discussion
I'm going to be straight with you: nothing of eternal import follows. I get these odd spirituality-related thoughts that will never improve lives. My first wife* has little patience with my non-salient rumination, preferring to stick with matters that help us know God more intimately and - in her mind - relevantly. *First out of one. I suppose some frivolous questions can lead us to newer thoughts and perspectives, which in turn helps us grasp deeper issues. And then there's the stuff I bring up to Wife while she's netflixing. Does Mark 8: 28 imply Jews believed in reincarnation? … [Read more...] about Samaritans, Jews, and Gentiles: A Largely Irrelevant Discussion