This article was originally posted at Prince on Preaching, the website of Dr. David Prince, and was written by Casey McCall, pastor of Ashland Oldham County in Buckner, KY. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) is rightly known today for his preaching. The pioneer mega-church pastor attracted weekly crowds numbering in the thousands to his Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England. His sermons were distributed all over the world with an estimated 100 million copies being sold by the time of his death. By all accounts, Spurgeon’s ministry stands as one of the most numerically fruitful in … [Read more...] about Charles Haddon Spurgeon, SJW? (by Casey McCall)
The Truths that Dr. MacArthur’s Social Justice Series Won’t Change (by Terrence Jones)
This article was originally posted at Terrance Jones' blog, Live for Him or Die Trying. I’m far from perfect. I have made many mistakes in my life, both before and after Christ. If perfection is the requirement to sound an alarm then you should stop reading now. I have not met that standard. I stand only because of the grace of God and the perfect record of the spotless lamb, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins (past, present and future). I also want to affirm that I will never forget my time at The Master’s Seminary. The things I’m about to say, do not negate the reality that I was shaped … [Read more...] about The Truths that Dr. MacArthur’s Social Justice Series Won’t Change (by Terrence Jones)
Cancer… Just Another Bump in the Road
by CJ Adkins It's the thought in the back of every cancer survivor's mind. What if it comes back? None of us who have come through life threatening battles with cancer want to even think about going down that road again, but sometimes it happens. It appears it has happened to me - again. As most of my friends know, I was diagnosed in December 2004 with Stage 4, "Incurable but hopefully manageable" Colon Cancer. After having surgery to remove 3 1/2 feet of my intestines, I went on a 6 month course of Chemotherapy to kill the tumors that were throughout my liver. A Radio Frequency … [Read more...] about Cancer… Just Another Bump in the Road
Christians Facing Serious Crisis in California (Greg Davidson)
The California Statehouse certainly has the reputation of passing legislation that is extreme and activist against Christians and their Biblical worldview. Recently the Supreme Court struck down AB775, a law passed by the California Assembly and Senate and signed into law by the Governor, that would have forced pro-life clinics to post notices, and tell mothers they can abort their babies and have California taxpayers foot the bill via the state's Medi-Cal program. Now we are facing what might be the most dangerous piece of legislation yet. AB2943, a bill backed and supported by the … [Read more...] about Christians Facing Serious Crisis in California (Greg Davidson)
What I Learned from John Bisagno (Dean Stewart)
My week began with the news that John Bisagno, longtime pastor of First Baptist Houston, had died. Knowing that Bro. John lived a long, full life and had honored our Savior all along the way I celebrate his passing. I am certain in glory he echoes God’s Word, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” In a day when we read too often the sad news of our heroes stumbling to the finish line, it is worth noting that Bro. John hit the tape running well. Bro. John was one of the first men in ministry that I … [Read more...] about What I Learned from John Bisagno (Dean Stewart)
Signs of a Healthy Church? Lessons from Multiplying Churches in Asia (Don Dent)
In the summer of 2018, I joined five other Southern Baptist theological educators visiting IMB work in a specific segment of Asia. For 9 days we studied and assessed networks of reproducing churches organized in networks - 20,000 new churches in 8 years. One motivation for this assessment was to see whether such movements are producing healthy churches. Frankly, many critics in America simply do not believe healthy churches can develop so quickly. Here are vignettes I witnessed that raise the question of what really is a healthy church. 1. These churches multiply, i.e. churches plant … [Read more...] about Signs of a Healthy Church? Lessons from Multiplying Churches in Asia (Don Dent)
A Plea to Our Predecessors (Scott M. Douglas)
Last night my heart was grieved yet again as I read (yet again) another essay from an older SBC statesman lamenting that things "ain't what they used to be." With more straw men and mischaracterizations and a healthy dose of fear mongering, I was grieved not because of how the Convention is portrayed or how its trajectory is mislabeled. I was grieved because again I found myself saying "Is this really how you want to go out?" Several years ago during our national meeting, one of the architects of what can only be described as the miraculous Conservative Resurgence took his final address and … [Read more...] about A Plea to Our Predecessors (Scott M. Douglas)
What is Worship? Marrying Corporate and Individual Worship (Eric Reeves)
In every aspect of our corporate worship, music has become synonymous with worship. At our Baptist colleges and seminaries, getting a worship degree means being a music major and not a theology major. I will not attempt to explore why we have conflated music and worship. Instead, I would like to explore what worship actually is with the hope that we can begin to shift our perspectives. I firmly believe the biblical idea of worship is the fulfilling of God’s purpose for humanity, nothing more and nothing less. Corporate Worship We must define our terms before we can begin to delve into a … [Read more...] about What is Worship? Marrying Corporate and Individual Worship (Eric Reeves)
Sacrificing at the Altar of Love One Another (Melissa Edgington)
Jesus was no people pleaser. He wasn’t predictable or palatable or pandering or polite. Yet, He consistently and completely carried out His mission to bring ultimate glory to His Father. Sometimes He did that through speaking. Sometimes by remaining quiet. Sometimes He delivered harsh truths to people. Yes, He taught people their worth. But, He also taught us how far we are from the holiness of the One True God. He was born the Prince of Peace, yet He also said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn … [Read more...] about Sacrificing at the Altar of Love One Another (Melissa Edgington)
SBC & Politics: Why I Made a Motion to Exclude Politicians from the Annual Meeting (Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr.)
At the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention, I made a motion that beginning in 2019 the SBC would refrain from allowing elected officials to speak at the Convention. The exception was for the host Mayor or appropriate official to give a welcome greeting and to receive thanks from the Convention for hosting the Convention. The reason I feel it is time for such a position for the Convention is multi-fold. It has nothing to do with Vice President Mike Pence speaking at the 2018 Convention. In my opinion, Vice President Pence and Mrs. Pence are good godly people. Though some were calling for the … [Read more...] about SBC & Politics: Why I Made a Motion to Exclude Politicians from the Annual Meeting (Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr.)