This article was originally posted at Terrence Jones' blog, Live for Him or Die Trying. Please Forgive Me Let me take a moment to ask forgiveness for a statement that I cannot verify. In my first post I said, “No matter how they try to change the subject…” It infers that the timing of the social justice series is a diversion from the WASC report. It’s an unnecessary and unverifiable leap. I wish I had never used that phrase. It has caused some to dismiss the entire post, which is unfortunate. I ask forgiveness from Dr. MacArthur, Grace to You, and all others who may have been offended by … [Read more...] about The Truths that Dr. MacArthur’s Social Justice Series Won’t Change – Part 2 (by Terrence Jones)
Mystery Solved with Messiah Jesus (Amy Downey)
By now many of us have read the tragic news of the Southern California pastor who committed suicide due to an overwhelming sense of depression and loneliness. My heart weeps for his young wife and children who can never truly understand why, his church that is reeling from the sense of loss and confusion, and even this young man who saw death as less painful than the ache that was in his soul at the moment. Contrary to many, his action was not an act of selfishness but of desperation. His act was one of crying out for help but no one heard his cry. No one knew his desperation. No one knew his … [Read more...] about Mystery Solved with Messiah Jesus (Amy Downey)
Dealing with the Issue of Divisiveness In Our Convention (Greg Davidson)
Sorry, I forgot to credit Greg Davidson with this post. I deleted all the comments, which mostly seemed to be chastising GREG for my mistake. Now, feel free to start commenting on the post. I, like many, appreciate the loving Christ-like, Spirit-filled attitude of most in our Southern Baptist Convention. Most of us are committed to keeping the main thing the main thing. Yet, there are two small groups that have emerged in the SBC who are polarizing in their attitudes; and distracting some from their main mission. There is a small group on one side that I would refer to as out-of-balance … [Read more...] about Dealing with the Issue of Divisiveness In Our Convention (Greg Davidson)
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, SJW? (by Casey McCall)
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)