Much has been said regarding Resolution 9, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality (CRT/I) since Birmingham. Some are in agreement and some are in disagreement, but from my interactions with others actually aware of the debate, most are indifferent and confused. This is something I understand because I’m just as confused about all the nuances of […]
“Blessed Are the Gentle” (Chapel Tribute for James Leo Garrett Jr.) – Dr. Malcolm Yarnell
(This chapel message was preached by Dr. Yarnell after the passing of distinguished SWBTS professor Dr. Garrett.) Our key texts today are found in Matthew 5 and 11. Among the first beatitudes of his inaugural sermon, Jesus said, “Blessed are the gentle [hoi praeis], for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Later, after praying […]
A Statement For all Baptists (Luke Holmes)
Controversy is not new to Baptist life. More than sixty years ago many promised fireworks at the annual meeting if their issues were not addressed, others predicted a convention divided, and everyone was grumbling about supposed problems with professors. I’m not talking about our most recent controversy though. Those issues and more were at stake […]
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It (Chris Gordon)
I can tell you the batting average of Dale Murphy from his 1983 NL MVP season rose 21 points from his 1982 MVP season(.281 to .302). Much to the chagrin of my poor wife I might add, I am a statistical nerd. It’s true I hated Statistics in college though. No not stats, but Statistics, […]
The ERLC Is Imperative (Dr. Susan Codone)
I will tell them that a Convention that does not have room for Dr. Moore does not have room for me either, but also for every other Southern Baptist, because Dr. Moore represents the best of all of us. Whether we are healing from sexual abuse, fighting abortion, influencing public policy, or just simply being Christlike in a Convention filled with strife, Dr. Moore and the ERLC are steady stewards of the Bible first and the Baptist Faith & Message second. Finally, I will tell them that there are many other issues in the SBC that desperately need investigating but Dr. Moore and the ERLC are not one of them.
Like a Broken Cup and Superglue (Dr. David Norman)
Each year, Southern Baptists gather before the annual meeting for the SBC Pastor’s Conference. During this time, Baptists are treated to some of the best preaching the convention (and often, the larger evangelical world) has to offer. This week, Baptist Press released the speaker list for the 2020 SBC Pastor’s Conference scheduled in Orlando. But before considering […]
Suspended & Silenced by an SBC Pastor (Dr. Susan Codone)
Dr. Susan Codone is an “SBC Voice” – an active and supportive Southern Baptist. Her approach to this issue has been direct but it has honored local church autonomy. The church in question is free to do as it chooses, but she is also free to dissent and to put public pressure on that church […]
Malcolm Yarnell Thread on Autonomy and Discipline
Recently, Dr. Malcolm Yarnell from SWBTS posted a Twitter thread on how Autonomy and Discipline can work together in SBC life, based on his experience and understanding. He has cleaned it up into paragraphs and I thought it would be valuable here for your perusal. Later today (or this week, depending,) I will post my […]
Will this be the Last Christmas for Syrian Christians?
Guest Post by Dr. Eric Costanzo, pastor, South Tulsa Baptist Church. In Syria, this may be the last Christmas for Christian communities who’ve been there since the first century. If the U.S. fails to act, ancient Christian communities dating back to the Book of Acts might soon be deserted. Since the first mission movements of […]
It’s Complicated: Hong Kong and the Church – Part 1 (Shawn Powers)
A Cry for Understanding The day started like any other. As I reviewed about a dozen messages sent me overnight, one message stood out, it was from Hong Kong. My friend wrote, If Jesus is good, why does he not just come and help Hong Kong right now? The private message, sent me through a […]
Re-Thinking Our Lottie Moon Giving (Dr. Steve Horn)
Some years ago, our church hosted an International Mission Board speaker to speak to us about his work and the importance of giving to that year’s offering. As I introduced him, I challenged our church to erase whatever we thought we were going to give and be receptive to hearing from God. At the very […]
The Credentials Committee: A Call for Patience (Susan Codone & Megan Lively)
The Southern Baptist Convention seems to have been frozen in time for a few decades, entrenched in doctrinal disagreements, ongoing concerns of sexual and spiritual abuse, and so focused on operational autonomy that renders it unable to police itself. For good reason, a small army has risen to protest the harm this torpor has generated. […]