We still have the promises of God intact. We can, perhaps, be as thankful for 1 Timothy 2:1-3 as we should have been all of our lives. Why do Christians expect more than that in this world? We still have tolerance for religious freedom. How has it ever been more than tolerance for idolatry? We still have the truth about sexual expression in a holy way. Why do Christians obsess over one form of sexual sin and virtually ignore fornication and adultery? We still have the right to marry as Christians and to pursue Christian marriage. Why do Christians expect the godless to desire that for … [Read more...] about Pondering Our Times (Jerry Corbaley)
I’ve Heard LifeWay’s Critics and I’m Not Convinced. Here’s Why. (Brent Hobbs)
Brent Hobbs is Lead Elder/Pastor of New Song Fellowship in Virginia Beach. He blogs at Brenthobbs.com Over the past year, there's been a small but constant stream of criticism in SBC social media about certain books available in LifeWay stores. A few titles and authors are brought up frequently as evidence that LifeWay leadership must not care about sound doctrine or that they care about money more than biblical faithfulness. I reject those characterizations and you should too. Everyone agrees there should be a line drawn determining what books LifeWay should sell. The issue for us today … [Read more...] about I’ve Heard LifeWay’s Critics and I’m Not Convinced. Here’s Why. (Brent Hobbs)
The Jurassic Park Within All of Us (Andrew Green)
Andrew Green is pastor of First Baptist Church in Marble Hill, MO. In 1993 I still remember going to my cousin’s house and watching Jurassic Park. As a ten year old boy I remember sitting in awe as the mighty T-Rex attacked the two SUV’s filled with people and upon hearing the roar of the T-Rex I felt goosebumps. The movie was a hit at the box office and until the Titanic was released in 1997 it was the highest grossing movie in the American box office and as of 2013 the movie had grossed well over a billion dollars. The movie would spawn off two sequels and Jurassic World a fourth sequel is … [Read more...] about The Jurassic Park Within All of Us (Andrew Green)
Let’s Recover BIBLICAL (i.e. Congregational) Church Discipline (by Adam Blosser)
Adam Blosser is the pastor of Drakes Branch Baptist Church and blogs at One True Joy, where this article first appeared. Church discipline has made its way into the news recently as a result of a situation at The Village Church in Dallas, Texas. I first became aware of the situation there as a result of some watchdog blogs picking up the story. It began to spread like wildfire on social media. Then Sunday I opened up my computer to discover that the front page of Yahoo had picked up the story. I was grieved as I read the way the Bible's teaching on church discipline was misrepresented to … [Read more...] about Let’s Recover BIBLICAL (i.e. Congregational) Church Discipline (by Adam Blosser)
Living in John Bunyan’s “Vanity Fair” (Paul Thompson)
This was originally published at "The Bridge" - Paul's blog. It is the allegorical ancient town of Vanity Fair that John Bunyan describes an atmosphere where “jugglings, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, rogues, and that of all sorts,” were happening all day and all night. As well as, “thefts, murders, adulteries, false-swearers, and that of a blood-red color.” Is there any connection that a pop-culture magazine, where merchandise is bought and sold “as houses, lands, trades, places, honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures, and delights of all sorts, as … [Read more...] about Living in John Bunyan’s “Vanity Fair” (Paul Thompson)
Help, I Still Live in White America (by Tony Jones)
Tony Jones is the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. Editor's note: Rich Hill is on the southern end of the same county of my church (northern end). Rich Hill’s population is 95% white, and Bates County clocks in around 96% white. (Mike Bergman) I am, at this moment, sitting in the main lobby of Children’s Mercy Medical Center in downtown Kansas City. I live in Rich Hill, Missouri, a town of approximately 1500 residents which, until approximately 35 years ago had a sign that warned black people not to be caught in town after dark. I hope the title of this post shocked … [Read more...] about Help, I Still Live in White America (by Tony Jones)
A Word from Baptist Global Response
I was delighted to see William Thornton's post about Baptist Global Response on SBC Voices -- and the many positive comments that were made. I wanted to offer a word from BGR and open a line of communication for those who want to know more. Our mission statement says Baptist Global Response "connects people in need with people who care." The “people in need” are communities overseas suffering from acute problems such as disasters, wars, epidemics, etc., as well as chronic problems including poverty, hunger, poor health, etc. BGR is unapologetically Christian and Southern Baptist. We are … [Read more...] about A Word from Baptist Global Response
Is “Tribalism” a Threat to Your Church? (Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey leads the Engagement Team for Evangelism and Missions at the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He is on the adjunct faculty of two seminaries, and the author of three books. He blogs at Themelios, where this was originally posted. Hopefully, it will surprise no one reading these words to discover that I'm a Baptist. I was brought to a Baptist church for the first time when I was just a few days old. I heard the message of Jesus, and became one of His followers in a Baptist church. I was licensed and duly ordained as a Baptist minister, I'm a two-time graduate of a Baptist seminary, … [Read more...] about Is “Tribalism” a Threat to Your Church? (Joel Rainey)
It’s Time to Love Baltimore (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey leads the Engagement Team for Evangelism and Missions at the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network. He is on the adjunct faculty of two seminaries, and the author of three books. He blogs at Themelios, where this was originally posted. Human beings are, at one and the same time, created in God's image and likeness, and separated from God because of their sin. And the more human beings you have located in the same place, the more obvious those two realities become. Living within the shadow of Baltimore Maryland for over a decade, I can recall many moments when that great city has … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Love Baltimore (by Joel Rainey)
Behold (by Paul Thompson)
We strain the eyes to behold the things we cherish. This is why eye contact with a loved one is important. When I participate in wedding ceremonies my favorite thing to do while the bride is walking in is to get a good look and the groom... that man's eyes are always fixed on his bride while she's entering and walking toward him. Who do Christians behold? Who does your church behold? I'm in the seventh week of a bible study with several folks in my church called "Behold Your God". My take-away from last night’s discussion and last week’s bible study has me considering what this church … [Read more...] about Behold (by Paul Thompson)