Guest Blogger

This post was originally published on "The Christian Post" on September 7, 2013. Mike Keas, Ph.D, is Senior Fellow of Discovery Institute (http://www.discovery.org/csc), Professor of History & Philosophy of Science (College at Southwestern http://college.swbts.edu), & teaches at Biola (http://www.biola.edu/scienceandreligion) In a comment on my last blog Hraefn refers to this statement from me: "God, if he exists, is the ultimate uncaused cause (self-existent being).” Hraefn responds (emphasis mine): Why must the creator of the universe, if such exists, be uncaused? By … [Read more...] about The God Question: Definitions and Sharing the Burden of Proof (by Mike Keas)

(We generally don't publish anonymous articles, but this one seemed a reasonable exception) There are two things I dread every Sunday. First, I dread reading the tweets and Facebook posts of my pastor friends who are “stoked” and “pumped” as they anticipate gathering with the greatest people God ever saved to worship in the greatest churches God every established to hug and celebrate and rejoice and experience a little heaven on earth. Second, I dread going to my church. That’s bad. I’m the pastor. As the week wears on and Sunday rolls around again, I get this nagging sense of dread in … [Read more...] about Confessions of a Discouraged Pastor (Anonymous)

This post was originally published at Dwight's blog, "A New Blog for a Pneuma Time." Comments here are closed.  The Bible says, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses” (1 Timothy 5:19). Three witnesses recently came forth to deliver charges of racially offensive comments from the lips of Dr. Ergun Caner, who recently resigned as President of Brewton-Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia. Dr. Caner did not resign when faced with the allegations of racist remarks. His trustee board—including Michael Pigg, a Black trustee—all stood by him. They did … [Read more...] about Is a Georgia Baptist College Covering Up Racism? (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr.)

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. "It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we would grow too fond of it."  -Robert E. Lee In its first 10 days in theaters, "American Sniper" grossed nearly $200 million.  While many critics have scoffed at this film, it is obvious that the American populace is enamored with the story of the late Chris Kyle.  This past week, I was one of that large … [Read more...] about “American Sniper” and the Christian Worldview (by Joel Rainey)

There's something insincere about any repentant admission that says, "Yes, I'm guilty---and so are you." I do not admit to being a racist, and neither do I think most Americans---white or otherwise---are. Many are racists, but most---or even, all? Contrary to the popular Evangelical party line these days, that cannot be established. It is not enough to point out that racism is sin, and as such, it comes from the fall of man, which affects us all. All are sinners, but not all are racists. Some good Christian black leader, whose article I've since lost track of, has explained that black … [Read more...] about Racial Reconciliation: Why Most Whites Just Don’t Get it (Ken Hamrick)

Tony Jones is pastor at the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. He blogs at http://thespiritualwoodshed.com/. I attended a conference a few months ago and one of the speakers said, “We need to quit being so weird.”  The remark, to be fair, sounded like a throw away line, but there was a glint of truth behind it.  The speaker never did define what he considered weird (he did give one situational example) and I was left pondering the meaning of the word weird and what it had to do with Christianity. We have been told to look different than the culture.  It’s even biblical in Romans 12, … [Read more...] about Stop being so weird (Tony Jones)

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder – this is the third in a series of posts that will go up fairly rapid-fire. That’s because I got busy today and didn’t set them to post when I should have.  Bah humbug! Bad news all around...but...here's my list of the top good news stories for SBCers in 2014: 1. Lottie Moon hits record total, $154.1 million. Southern Baptists may be giving less to the Cooperative Program and less of their disposable income to churches and mission causes, SBC entities may be mired in retrenchment mode because of flat or declining giving, but the Lottie Moon Christmas … [Read more...] about Top SBC “Good News” Stories for 2014 (by William Thornton)

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder – this is the second in a series of posts that will go up fairly rapid-fire. That’s because I got busy today and didn’t set them to post when I should have.  Part 1 is here. While you were reading the latest on Hobby Lobby, the Affordable Care Act, and the new Pope, these are some things of interest to Southern Baptists. You likely will not see these in any summary of the year's top Baptist stories in regular outlets. Florida Baptist Convention Settles $12.5 Million Sex Abuse Case   Background and summary of this game changing sex abuse case may … [Read more...] about Top 2014 SBC News Stories – Part 2 (by William Thornton)

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder - this is the first in a series of posts that will go up fairly rapid-fire. That's because I got busy today and didn't set them to post when I should have.  Here is my list of top news stories of interest to Southern Baptists for this year, with insightful and witty commentary. I am presuming that all SBCers will be focused on football the next few days and will not be making any significant news between now and the end of 2014. My ranking is completely subjective. 1. David Platt elected president of the International Mission Board At the tender … [Read more...] about Top 2014 SBC News Stories – Part 1 (by William Thornton)