William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. The International Mission Board will announce the 2013 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions at the convention next month but is "estimating a $3-5 million increase" over the $149.3 million offering for 2012. This would mean the largest Lottie Moon offering in history, something around $153 million. In 2006 and 2007 the LMCO went above $150 million but not since and never above $150.4 million. While the offering is short of the $175 million goal, the unrealistic goal that was set in 2009 and kept each year since, it is a healthy … [Read more...] about Good news: Lottie Moon Offering expected to be an increase over last year (by William Thornton)
The Mirage of Same-Sex Marriage (by Paul Thompson)
Paul Thompson blogs at "The Bridge." In her statement released on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale said, “After careful consideration, the Court finds Idaho’s Marriage Laws unconstitutional.” (full ruling)I thought that I should read the ruling before offering a response. I’ve just finished reading the ruling. Wow, that was not easy. First the positive effect of reading the ruling; my vocabulary has now deepened. The value of reading the ruling will help me know how to express my thoughts. I now know what I’m responding to. The ruling will not go into place … [Read more...] about The Mirage of Same-Sex Marriage (by Paul Thompson)
Resolutions for the SBC Annual Meeting (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)
RESOLUTIONS ON: 1. The NFL Same-Sex Kiss and Their Failure to Recognize Kenny Washington; 2. The Washington “Redskins” Racially Insensitive and Racist Mascot; 3. Amending “Stand Your Ground Laws” In States That Have Such Laws. By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. Cornerstone Baptist Church Arlington, TX Whereas, the God of the Bible who is “the same, yesterday, today and forever more” is omnipotent and omniscient, therefore, keenly aware and concerned about the affairs of mankind (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, Matthew 6:24-34), Whereas, “the church of the living God, the … [Read more...] about Resolutions for the SBC Annual Meeting (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)
Just how are our seminaries stacking up these days? (by William Thornton)
Editor's Note: A separate post called "Seminary Infographics" has been posted that demonstrates some of the data that William and Bart have been discussing. When I visited seminaries back in 1978 prior to enrolling, I went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary which was touted as the largest seminary in the world. Put together bold-talking Southern Baptists and tall-tale Texans and you've got a recipe for some heavy, heavy trash talking. Largest IN THE WORLD! Largest IN HISTORY! Impressive, though I chose not to attend. How are things looking these days? Well, it depends on the … [Read more...] about Just how are our seminaries stacking up these days? (by William Thornton)
A Response to Miller’s “Amyraldian Antinomy” (by Eric Hankins)
Before I begin, let me express my gratitude to Dave Miller for his willingness to let me post here at Voices. He has been generous with space while allowing me to offer perspectives at variance with his own. This is the true spirit of constructive debate. This post is my response to his response to my response to Nathan Finn’s response to the “Traditional Statement” (TS) on Southern Baptist (SB) soteriology, which is our response to New Calvinism in the SBC, which is the Calvinist response to non-Calvinism in the SBC. I imagine that this sort of back-and-forth is off-putting to some who see it … [Read more...] about A Response to Miller’s “Amyraldian Antinomy” (by Eric Hankins)
How Southern Baptists are Destroying Their Distinctives – Sort Of (by Nick Graves)
I received this submission anonymously a couple of days ago. I thought it was worthy of posting, but am reluctant to post anonymously, unless there is a good reason. So I emailed the anonymous "Baptist Person" who submitted it. Lo and behold, he identified himself a Nicholas Graves. He was posting anonymously because his mother and my sister are the same person. Be nice to Nick. With his family background, he deserves sympathy. As a layman who has interest in my favorite denomination, I have some observations about Southern Baptist distinctives and ways we may be shifting away from them. … [Read more...] about How Southern Baptists are Destroying Their Distinctives – Sort Of (by Nick Graves)
Pastoral Suicide (by Ryan Perz)
Ryan is the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Orange City, IA, and blogs at "By His Grace." This year so far two pastors in Iowa have died by suicide. The job fatality rate is higher than the police department my dad works for, which is located in a high crime area in Pittsburgh. My heart is heavy when I hear that a shepherd is slain by falling on his own sword. I’m not writing to analyze what goes on in the heart of a man who chooses this end. Nor am I going to offer a list of suggestions on how to prevent pastoral suicide. There are others more qualified to do that. But I do … [Read more...] about Pastoral Suicide (by Ryan Perz)
A Response to Dr. Nathan Finn, Part 4: The New Calvinists (by Dr. Eric Hankins)
Dr. Eric Hankins is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Oxford, Mississippi. He is the author of the much-discussed Traditionalist Statement and was central to the Calvinism Task Force appointed by Dr. Page, which reported at the Houston Annual Meeting. This is part 4 in the series. Read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. In this final post, I offer a response to the second question Nathan Finn puts to Traditionalists in his recent essay in the Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry. Finn asks, “Who are the New Calvinists, and what have they done?” (68). Finn understands the preamble to … [Read more...] about A Response to Dr. Nathan Finn, Part 4: The New Calvinists (by Dr. Eric Hankins)
What Would It Take for You to Go to Israel? (by Thomas L. Law III)
Tom Law was the Interim Executive Director for the Baptist Convention of Iowa. If you have never been what would it take for you to go? If you have been what would it take for you to go back? What do you wish that you had known before you went? Finally, what would it take for you to organize a group to go with you? I am putting together a group to go to Israel in October 2014 of Iowa pastors and their wives. As I have researched this and seen what others have done I have come to the conclusion that this is something I should have done years ago. I am trying to understand why I … [Read more...] about What Would It Take for You to Go to Israel? (by Thomas L. Law III)
NEVER WASTE A CRISIS: Did Donald Sterling’s Adultery Expose His Racism? (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)
“NEVER WASTE A CRISIS” Did Donald Sterling's Adultery Expose His Racism? By Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr. Donald Sterling's racism is well documented and has been appropriately redressed by Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner. But his adultery has gone largely unaddressed. No one of stature has related the impact of his adultery to this crisis. Wasn't Sterling's adultery the precursor to him receiving the death penalty, as a result of his racist rant? Wasn't it a recorded conversation with a female friend—that his wife was suing for having interfered with her marriage—the conversation that … [Read more...] about NEVER WASTE A CRISIS: Did Donald Sterling’s Adultery Expose His Racism? (by Wm. Dwight McKissic, Sr)