Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). 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, and I lead a Baptist missions entity. So I'm about as Baptist as … [Read more...] about How to be Part of a Tribe Without Succumbing to Tribalism (by Joel Rainey)
Toward Theological Reconciliation: Atonement (by Ken Hamrick)
What you will find below is neither an argument for the Calvinist view nor one for the Traditionalist view of atonement. Both ends of the spectrum have been asking the wrong questions, and the best perspective transcends that old debate. By emphasizing that Christ stood in our place, the debate has perpetually turned on the question of whose place Christ stood in---all or only some? But what has been missed by such an emphasis is that Christ stands in us--- and until He stands within a sinner through the Holy Spirit's indwelling, nothing that He did is considered to have been in that sinner's … [Read more...] about Toward Theological Reconciliation: Atonement (by Ken Hamrick)
When Saints Live in Sodom (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
How Should Kingdom Citizens Relate to Gays and A New Gay-Friendly America? “My truth is that I am a gay American,” are the words that Gov. Jim McGreevey spoke as he was resigning from the governorship of New Jersey on August 13, 2004 because circumstances forced him to disclose the fact that he was a homosexual. “I am an openly, proud gay man,” are the words of Mr. Michael Sam, who was an excellent football player at the University of Missouri this past season and is expected by some to go as high as the 3rd round in the upcoming NFL Draft. Between the years of Gov. McGreevey’s … [Read more...] about When Saints Live in Sodom (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
An Open Response to Rev. Al Sharpton’s Op-Ed Supporting Michael Sam (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
AN OPEN RESPONSE TO REV. AL SHARPTON’S OP-ED SUPPORTING MICHAEL SAM BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. Fighting for morality is not an easy thing to do. Fighting for the soul of a nation, a people, and a culture that’s historically been rooted in a Judeo-Christian value system, but is rapidly moving at a record breaking speed toward secularism and humanism as its core value system, is also not easy. To stand for truth, righteousness, and the wisdom of God in an age where God’s published thoughts on a subject are rejected even by His preachers, is increasingly becoming a difficult thing to do. … [Read more...] about An Open Response to Rev. Al Sharpton’s Op-Ed Supporting Michael Sam (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
From One Preacher to Another: An Open Letter to Bill Gothard (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). Dear Bill, I write this letter feeling very strange. In light of the prescribed discipleship method of Titus 2, this younger man who could theoretically be your son feels a bit weird. Nevertheless, after having read about the accusations of sexual harassment by multiple women who have worked under your authority, I feel compelled to express what I'm feeling right now to an older man who is supposed to model what it … [Read more...] about From One Preacher to Another: An Open Letter to Bill Gothard (by Joel Rainey)
If I Were to Preach at a Pastors’ Conference (by Scott Slayton)
Scott Slayton blogs at the eponymous "Scottslayton.net." He offered me this post a while back (well, November) and being forgetful, I forgot to post it. I thought it was good. So, here it is, three months late. I've often thought of what I might say if asked to speak at a Pastor's Conference. this would make a good start. Scott is a pastor in Alabama, but we will not hold that against him. This post has been stirring in my heart for a couple of years. It’s not in response to any sermons that I have heard lately, but rather is something that has been eating at me since a sermon I heard at a … [Read more...] about If I Were to Preach at a Pastors’ Conference (by Scott Slayton)
Where Black History and Israel’s History Intersect – “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
WHERE BLACK HISTORY AND ISRAEL’S HISTORY INTERSECT: “OH MARY DON’T YOU WEEP” Celebrating the Commonality of Black American History and Israel’s History by William Dwight McKissic, Sr. The two most persecuted people-groups in the history of mankind are the Jews and Blacks. This has been a major point of identity and bonding between these two groups. Jewish Americans strongly supported the Civil Rights Movement more so than any other ethnic group. They often marched with Civil Rights Leaders to provide a shield of protection and support. The most celebrated African-American preacher … [Read more...] about Where Black History and Israel’s History Intersect – “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
God’s Vision for His Kingdom (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
GOD’S VISION FOR HIS KINGDOM Revisiting the Meaning of The Gospel of The Kingdom BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. God established the gospel in order to establish families, in order to establish His Kingdom in every nation. The purpose of the family is to pass down a godly heritage. The family is God’s evangelism plan and small group discipleship program. The Church’s job is to disciple families so that they can continue the process at home. God’s business is His Kingdom, and the Kingdom business is the family enterprise. God wants to bless the families of the earth. If families are not … [Read more...] about God’s Vision for His Kingdom (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
Lies, Murder, and Roe: 41 years of Satanic Influence (By Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). This post was originally published at his site on Thursday, January 23. 41 years ago yesterday, nine black-robed justices handed down a decision that would forever change the moral landscape of the United States. Since that time, more than 55 million human beings created in God's image and likeness have been murdered within the confines of their mother's wombs. Is that too strong a statement? Is it too negative a … [Read more...] about Lies, Murder, and Roe: 41 years of Satanic Influence (By Joel Rainey)
The Wonder of Israel and Her Relationship to Africa (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.)
THE WONDER OF ISRAEL AND HER RELATIONSHIP TO AFRICA THE AFRICAN-ISRAELI CONNECTION by William Dwight McKissic, Sr. “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.” (Psalm 72:18) “To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever;” (Psalm 136:4) “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.” (Psalm 68:31) “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering.” (Zephaniah 3:10) Israel is a wonder of God’s creation. Jerusalem is the only … [Read more...] about The Wonder of Israel and Her Relationship to Africa (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr.)