Today we have a guest post by William Birch, which was originally posted on his site. This article is a response to Gerald Harris's recent article "The Calvinists are Here." If you comment, please comment in a similar manner as Birch's article. After all, in Birch's words, "We are on the same team, people!" Every now and again I am accused of misrepresenting Calvinism by a Calvinist brother. It often happens when I focus upon what I perceive to be certain implications of Calvinism rather than what Calvinists actually claim or believe. When I do so, the Calvinist is right to correct me; I … [Read more...] about The Calvinists Have Been Here . . . by William Birch
When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t So Friendly (by Joel Rainey)
This was originally publish at Joel Rainey's blog "Themelios." I appreciate his willingness to share it with us. About 13 years ago, Pastor Trey Rhodes was sitting in a meeting of other pastors who were considering the sponsorship of a new church. The local Baptist Association had called this meeting to discuss "concerns" that several of the pastors had relative to this new church proposal. Church planting wasn't nearly as "cool" back then as it is now, and in fact was held in high suspicion in several segments of my denomination. In particular, these guys were concerned about the theology, … [Read more...] about When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t So Friendly (by Joel Rainey)
“Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” by William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. A KINGDOM RESPONSE TO THE ELEPHANT ROOM II Featuring Pastor James MacDonald and Bishop T.D. Jakes The late Rev. Vernon Johns made a lighthearted, yet loaded comment regarding engaging in ecclesiastical and civic controversy that I believe is applicable to The Elephant Room II controversy. The Johns comment: “If you see a good fight, get in it.” There are significant, substantive, and scriptural issues yet being debated in the aftermath of The Elephant Room that I feel compelled to address in light of Rev. Johns’ admonition … [Read more...] about “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” by William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
B.H. Carroll on Hyper-Calvinism (by David Brumbelow)
In 1900 B. H. Carroll preached a sermon on Baptists 100 Years Ago. It was a historical message telling of Baptist leaders and work in the era around 1800. Carroll (AD 1843-1914), was founder and first president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Following are a couple of his comments about some Calvinists of those days who went to the extreme. “It was a time of strong doctrine, and many Baptists were hyper-Calvinists in their view. But Leland himself tells us how, one day while preaching, ‘his soul got into the gospel trade-winds,’ which so filled his spiritual sails that he forgot … [Read more...] about B.H. Carroll on Hyper-Calvinism (by David Brumbelow)
Why not have a RE-baptism service? (by William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder always has good ideas. Is every idea he has a good one, though? Well, check out this one and then you make the call! OK, OK. Baptisms are down, back to the level of the 1950s. We're all chagrined, embarassed, and upset about it. How about we stop the hand wringing and finger pointing and do something about it. The photo is an actual church sign near me. That's it. Have a rebaptism service. Think of the possibilities. You would have a new target audience, everyone in your church who has already been baptized. We are already experienced at doing rebaptisms and … [Read more...] about Why not have a RE-baptism service? (by William Thornton)
Why We Don’t Use Alcohol For the Lord’s Supper at our Church by David R. Brumbelow
Some today are leading churches to begin using alcoholic wine instead of unfermented wine or grape juice in observance of the Lord’s Supper. I’ve personally heard of several such instances in recent days. It is often presented as more biblical to use alcoholic wine in the Lord’s Supper. A careful study of ancient wine and the Bible, however, along with medical evidence and common sense, may show Baptists have actually been more biblical than some assert. Following are a few reasons why the big majority of Baptists do not use alcoholic wine in the ordinance (not sacrament) of the Lord’s … [Read more...] about Why We Don’t Use Alcohol For the Lord’s Supper at our Church by David R. Brumbelow
FAMOUS LAST WORDS: I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. I CAN HANDLE IT (CB Scott)
Editor: CB shared this with me, and I meant to put it up on New Year's weekend - I was in deep mourning because evil prevailed so constantly in football, both college and pro over the weekend and my brain was not functioning correctly. I forgot. The video is pretty graphic. Beverage alcohol is a drug. The use of beverage alcohol has brought much sorrow to many people. The video below was sent to those of us in Alabama who support ALCAP (Alabama Citizens Action Program). I ask you to watch it. Give it some thought. … [Read more...] about FAMOUS LAST WORDS: I KNOW WHEN TO QUIT. I CAN HANDLE IT (CB Scott)
Younger Pastors and the Hope of a Future in the SBC
Dr. Albert Mohler shares why Southern Baptists should be thankful for the rising generation of younger pastors. Here is an excerpt: Tonight I spent a really encouraging few hours with a group of younger pastors — men who are being greatly used of God to reach their own generation and far beyond. That experience made me really thankful, and also led me to think about why Southern Baptists should be especially thankful for the rising generation of young pastors. 1. They are deeply committed to the Gospel and to the authority of Scripture. 2. They love the church. 3. They are gifted … [Read more...] about Younger Pastors and the Hope of a Future in the SBC
Jesus and Tim Tebow, Part 3
Our guest blogger today is again Wade Phillips, who blogs at “A Good Infection“. He’s a TV news anchor in MS and a husband/father/deacon/SS Teacher combo! Thank you for sharing this series with us. This is the third part in a series on life and faith, that was triggered by a segment I recently did on Tim Tebow at WMOX radio. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. I am Tim Tebow. And you are Tim Tebow. We are all Tim Tebow. No, most of us will never set foot on an NFL football field for any reason; much less lead a game winning drive, (or a bunch of them, for that matter.) But there … [Read more...] about Jesus and Tim Tebow, Part 3
Jesus and Tim Tebow, Part 2
Our guest blogger today is again Wade Phillips, who blogs at “A Good Infection“. He’s a TV news anchor in MS and a husband/father/deacon/SS Teacher combo! This is the second part of a series on life and faith, that was triggered by a recent segment I did on WMOX Radio about Tim Tebow. See part 1 here. One of the questions that inevitably comes up in any discussion of public faith is this: why do people get offended when someone puts their faith on display? Why should it bother others that someone is unashamed about their faith? Why should others want him to shut up? Why do they … [Read more...] about Jesus and Tim Tebow, Part 2