So many churches seem to strive for some sort of identity—something they can hang their hats on and say “this is who we are and this is what we offer.” We use different monikers: seeker-sensitive, reformed, traditional, contemporary, family-based… we use different models of “doing church”… and we employ all sorts of purpose statements, some which are short and pithy while others require some sort of advanced degree in biblical linguistics to even begin to know what they say. Yet Jesus wrapped up the whole purpose and identity of the church in a simple statement: “All authority in heaven … [Read more...] about The Simple Beauty and Complex Challenges of Discipleship
God is Big Enough (but do we live as if it is so?)
On Sunday Mornings, we are presently doing a 21-week jaunt through Acts. This past Sunday I preached on Acts 9:32-11:30. My focus was for us to wrap our minds around the “bigness” of God. Three of my four points were: God is big enough to deliver us from our infirmities, to rescue us from death, and to save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. My other point out of this two and a half chapter passage came from one tiny little verse that you can easily skip over if you’re reading fast—9:35, “And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” God is … [Read more...] about God is Big Enough (but do we live as if it is so?)
Why We Practice “Open” Communion
I appreciate the Baptist Faith and Message as a general and systematic declaration of our faith, and I agree with the majority of what it states—that’s part of the reason why I am, have been, and plan to continue to be Southern Baptist. There is one aspect, however, that I and the church I pastor differ with—their statement on baptism in relationship to the Lord’s Supper. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the … [Read more...] about Why We Practice “Open” Communion
The Age (or State) of Accountability and Original Sin, One Baptist’s Perspective
At the sbctoday blog, Dr. Steve Lemke of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is currently writing a series of posts entitled “Distinctive Baptist Beliefs.” While pointing out the many bridges between Baptists and Presbyterian traditions, he is seeking to also provide a series of distinctives that separate Baptists from our Presbyterian brethren. The second distinctive concerns the age/state of accountability—a theological idea more readily recognized in the question, “What happens to babies when they die?” Many in both traditions posit that infants (and people, such as those who … [Read more...] about The Age (or State) of Accountability and Original Sin, One Baptist’s Perspective
Does the Bible Provide a Clear Structure for Church Governance?—2
Part Two: Church Authority and Conclusion Last time… In the last post, we began to consider whether or not the Bible provides a clear structure for the church. Specifically we examined what the Bible says about the leadership offices: Elders (or overseers or pastors), and Deacons. This time, we’ll look at the issue of church authority. From the last post, I already posited one thing about authority: the deacons are not an authoritative office, except so far as they’re given specific and limited oversight of certain tasks as delegated by the elders. This leaves us with the question: … [Read more...] about Does the Bible Provide a Clear Structure for Church Governance?—2
Does the Bible Provide a Clear Structure for Church Governance?—1
Part One: Introduction and Church Leadership Introduction Dave Miller wrote a piece about elders in the life of the church, and why he doesn’t consider it to be a big issue one way or the other. Within the thread comments the idea was teased out that the Bible does not mandate a particular structure for church government. Instead of structure, the focus is upon the character of the leaders and then needs and other influences helped develop unique structures from church to church (city to city). I wholeheartedly agree that character is more important than structure. It doesn’t … [Read more...] about Does the Bible Provide a Clear Structure for Church Governance?—1
The Christian and the Law: A Brief Consideration of Galatians
One of the constant debates Christians seem to have concerns our relationship to the Law. Some take the words of Jesus in Matthew 5 as an indication that we must still live under the Law, that is unless the New Testament clearly does away with some aspect of it (like the sacrificial system). And indeed Jesus did say, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the prophets; I have…come to fulfill them.” But more than that, Jesus says, “I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” He then tells us we will never … [Read more...] about The Christian and the Law: A Brief Consideration of Galatians
Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…--Ephesians 4:11-12 Most of us are likely familiar with the term “evangelist.” Certainly we have heard about Billy Graham and his crusades, and if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church you likely experienced more than one “revival” in which an “evangelist” came and spoke. Maybe it even had musical evangelists. Much of our modern conception about evangelists ties to the notion of revivalism in evangelical church life, but … [Read more...] about Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
A Meditation on Life, Death, and Being a Nameless “Other”
And I will die alone, and be left there Well I guess I'll just go home Or God knows where Because death is just so full, and man so small I'm scared of what's behind, and what's before But there will come a time you'll see With no more tears And love will not break your heart But dismiss your fears Get over your hill and see, what you find there With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair --from Mumford and Sons, “After the Storm” Now, I wouldn’t count Mumford and Sons as a beacon of good theology (perhaps as an existentialist one), but these haunting yet hopeful lyrics … [Read more...] about A Meditation on Life, Death, and Being a Nameless “Other”
What do we do about doubt?
Recently a young man in my church asked the question: is it okay for Christians to have doubt? One well meaning lady told him that Christians shouldn’t experience doubt and he just needed to be more spiritual. That answer left both he and I unsatisfied. Let’s face it—most if not all Christians, whether we want to admit it or not, experience moments where we identify very much with Thomas and you might as well dub us as “Doubting” Mike or Suzanne or Ichabod! But what do we do with our doubt? Before anything else, we must remember to not glorify doubt. In one seminary class, we were … [Read more...] about What do we do about doubt?