In John 1:46, Nathaniel asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” I want to ask a similar question: “Can anything clear come out of confusion?” One of the consistent arguments for the Law Amendment has been that, if approved, it will bring much-needed clarity to the SBC. Here’s how sbcamendment.org puts it: This is why the amendment is so important. Amending the constitution—which carries a greater binding authority than the Baptist Faith & Message (2000)—would clearly define who is and is not part of the SBC. Such an amendment could add stability to our convention for decades, … [Read more...] about Can Anything Clear Come Out of Confusion? The Self-Contradiction, Omission, and Myopia of the Law Amendment (Brian Dembowczyk)
Baptist Faith & Message
Reasons Complementarian Believers Can Support Women Teaching in Certain Mixed-Gender Church Contexts
There are plenty of reasons to not be on Twitter these days. But here's something you may have missed this weekend that is worth your time. Andrew Hébert posted an excellent essay arguing for supporting women teaching in some mixed-gender settings in the church. Two reasons I thought this was worth highlighting as a post for our readers: First, this is a pressing question for the SBC right now as a vocal group seems intent on limiting women's leadership roles severely. Second, my interest is in commending women to use their gifts freely and without fear within a biblical framework, which I … [Read more...] about Reasons Complementarian Believers Can Support Women Teaching in Certain Mixed-Gender Church Contexts
Who Are We? A Question of SBC Identity. Can We Please Get This Right?
The old question is often asked, “Are we Baptist because of what we believe or because of what we do?” Some might respond with a simple, “Yes!” to that question and such a response is certainly appropriate. But I’d like to posit a more nuanced answer to that question. I am a Baptist because of what we believe. I am a SOUTHERN Baptist because of what we do. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is made up of voluntarily cooperating Baptist churches who pool their resources for the propagation of the gospel. Yes, there are beliefs involved. Baptistic beliefs, to be sure, which have … [Read more...] about Who Are We? A Question of SBC Identity. Can We Please Get This Right?
A Helpful EC Meeting “Explainer” for the events of Feb 20-21, 2023
What follows has been assembled by some folks “in the know,” regarding the events that took place at the EC meeting dated February 20-21, 2023. The attempt here is to share pertinent facts related to procedural issues, primarily. There is a bit of commentary in this explainer but for the most part, the material here is simply presented to posit factual and procedural elements to help answer a number of questions which have been offered in the intervening time. I was at the meeting in Nashville, and I find this material particularly helpful and wanted to share it with you. This article is … [Read more...] about A Helpful EC Meeting “Explainer” for the events of Feb 20-21, 2023
The Future of Southern Baptists Hangs by a Thread (by Malcolm Yarnell)
I first noticed William Lane Craig refashion divine eternity and then adopt a heterodox Christology. Now Craig argues Genesis 1-11 is “mytho-history, not to be taken literally,” denies Genesis 3 records the first sin, and says cherubim are “fantasy.” He admits the genealogies give the early text an historical aura, but dismisses them as “artificial symmetry.” While there are certain denominations which allow for non-literal interpretations of Genesis 1-11, the Southern Baptist Convention has historically taken a strong stand against treating the Bible as “myth,” especially in the sense of … [Read more...] about The Future of Southern Baptists Hangs by a Thread (by Malcolm Yarnell)
An Infant of The Conservative Resurgence (by Jonathan Raffini)
I turned 40 this past year in the midst of a global pandemic, which we all know was a real challenge, but it also meant I survived a 40th birthday hoopla due to COVID. Turning 40 in 2020 also means I was an infant during the needed Conservative Resurgence of the 1980’s. My uncle was a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in the early 1980’s, going so far as to start a small group with friends his final year called “Seminarians for Biblical Inerrancy. When talking to my uncle as I prayed and pondered where God was leading me to attend seminary, he told me to be thankful that … [Read more...] about An Infant of The Conservative Resurgence (by Jonathan Raffini)
Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
I’ve had the opportunity to attend 11 SBC Annual Meetings. This year was different than all the rest. It was the largest in 25 years with over 15,700 messengers. This was an historic meeting and I’m glad I was in the room. If you weren’t there and you followed along in the media, online, or on social media, it’s easy to find varying opinions and feel confused as to what transpired. At times it’s hard to tell what happened when you have to wade through the bias and perspective of the author. That being said, here is my perspective on what happened this week. 1. On Monday evening we … [Read more...] about Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
I grew up in a liberal family in Southern California. I belonged to the Bahá’í faith and was raised by two hippies. My grandfather was the first civil rights writer for the L.A. Times and was offered the position of press secretary for Bobby Kennedy. My mom participated in Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi when she was 18 to help with voting rights for all people. So when you look up “bleeding heart liberals” in the dictionary you will see a picture of my extended family. (Probably eating tofu and picketing segregated housing.) I still cherish my dad’s favorite button which said; “Reggae … [Read more...] about When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
Why I Will Leave the SBC if they Rescind Resolution 9, Affirming Limited Beneficial Aspects of Critical Race Theory
When one reflects on the history and current reality of systemic injustice in America, there are some tenets that have been handed down to us that are beneficial in discussing and assessing structural racism in America. Structural racism in America today is not as potent and prevalent, or as visible and vicious as it was in previous generations, but it still exists. Therefore, it must be prophetically, educationally, and legally addressed and readdressed. We see it present in real estate appraisal differences based on color, prison sentencing differences based on color, job hiring … [Read more...] about Why I Will Leave the SBC if they Rescind Resolution 9, Affirming Limited Beneficial Aspects of Critical Race Theory
A Statement, Not A Creed
The 1963 SBC Annual meeting in Kansas City was highly anticipated. At the previous year’s meeting the SBC Executive Committee recommended that a committee be appointed to examine the Baptist Faith and Message. The committee was to be led by the current SBC President Dr. Herschel Hobbs, and made up of state convention presidents, among others. The motion from the EC instructed the committee to “...present to the Convention in Kansas City some similar statement which shall serve as information to the churches, and which may serve as a guideline to the various agencies of the Southern … [Read more...] about A Statement, Not A Creed