Much pontification has been digitally uploaded to this site recently regarding the question as to whether or or not it is appropriate for a woman to serve as President of the SBC. My friend Casey Hough offered his thoughts on this subject at his personal page on Thursday. I asked Casey if I could post his text in full here at Voices in order to offer another opinion on the subject. Now, I must admit that I am not completely convinced by his argument (although the vast majority of it resonates loudly with me) but his tone and congenial tenor draw me in and I completely understand and appreciate … [Read more...] about Can a woman serve as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention? (Casey Hough)
Baptist Faith & Message
Will Voting in Fred Luter, Jr. Matter?
By the team you read this, Fred Luter, Jr. may have already been elected as President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Most Southern Baptists have prayed for years that we as a convention would atone for our regrettable past in the slave debate and both privately and publicly initiate racial reconciliation on a grand scale. Our prayers have been surely answered as we await and celebrate the presidency of Luter, a descendant of slaves. I'm also proud to say that Criswell College, the school at which I work and study, recently bestowed the honorable Doctor of Divinity on him. With … [Read more...] about Will Voting in Fred Luter, Jr. Matter?
Regeneration: I Stand with the BF&M
What is regeneration (being born again)? Although the Baptist Faith & Message defines this word, a new doctrinal statement, A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation (“Statement”), has taken a very different understanding. Here’s the relevant section of the BF&M: Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus … [Read more...] about Regeneration: I Stand with the BF&M
Exclusive Claims on Traditional Southern Baptist Soteriology?
The next big thing in the Calvinism debate within the SBC has arrived. Ever since it was posted over on SBC Today, “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation” has been gathering attention in comment streams and many blogs, including this one. This Statement attempts to define a common doctrinal statement about salvation for non-Calvinists within the SBC. For all of us who’ve debated these issues at length, we should applaud this effort. All of us should be able to agree that “non-Calvinist” is not a very helpful descriptor of this group’s … [Read more...] about Exclusive Claims on Traditional Southern Baptist Soteriology?
Alcohol and IMB Workers
A consistent topic of discussion on blogs is the matter of alcohol use. Abstentionists, abolitionists, moderationalists, and free-will imbibers abound. It is safe to say that we lack a unified opinion on the matter. The freedom of the believer, the autonomy of the local church, and the belief in the equal indwelling of the Holy Spirit combine to create an environment in which we can choose to believe what we will on the subject. But what about people who represent the SBC and its agencies? It is one thing for a local church member to support moderate alcohol use. It is an entirely … [Read more...] about Alcohol and IMB Workers
Calvinist Identity Issues: What is a Calvinist?
I write this in deep fear that I'm going to get a poke in the nose from Rick Patrick. Actually, his light-hearted complaint about being labeled a Calvinist made me think about a problem with the whole debate. I left a comment on that post, but thought I would expand the concept as a separate post and ask the question I think we need to answer. What do you mean when you call someone a Calvinist? As I watch the sometimes intense discussion of Calvinism here and elsewhere, I can't help but think that one root of the problem is often the definition of the term. I mean one thing when I use … [Read more...] about Calvinist Identity Issues: What is a Calvinist?
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
Brick Walls, Picket Fences (7): Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the Christians in a city could come together and form one church? Think of it – only one church for all of Sioux City. What a blessing that would be, right? The unity that God intended for His church – an answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 – experienced here on earth. Christians joining to worship the Lord and serve him together without all that petty bickering and division – it would be glorious! Someone start humming the Doxology so we can all join in! But then, after the euphoria began to fade, a few uncomfortable realities might begin to present … [Read more...] about Brick Walls, Picket Fences (7): Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?
Brick Walls and Picket Fences (Part 1): Maintaining Sound Doctrine without Sacrificing Unity
Chapter 1: Speaking the Truth in Love I was reading one of the discernment blogs recently – the kind of blog that catalogs the heresies prevalent in the Christian world today. I scanned through the listing of articles and saw one that addressed the theological errors of a well-known charismatic pastor, Francis Frangipane. Here’s the thing. This man is a friend of mine – a man I love and have tremendous respect for. I lived in the same city with him for many years and we were in a pastors’ prayer group together. I a lot of time on my knees with Francis (figuratively, anyway – Francis … [Read more...] about Brick Walls and Picket Fences (Part 1): Maintaining Sound Doctrine without Sacrificing Unity
Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!
The latest revision of the Baptist Faith & Message is now a decade old. In celebration, I'd like to offer my humble opinion on the good and bad revisions. Note: Some were introduced at some level in the 1998 revision, though solidified in the 2000 edition. The Good Gender Roles - A much needed clarification of Scripture's clear teaching of male headship in the church and in the family. Both Articles VI and XVIII clearly state the worth and gifting of women while explicitly and unapologetically describing their roles. Exegesis - The removal of "Jesus Christ as the exegetical … [Read more...] about Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!