SBC Issues

I may be stepping into a great big pile of...well...trouble. The SBC has a lot of critics, from those who love the SBC but have a few small areas of critique to those who think the denomination is dying, even some who seem to think that would be a boon to the Kingdom! Some have been productive and measured in their criticisms. Others, in my opinion, have been overly harsh, heaping condemnation on our convention. But what I would like to do today is to give some criticism to the critics.  More to the point, I want to challenge critics of the SBC to filter their criticism through a biblical … [Read more...] about A Plea to the Critics about Criticism

This post first appeared at the RPM Ministries blog as part of their series on large churches. ________ Having been a part of both large and small churches, I have seen the tremendous potential of large and small churches working together. There can be great benefit when churches join forces and the combined effort can result in a greater impact for the cause of Christ. Not all joint efforts, however, are healthy partnerships. For a partnership between large and small churches to be successful, there must be active participation, contribution and benefit for all churches involved. Too … [Read more...] about Six Principles for Partnerships Between Large and Small Churches

Alan blogs at Downshore Drift, where this post originally appeared.  Apparently, I am part of the 33% of Americans who do not believe in Evolution, according to a recent Pew Research Religion & Public Life Project study (Al Mohler's article yesterday got me thinking about this today). And, I am completely fine with that. I am not trying to be different or unique or have my head in the sand when it comes to Science and its claims. I have actually studied and read quite a bit on this subject over the past 20 years, and although I am not a scientist by any means, I consider myself at least … [Read more...] about Why I Reject Evolution (And Am Intellectually Satisfied Doing So) (by Alan Cross)

Authors Note: I have added a section at the end of this post spelling out what I believe would be a redemptive approach to this sad situation. As Christians, as the redeemed, our duty is to be avenues of redemption and healing. Okay, I will admit that the title is a bit melodramatic, but it reflects the angst I feel over an issue I have been made aware of in a Baptist College; one that reflects values I consider to be more Pharisaic than Christian. Let me tell you the story, then you can weigh in on whether I am right or wrong in my feelings about this. It all started when a young man who … [Read more...] about When Pharisees Attack (Addendum: What SHOULD Have Happened)

Russ Robinson is the lead pastor at First Baptist Church, Provo, UT. This article first appeared at Paul Thompson's "The Bridge." It’s a cool fall morning on the campus of Brigham Young University, and I’m in a hot, high-ceilinged auditorium filled to capacity with clean-cut Mormon students and faculty. As far as I know, the only evangelicals in a room of more than 800 people are myself, the six friends that came with me, and the speaker that everyone has come to listen to: Dr. Albert Mohler. As a Southern Baptist pastor with a church that meets a mile from Brigham Young’s campus in Provo, … [Read more...] about Is Interreligious Dialogue Possible? (By Russ Robinson)

This year's SBTC Empower Evangelism Conference features at least three former heretics as a part of the official program. These are men whose previous spiritual affiliation was theologically deficient and—according to the teachings of scripture and the consensus of orthodox Christianity for two millennia—accomplished their damnation to eternal hell. The three men in question are Ed Stetzer, Russell Moore, and Fred Luter. In fact, after looking a bit closer, every name on the program represents someone who was formerly a heretic, a blasphemer, a rebel against the rightful rule of God, and … [Read more...] about Helping Heretics Come Home

Let's face it, the sexuality and sexual sin in this country is out of control.  The sexual sin in the church is rampant.  The sexual issues faced by pastors, leaders, missionaries and men in general is a problem.  Lots and lots and lots of men are addicted to pornography, including pastors.  Lots of men struggle with temptation and many are losing the fight.  We are bombarded, it's on tv, billboards, magazines, ads and signs.  You can't even walk down the street anymore without seeing more than you need to see.  Don't even try to go to the mall these days.  I was a substitute teacher for 6 … [Read more...] about Let’s Be Honest about Sexual Temptation

It is almost a truism today that it is best to wait until one is older to get married. I've heard Christian parents joke that they weren't going to let their kids (often daughters) date until they turned 25. People are marrying later and later than they ever have and many in the church approve of the trend. The assumption is that people who marry late have grown up, learned more about life, attained financial stability and personal maturity, and are therefore more ready for marriage. It is my belief that this reflects a fundamentally unbiblical mindset about marriage. God's plan is not the … [Read more...] about The Case for Marrying Young

I think I have had my fill of the conversation. I have been part of the Calvinist/ Anti-Calvinist/ Traditionalist/ Reformed argument dialogue, and I am making my public declaration that i'I've had enough. It's become a fruitless dialogue filled with anger and lacking in reason and civility. I am going to unpack for you exactly what I think the issue is, and then you agree or disagree, up to you. First off, the labels are not working. If you have followed my writings, you know I call myself a Wovenist. Yes, Wovenism incorporates much of Reformed soteriology. Being so, most non-Calvinists … [Read more...] about Overloaded on the Argument, so I’m Out.