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I Baptize Children: Does That Make Me Paedobaptist?

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This was originally published at sbcIMPACT a couple of years ago.  We had a lively discussion then.  William Thornton's article this morning got me thinking about it.  I've revised it a little.  For the record, the baptisms referenced in the first paragraph were a couple of years ago, not yesterday. Last Sunday I baptized five children in our early worship service. In the next couple of weeks, there are 4 or 5 more that are waiting in the wings to publicly picture the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Many are the fruit of an evangelistic family which adopts children and brings them … [Read more...] about I Baptize Children: Does That Make Me Paedobaptist?

Why not have a RE-baptism service? (by William Thornton)

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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)

Proof of the Superiority of Dispensationalism: We’ve Got the Best Charts!

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All you posties and amils and postmils and preterists and assorted eschatological wannabees are simply jealous because you cannot come up with the kind of quality charts that dispensationalists have provided over the years. Here's one:   This is about the best non-dispy chart I've seen.   I will not name the author of the non-dispy chart, because I don't want to embarrass Mike Bergmann.  But until you guys can come up with some riveting fiction and a decent chart or two, your positions will never have any credibility. … [Read more...] about Proof of the Superiority of Dispensationalism: We’ve Got the Best Charts!

Ed and Lisa Young’s “Bed-In” – Scratching Itching Ears?

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I'm a little nauseated right now. I just watched a few minutes of Ed and Lisa Young's "Bed-in" - a toxic mix of sex-talk, pop psychology and lightweight theological justification.  Maybe I'm just old, like my contemporary praise team says.  But I cannot believe that this is what Jesus was talking about when he said, "On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not stand against it." Let me state some things very clearly. 1)  I think the no-no-no, bad-bad-bad, dirty-dirty-dirty message about sex that marked much of the church's instruction about sex in my youth (back … [Read more...] about Ed and Lisa Young’s “Bed-In” – Scratching Itching Ears?

Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry: What Does the Bible Say?

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NOTE: I have just released a book which compiles (and edits and expands) these posts. It is called "Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry."   It is available on Amazon.com. The Kindle version will be released in the next couple of days - not sure what the hold-up is there. This book reviews the biblical evidence on divorce and remarriage, beginning with the cornerstone in the Old Testament - the twin principles of God's intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman and the understanding of the brokenness caused by sin. It then lays the … [Read more...] about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry: What Does the Bible Say?

Review of Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll

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If you have yet to hear of Mark Driscoll’s latest book Real Marriage you are a little late to the party.  There are countless reviews already (see here, and for some of the earlier ones see here).  Honestly if I was not contractually obligated (ala got the book for free in exchange for a review) and if I did not feel a pastoral obligation to read and review it, I would probably keep my mouth shut. Summary The book is divided into three sections (really two).  One section on marriage that covers the first five chapters.  This section chronicles some of the Driscoll’s story and also has a … [Read more...] about Review of Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll

Alcohol and IMB Workers

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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

The Empty Power of Ridicule

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There are a few of the issues that have faced Baptist bloggers through the years on which I have strong opinions, have staked out that opinion and have defended it forcefully. On many of the issues I don't have a strong opinion and have concerned myself more with the tone and tenor of the debate than the debate itself.  I've never touched a drop of "beverage alcohol" in my life, but neither have I been convinced by prohibitionist arguments that the Bible prohibits moderate use of alcohol.  I believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation but I am not convinced by much of the Calvinist or … [Read more...] about The Empty Power of Ridicule