SBC Issues

Are Calvinists being told by some bloggers that they will only be accepted in the SBC if they agree to live as second-class citizens?  Bill MacKinnon, one of our regular commenters here at SBC Voices makes that point in the post he sent me a while back.  He admits to being a little sarcastic in some of what he says, but he raises some really good questions. The SBC simply must come to peace with the Calvinism issue.   Calvinists are not going away, and neither are those who do not agree with Calvinism.  There are certainly Calvinists who have been overly aggressive in advancing their … [Read more...] about “Acceptable Calvinism” and the SBC (by Bill MacKinnon)

I think it's time to be direct in my theology. So, here it is: I'm a five-pointer. I think the Lord Jesus Christ is a five-pointer as well. Don't believe me? It all depends on your five points. I know we tend to use that term to identify the Dort formulation of Calvinism, but let's grab a different five: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV 1900) Here are five points we should all agree on: 1. … [Read more...] about I’m a Five-pointer!

I'm not a twitter devotee or anything, but I thought this was interesting and moving.  Igniter media puts out some great videos.   … [Read more...] about Follow

Ricky Kirk blogs at Panta ta Ethne, and is a pastor is South Point, Ohio. I recently linked an article from the Resurgence on my facebook page on how the resurrection of Jesus Christ has become associated with bunnies and eggs. There were a couple of comments, but I chose not to address them on facebook (it is difficult to fully speak to an issue in a brief comment thread). Today I read another great article from the Resurgence responding to an article from the Washington Post's On Faith page by guest writer Erik Reece. His post, titled 'Save Jesus, Ignore Easter', explores his view of … [Read more...] about What Should We Do With Easter? (by Ricky Kirk)

On a hill far away stood an old Rugged Cross, The emblem of suffering and shame. But I love that old cross, where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it someday for a crown. I was sitting in the hospital waiting room with my brother and sister, and they were discussing what kind of music they like.  They asked me about my tastes and I really didn’t know what to say.  Frankly, I don’t listen to that much music.  I like oldies for … [Read more...] about “The Old Rugged Cross” – A Good Friday Message

Every church I’ve been a part of has them—even if it’s just a side comment now and then about being afraid to stand before God at the judgment—Christians who fear that when Jesus returns we will have to hear our long list of sins recounted by an angry Father before Jesus as our gracious lawyer interjects, “I’ve taken care of them.” It’s that fear of revisiting the past and having the secret things of our heart exposed for all creation to hear. Yet the biblical idea of the judgment seat for the Christian is anything but frightful.  Colossians 2:13-15 reads: And you, who were dead in your … [Read more...] about This He Set Aside (a Good Friday meditation on Colossians 2:13-15)

As I was coming of age in a Southern Baptist church in the late 70?s/early 80?s, the question that one of our own students recently asked our Student Pastor, “Why is Monday on a Thursday?” never really came up.  I think I would have been confused as well.  Turns out, our church is not observing Monday on a Thursday, but rather observing what is known as Maundy Thursday. Like our students (and many of our adults prior to my arrival as Senior Pastor four years ago), I had never heard of Maundy Thursday until I came to First Baptist Church of Poinciana, FL as Associate Pastor following … [Read more...] about “Why is Monday on a Thursday?”

Today (Tuesday), my association had a pastor’s lunch.  Several of us gathered together in the private room of a restaurant and enjoyed plates that filled our bellies.  It was easy to complain in part, though, for the restaurant is not accustomed to hosting groups at that hour on Tuesday, therefore the service was slow.  Half of the table finished eating before the other half even sniffed their own food. And sitting among us was this guest from Brownsville, TX (we met in Butler, MO).  A man who pastors a church there and has also planted three churches across the river in a now drug-war-torn … [Read more...] about Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised…