There has been a seismic shift of opinion in the SBC regarding gender issues. In my childhood, the vast majority of Southern Baptists believed that the husband was designed by God to be the head of his home, and that the roles of pastor and deacon (you had a hard time in the 60’s finding a Baptist church with elders) were strictly reserved for men. Now, times have changed. Many Southern Baptists who affirm inerrancy also believe that the traditional teachings on gender roles are contrary to the scriptural teaching and are unhappy with the changes that were made in the 2000 Baptist Faith … [Read more...] about Men, Women, Marriage and Ministry: What Does the Bible Say?
SBC Issues
If I Was a Twitterer, These Would Be Tweets
You should probably have healthcare professionals standing by when you check your 2011 rates for Guidestone Health Insurance. In blogging, sometimes its best to just have your say and walk away. Yesterday, I had the worst headache I've had in months. What a blessing! I could watch last night's Yankee game under heavy narcotics. I get frustrated with the SBC, but I also know there's no place else I'd rather be. Why is it that, in life, the most important things are also the easiest to procrastinate? I have a "stewardship committee" meeting tonight. I'd rather have an … [Read more...] about If I Was a Twitterer, These Would Be Tweets
Who Can Worship at Your Church?
Containing minor revisions, this post was originally published at FromLaw2Grace Who can worship at your church? Sounds like a silly question, doesn't it? The church should be a place where anyone can come and feel at home. Churches should be open to all, for indeed we are all sinners in need of God's grace! But, we all know churches where certain individuals or groups would not be welcome. Can anyone say Westboro "Baptist Church?" What about your church? Is anyone and everyone truly welcome to attend your church's public worship services, be it on Saturday night, Sunday morning, … [Read more...] about Who Can Worship at Your Church?
Responding to Peter Lumpkins re Alcohol and SEBTS
(NOTE: Danny Akin has graciously responded to this post. His comment is #113.) (Editor's Note: I have closed comments on his topic. We've all said our piece. There is no value to mud-slinging and I doubt much productive will come from continuing this discussion. If we have done nothing else, we have established that contrary to what was insinuated, there is no significant drinking problem at SEBTS. ) I just posted on why I love blogging, and soon after posting, I was directed by a friend to Peter Lumpkins' latest post, "Here Come Those Boozin' [young, cool, and hip] Baptists: A … [Read more...] about Responding to Peter Lumpkins re Alcohol and SEBTS
Why I Love Blogging
It is fashionable to disrespect blogging. State conventions have passed resolutions focused on the evils of our pursuit. The new NAMB president showed utter disdain for those of us who write online, saying that we all wear housecoats and live with our mothers. Several prominent bloggers have for various reasons either left blogging behind or cut back dramatically. I have no doubts that blogging sometimes takes more of my time than I should probably give it. And there are certainly times when blogs get out of hand. Wild and unsubstantiated rumors sometimes fly, and people can dig their … [Read more...] about Why I Love Blogging
Christians and Sex: This is No Time for Silence
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12:2 I always wanted to sing, but never had any confidence in my voice, nor did I ever learn to read music. Still, that didn't discourage me from joining the First Baptist Church youth choir. The summer trips were great; the youth musicals inspiring, the snack suppers worth the effort. The choir sounded great too, but I can take no credit for that. I did not want to be heard, … [Read more...] about Christians and Sex: This is No Time for Silence
Whither Discernment?: A TV Show that Gives Me Little “Glee”
Many of you will think this post is strange, but I am the paterfamilias of a show choir family. Family History My first two sons sang in the youth musicals at church, but never caught the show choir bug. It all started in my third son's freshman year. I had coached him in both basketball and soccer in middle school and he was headed to high school with his father's high hopes for a good athletic career. His world, and mine, changed when a friend invited him to show choir tryouts. Show Choirs always need guys so Ben went and auditioned. They made him dance captain that day (thats … [Read more...] about Whither Discernment?: A TV Show that Gives Me Little “Glee”
A Moderate’s Playground: My View of the Conservative Resurgence
Recently I opened a blogpost for the discussion of sports. It has been a great diversion – I love sports, probably too much. But that post has served two purposes. It gave us a chance to talk about sports while also keeping the sports trash-talk (something I consider a moral imperative) off the other posts. If you want to post about the Hawkeyes, the Yankees, or any of the lesser teams out there, you have a place to go. There is a small group of bloggers who seem to come by Voices for no purpose other than to talk about the Conservative Resurgence that restored the SBC to its … [Read more...] about A Moderate’s Playground: My View of the Conservative Resurgence
The SBC & CP: What Language Do You Speak?
On Wednesday, Dave linked to a blog post by Micah Fries entitled, “The Tie that Binds?” Micah wrote his post in response to a Baptist Press article reporting on the Louisiana Baptist Convention’s recent passage of a resolution in support of the Cooperative Program and in support of Executive Director David Hankins’ open letter to the trustees of NAMB regarding the nomination of Kevin Ezell to lead that missions agency. Micah confessed that he was “startled” when he read the article. The following quote by Dr. David Crosby, Pastor of FBC New Orleans, particularly jumped out at him: The CP is … [Read more...] about The SBC & CP: What Language Do You Speak?
IMHO: Blog-posts Worth Reading 10/6/2010
I have read two posts this morning that I think are well worth your time to read. I will link to them and encourage you to go there. Alan Cross First, Alan Cross, who has been one of my favorite bloggers for some time, has a powerful article called "The Failings of Christendom." He says, "Christendom is the establishment of Christianity (or a version of it) as the state or accepted religion in the larger culture. It is the syncretism of Biblical Christianity with the goals and purposes of the prevailing world system, creating a mixed civil religion that looks Christian in its forms, … [Read more...] about IMHO: Blog-posts Worth Reading 10/6/2010