Tony Jones is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. I was watching the State of the Union address tonight. I have not watched one of these speeches in many years, but I am a history buff and State of the Union Speeches, especially final speeches, give presidents an opportunity to be and sound historic. I have no idea how history will judge the President's speech from last night, but I began thinking about what will appear in the social media news feeds of most politically motivated Southern Baptists. Sadly, I'm not expecting many positive thoughts. The following is my list of … [Read more...] about What I Wish Southern Baptists Were Known For (by Tony Jones)
Social Issues
About Those Red Cups (or: A Lottie Moon Giving Challenge)
We’ve all probably seen the Facebook links, read the news, and rolled our eyes. Some guy somewhere with a YouTube account is claiming Starbucks’ plain red and green Christmas cups are a war against the Christian faith. Yawn, and bah-humbug to him. When Jesus prayed, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14), he wasn’t talking Starbucks cups or cheery Happy Holidays! from retail employees. And that isn’t what this post is about anyway. Our brothers and sisters in other countries, especially … [Read more...] about About Those Red Cups (or: A Lottie Moon Giving Challenge)
Ask not how this benefits you…
James minced no words. In the second chapter of his short letter he cut straight to the heart of the way we treat others. The temptation is to look at potential relationships in terms of benefit as opposed to personhood. Rather than considering the heart as God considers (1 Samuel 16:7) we look at the exterior. In James’ example between rich and poor, the temptation is to incline ourselves towards the rich because on the surface they seem to have more to offer. So James gave the order: stop showing partiality. If a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a … [Read more...] about Ask not how this benefits you…
Gay marriage may not be all bad news
In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling establishing gay marriage as a Constitutional right, many of us evangelicals are experiencing a wash of emotions. My initial response was one of fear. Fear that this will someday result in me being fired from my secular job like that fire chief in Atlanta. By my calculations I still have nearly 40 years to go before I can retire, and the possibility that someday it will be determined that people who think like me shouldn’t work with the public is scary. This fear, warranted or not, is sinful and betrays a lack of confidence in God and in the people of … [Read more...] about Gay marriage may not be all bad news
Obey King Jesus, Honor Everyone (a pastor’s thoughts on the same-sex marriage ruling)
This morning news broke that is not surprising when given the direction our culture in the United States combined with previous Supreme Court rulings: same-sex marriage is now a right that must be legally recognized in every state. Here are some opening truths for us to remember: Jesus is still King, God is not surprised or caught off guard, Jesus will continue to build his church until his return, and he has tasked his church to be a continuing witness of his love and grace. With these in mind, here are a few of my thoughts: First, this does not change how the church should view … [Read more...] about Obey King Jesus, Honor Everyone (a pastor’s thoughts on the same-sex marriage ruling)
The end of the race issue — don’t stop now!
Will we ever be finished with the race issue? Will we ever make enough progress that we can rest, proclaim the job is done, or know that we have somehow moved past the need for racial reconciliation and the pursuit of unity across racial/ethnic lines? In our own spiritual journey toward the heart of God on the issue of race, can we come to the place that are just fine where we are, that the race issue is behind us, and that no work remains? I contend that until the Lord returns, there will always be further work to do. Yes, we are making progress. But racial reconciliation and unity is not … [Read more...] about The end of the race issue — don’t stop now!
When scripture makes us uneasy…
“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. When you buy a Hebrew slave…” ~ Exodus 21:1-2 When we read though the Bible, inevitably there are certain scriptures that will make us feel uneasy and wonder, “Did God actually say that?” and make us wonder if the ‘God of the Old Testament’ is somehow different than the magnified love of God in Christ we see in the ‘God of the New Testament.’ In Exodus 21 and other places, there are a lot of laws that have to do with the handling of slaves. Exodus 21:21 even refers to a slave as property or money. How does this square with what we … [Read more...] about When scripture makes us uneasy…
The Politically Incorrect Truth ISIS Teaches Us About Islam
In a recent contribution in The Atlantic, Graeme Wood published a piece entitled, “What ISIS Really Wants.” It’s an enriching read, offering a crystalline examination of ISIS. Personally, it wasn’t until I read this particular piece that I truly understood the difference between ISIS and other Islamic terroristic organizations, like Al-Qaeda or Hamas. Before today I lumped such groups into the same radicalistic category, but Wood helped me see that this is like comparing poisonous apples to explosive-laced oranges. Both are dangerous, but one is objectively more terrible. (It’s the … [Read more...] about The Politically Incorrect Truth ISIS Teaches Us About Islam
Christmas Peace (a meditation on 1 John 4:14)
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:14 It doesn’t matter if you read the gospel, the first letter, or Revelation, in all of the apostle John’s writings you will find a global focus with the message of Christ. This is unquestionably one of the themes throughout all of Scripture, as well: God is Lord and King over all the earth and God is the Savior of the nations. God’s global focus began all the way back in Genesis 1 when he told humanity’s parents to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Even well after the fall, … [Read more...] about Christmas Peace (a meditation on 1 John 4:14)
WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH THE PHRASE, “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”?
It happens every year. Before the leaves can change from green to orange–and before those leaves descend to the ground–businesses start promoting their Christmas ads. Or as many businesses call them, their “holiday” ads. And this undoubtedly Hulk-rages every Christian on the planet into a wreath-colored green. “How dare they remove ‘Christ’ from ‘Christmas!'” we cry. Just like the Hulk, we promise these business that they won’t like us when we’re angry. Take a chill pill with me, proverbial Bruce Banners. What’s so wrong with the word “holiday”? Is the word so bad that it warrants … [Read more...] about WHAT’S SO WRONG WITH THE PHRASE, “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”?