By now most of you will have read The Houston Chronicle's second article on sexual abuse in the SBC. I believe that the reporting by The Chronicle, taken together with the responses by various Southern Baptists on this site and in other places, offers us a painful examination of a few undeniable facts: People who want to abuse children sexually are able quite easily to gain access to our pews and our pulpits and are using that proximity to pick off innocent lambs within the flock. If it has served their self-interest to do so, other Southern Baptists have far too often, rather than … [Read more...] about An Unreported Component of the Sexual Abuse Problem
Social Issues
Letter from a Birmingham Jail on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
A few years ago I remember coming across the recommendation on social media that Christians would do well to (re-)read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham Jail each year on the holiday set aside to honor MLK. I've taken that recommendation each of the last several years, and am happy to recommend you do the same. You may well ask: "Why direct action? Why sit-ins, marches and so forth? Isn't negotiation a better path?" You are quite right in calling, for negotiation. Indeed, this is the very purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and … [Read more...] about Letter from a Birmingham Jail on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
No, Heaven Does Not Have a Wall Around It
I’ve seen it posted many times on Facebook, the meme shared that reads, sometimes in varying forms: Heaven has a wall, gates, and a strict immigration policy; hell has open borders. Think about that. It’s a simple way to try to defend a certain political view on border security. The problem is, it’s both untrue and misconstrues scripture. And as if the meme weren’t enough, a politically vocal pastor stated in a nation interview recently: “The Bible says even Heaven itself is going to have a wall around it. Not everybody is going to be allowed in.” So, let’s start with a simple fact: Nowhere … [Read more...] about No, Heaven Does Not Have a Wall Around It
Whoa, who saw that coming?
Whoa, who saw that one coming? Nick Saban’s teams do not catch a beatdown very often. The Alabama fans didn’t see it coming. They moaned and wailed every time Clemson scored, and sounded like they were on the Titanic. (People dying from hypothermia is not funny, but the sounds emanating from my television were akin to the sounds from James Cameron’s epic) Dabo Swinney didn't see it coming. Did you see his face at the post game interview? Guy looked like he just won the powerball jackpot. Dabo Swinney expressed his love for Jesus Christ and his belief in the sovereignty of God over his … [Read more...] about Whoa, who saw that coming?
Power of God – Resource for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (1/20/19)
As we prepare for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday coming up in just a few weeks, I encourage you to make sure you're incorporating that emphasis in your church's worship service. Here's one resource I wanted to make you aware of. It's a spoken word piece by a good friend, Nigel "Legin" Anderson. Legin is a Gospel rapper and record producer here in the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. This spoken word, called "Power of God," mentions various aspects of life's brokenness and a specifically strong stance on abortion, and then heavily highlights the hope of the gospel to make all things … [Read more...] about Power of God – Resource for Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (1/20/19)
NAAF President Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr. Responds to SBTS Report on Slavery & Racism
As President of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, I commend Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mohler’s commissioning the study and releasing the internal report on the history of slavery and racism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is clear leadership akin to the men of Issachar. (1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV) 32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do...) Dr. Mohler clearly understands the times and knows what to do! I am sure that Dr. Mohler … [Read more...] about NAAF President Dr. Marshal L. Ausberry, Sr. Responds to SBTS Report on Slavery & Racism
Fort Worth Star Telegram Report on Sexual Abuse
The Forth Worth Star Telegram has published a four part series detailing a culture of sexual abuse within the Independent Fundamental Baptist Network. The series was written by Sara Smith. She reported on the Paige Patterson situation earlier this year, and, from my research, has been a leading journalist in exposing abuse in religious institutions and denominations. If you have time, go read the series. It is scary. The Star Telegram interviewed over 200 people who were subjected to all kinds of abuse including rape, intimidation, and underage sex. The perpetrators, in most cases, … [Read more...] about Fort Worth Star Telegram Report on Sexual Abuse
Worse than an infidel?
In recent days, in response to those calling on Christians to have compassion on needy people from other countries, I have heard or read several people reference 1 Timothy 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” In this same context, some have said things like, “As long as we have poor people here in the USA, or as long as we are not taking proper care of our veterans, we should not give one red cent to help those from other countries.” While some have limited the scope of their comments … [Read more...] about Worse than an infidel?
Can We Avoid Hiring Based on Race?
I'm asking this question because I used to be one of the "just hire the right man for the job" crowd. Then, I had lunch with a millennial. I asked him how I could reach millennials with the gospel. His answer was blunt, to the point, and surprising. He said, "Get a millennial to reach them." I expected him to tell me to be more active on social media, or tell me where millennials hang out these days. The quickest way to reach millennials is to get a millennial to reach them. How does this relate to the current SBC conversation on minorities in leadership? The quickest way to reach … [Read more...] about Can We Avoid Hiring Based on Race?
What Should I do: Thoughts on Political and Cultural Engagement
I'm struggling. I'm struggling with how to engage culture for God's glory. The recent nomination fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh forced that struggle to the front of my conscience. There are five realities guiding my decisions on cultural engagement, and five action steps I'd like to take in the future. 5 Realities I have friends who I want to influence with the gospel: This reality hits me hard. I have many friends who don't think like me, vote like me, share my background, etc... I want be a Christ like influence in their lives. I see our society moving in a … [Read more...] about What Should I do: Thoughts on Political and Cultural Engagement