It was a perfect storm and Don Currence got caught right in the middle of it last week at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. The large deliberative body meeting in that historic city took important measures to deal with the heartbreaking issue of sexual abuse which tragically exist in some of our churches (as well as in many other denominations and other institutions). This is a difficult issue to engage, particularly for us, since the roughly 47,000 SBC churches are autonomous bodies and there is no hierarchical structure that can direct any local … [Read more...] about Don Currence: A Picture of Grace (CJ Adkins)
Politics
The Fall of All the Mall Walls: Definitions in the Age of Social Media (Dean Treloar)
Recently, I was talking to a friend about a mishap he had experienced on twitter. This friend of mine, a pastor, was defending a biblical view on social issues when, presumably due to the language used, was miscategorized by a reader as being an advocate for a trending political controversy. The misunderstanding of tweets as a result of language — in this case, language that happens be shared in hot-button topics in our current political bipartisan divide — is all too common. Consequently, my friend and I spent a great deal of time talking about the phrases we use and the words we select to … [Read more...] about The Fall of All the Mall Walls: Definitions in the Age of Social Media (Dean Treloar)
I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
One week ago I wrote my first draft of this article, then I didn't post it because I realized I was angry and my words were not appropriate nor were they even coherent due to my frustration. Thus, I have waited until today when the hard copy of the article to which I was responding arrived at our church office (and I am in better control of my faculties ). Also, I had another title for this article but some dear friends suggested I should soften it a bit. So this is me not being angry or incendiary... The Baptist Message's "Investigation" Last week the Baptist Message (BM), the state … [Read more...] about I Am Embarrassed by My State Paper, The Baptist Message
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
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)
Character Matters: George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush was the first President I remember. I was eight years old when he was elected and I remember he beat that guy whose tank helmet was too big for his head. George Bush was beacon of civility in a cruel profession. What I have learned about him since his exit from office is the exact opposite of what we see in politics today. His character was above reproach and his character mattered to him. Here are some of the highlights: He was the son of a wealthy Senator, yet chose to serve as a fighter pilot in World War II. He could have found a place of service in … [Read more...] about Character Matters: George H. W. Bush
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
What Christine Blasey Ford is Teaching Christians About Worldview
Regardless of how you feel about Brett Kavanaugh or the whole debacle that is his confirmation hearing, one thing is certain: worldview matters. I remember sitting at my desk at school as a young teenager, reading the last few pages of Anne Frank’s diary. I wondered how this dear girl, after witnessing so much tragedy and terror, could have possibly maintained her belief that “people are still good at heart.” We all love Anne Frank for her optimism and her honesty. But, the truth is that despite Anne’s heartwarming deduction that deep down we are all good, the Bible paints a painfully and … [Read more...] about What Christine Blasey Ford is Teaching Christians About Worldview
Why I Cannot and Will Not Sign the “Social Justice and the Gospel Statement” (by Ryan Burton King)
This article originally appeared at Ryan Burton King's website and is crossposted here with permission. We're thankful for Ryan's thorough and strong response to the statement released yesterday. Throughout history, Christians have banded together to examine and respond to various crises, real or perceived. Creeds from the days of the Church Fathers, and confessions from the time of the Reformation are joined by petitions and tracts from the Puritan era into our own, local church confessions, associational, conventional, and denominational resolutions, and parachurch statements from a … [Read more...] about Why I Cannot and Will Not Sign the “Social Justice and the Gospel Statement” (by Ryan Burton King)