Passage: 17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. 20 But that is not how you came to know Christ, 21 assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to take off your … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most – Ephesians 4:17-24 – “Testify…Turned, Turned, Turned.”
Southern Baptists, This Is a Time for War
I guess you know, this means war. How many times did Bugs Bunny utter those words to one of his antagonists in the cartoons of my youth? I believe the words are apt today. We are at war. The Southern Baptist Convention, its entities, its churches, and its people are at war. It is a long and brutal war and it will not end until the day we see Jesus face to face. A state of war exists in the SBC, but it is a war that we are fighting badly. We are fighting the wrong war against the wrong enemies using the wrong weapons. Paul warned the Corinthians of just such a problem when he gave … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists, This Is a Time for War
From the Voices That Matters Most: Ephesians 4:11-16
Do you remember Wordle? It was a fun little app we played with for awhile that made word clouds. About a decade ago Thom Rainer asked the question of many people what they thought of when they thought of Southern Baptists. This is what he got: Looking at this Wordle it is pretty clear that those that responded view Southern Baptist’s as legalistic, traditional, and old; concerned with missions and fried chicken. It does not take a religious scholar to figure out that something is wrong with a Christian denomination when people associate fried chicken with you more than they do Jesus. … [Read more...] about From the Voices That Matters Most: Ephesians 4:11-16
What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
It's been a little quiet around here since Tuesday evening. We closed comments temporarily and thought it was best to allow things to settle some before jumping back into the conversation. A lot has happened on social media and these articles have been widely shared. I think all three are really helpful in thinking through and absorbing what has transpired over the last month and especially this week. Each one is well worth your time. The Wrath of God Poured Out — The Humiliation of the Southern Baptist Convention by Al Mother. Available at Mohler's website and Christianity … [Read more...] about What Is Happening in the SBC: Helpful Thoughts & Reflections
D.A. Horton on Patterson and SWBTS
D.A. Horton is the lead pastor at Reach Fellowship in Long Beach, CA. His is a voice we need to hear. Read the whole thread. Dear #SBC18, I’m deeply grieved how power & privilege inside our convention are used to build walls of self-preservation & systemic protection. This results in allowing an erring person to avoid confessing wrongdoings which = the removal of bearing fruits of repentance. (1) — D.A. Horton (@da_horton) May 24, 2018 When we shield someone w/ repeated public offenses from confession of wrongdoing, it not only allows them remain ensnared perhaps in the … [Read more...] about D.A. Horton on Patterson and SWBTS
Lord, Send a Revival, and Let It Begin…
Things are a mess in the SBC right now, aren't they? I don't think I have to argue that. The convention held its breath for 13 hours yesterday while the trustees of SWBTS debated the future of Dr. Paige Patterson as president. Their decision is a matter of debate throughout the SBC and few are fully satisfied. I am an old-fashioned old-fogey and I believe in the "trust the trustees" mantra. They did not reach the decision I'd have wished for but they had information I do not and I am willing to yield to their wisdom. Social media is a hot mess. The hostility, the crassness, the profane … [Read more...] about Lord, Send a Revival, and Let It Begin…
Paige Patterson Has Been Made President Emeritus of SWBTS – Effective Immediately
We have received word that Dr. Paige Patterson has been transitioned to the president emeritus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, effective immediately, after a lengthy Board of Trustees meeting today. Jeffrey Bingham is Interim President. Baptist Press has more detail. We realize that this decision will bring about a wide range of reactions, from joy to anger. We feel it is best to let the information come out fully in the next day or so before we begin to add opinion to these facts. Comments are closed for now. God bless Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. … [Read more...] about Paige Patterson Has Been Made President Emeritus of SWBTS – Effective Immediately
From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 4:7-10
Passage: Ephesians 4:7-10 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people. 9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he[c] also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things. Devotional: Ephesians 4:7-10 is our passage for today. Let's take it part by part. First, Ephesians 4:7 talks about the grace given to each of us. The thing we … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Ephesians 4:7-10
Email to SEBTS Students on Washington Post Story [Full Text]
This afternoon, SEBTS released this email to seminary students to address the steps they have taken and are taking as a result of information that's recently come to light in today's Washington Post story. Dear SEBTS Students: Today an article was released in the Washington Post that mentions Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The focus of the article is the handling of a rape accusation that involved two students in 2003. The event took place under a previous administration. I was only recently made aware of this event. Since being made aware of the event, I have asked our … [Read more...] about Email to SEBTS Students on Washington Post Story [Full Text]
Washington Post: Allegation Patterson Urged Student Victim Not to Report Sexual Assault
The Washington Post has just released a story with disturbing allegations against Dr. Paige Patterson. Patterson is accused of pressuring a rape victim not to report the rape during his tenure at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. You can read the story at the Washington Post. The article was released during the time SWBTS trustees were in closed meeting. Comments are closed. … [Read more...] about Washington Post: Allegation Patterson Urged Student Victim Not to Report Sexual Assault