A few days ago, Dave Miller shared his thoughts on the “Patterson brouhaha” in this post: A Few Words about the Patterson Saga. In my opinion, it was balanced, honest, and gracious. As I reflected on Dave's post, I started to wonder: How exactly did we get in this mess? Make no mistake, it is a mess, and all Southern Baptists are in it – together. People are debating whether Dr. Paige Patterson should preach the convention sermon or whether he should remain president of Southwestern Seminary. Those questions are important. I'm not taking away from those discussions, but that's not my … [Read more...] about The Mess We Are In: Can We Say “Enough Is Enough”?
Why Don’t IMB Missionaries Ever Visit My Church?
I've come across an increasing number of comments in recent years regarding the absence of IMB missionaries from average churches across the SBC. Of course, this might be simply because I'm old and I've had more time to note these items; as well, this perspective might flow from chronological myopia. To review, IMB missionaries live internationally for at least 22 months and up to 5 years before returning the US for what they now call stateside assignment (see also "furlough"). How long they remain in the States depends both on personal preference and the length of their most recent term. … [Read more...] about Why Don’t IMB Missionaries Ever Visit My Church?
Answering Some Objections Regarding Paige Patterson
The trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have a difficult meeting ahead of them on May 22. Their President, Dr. Paige Patterson, has come under fire recently for comments made at a 2000 CBMW event regarding abuse and a 2015 conference where he referred to a 16 year old's appearance as "nice." I won't rehash the details of his comments here, but you can read about them elsewhere if you've just slid out from under a rock somewhere and have no idea what I'm talking about. Google will surely help you out. This must not be swept under the rug. It must be dealt with … [Read more...] about Answering Some Objections Regarding Paige Patterson
On Racial Unity Among Southern Baptists – Submitted Resolution for #SBC18
This Resolution “On Racial Unity Among Southern Baptists” will be submitted to the SBC Resolutions Committee to be considered for the June 2018 Convention in Dallas, TX, by: Danny Akin, Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church Cameron Triggs, Grace Alive Church Mike Turner, Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Dwight McKissic, Cornerstone Baptist Church WHEREAS, the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, William B. Johnson indicated in his inaugural address that Southern Baptists were “free to promote slavery” arguing that slavery was a legal and civil matter, not a church matter; … [Read more...] about On Racial Unity Among Southern Baptists – Submitted Resolution for #SBC18
From the Voice that Matters Most: Eph 2:5-10 — Meditating on God’s Grace
This passage continues the thought of what God has done for us in Christ and what the Grace of God has brought to the life of the believer. For me, the practical outcome of this passage (and really all of what we have studied so far in Ephesians) is learning to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. To remind myself daily of its truth and live a life that flows from it. To not only rely on the message for my eternity, but to be transformed by it day by day. Believers need to understand, meditate on, embrace, and live out the reality of this gospel – what God has done for us and who we are in … [Read more...] about From the Voice that Matters Most: Eph 2:5-10 — Meditating on God’s Grace
Someone must say about the avuncular Dave Miller…
...that he is the wittiest person in the SBC. To wit: He also relayed a bit of humor amid the ordeal: May 1: "Had a Christian nurse, a mainline Christian nurse and a Syrian doctor. It was an interesting conversation." May 1: "Going home [after the biopsy]. Trying to convince Jenni the doctor ordered stop at Mr Stirfry but she ain't buying it." May 3: "The hospital turned down my request to live-tweet the surgery today. Some nonsense about general anesthesia making that a bad choice." May 4: "Based on the pain I am experiencing, I have made the decision to never have my spleen and … [Read more...] about Someone must say about the avuncular Dave Miller…
SBC FAQs answers your questions
The First Question asked and answered is: What is the Southern Baptist Convention? I suspect that many Southern Baptists would be unable to give a good answer. But Keith Harper and Amy Whitfield of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary answer this and others in their new book "SBC FAQs, A Ready Reference." It's $13.99 at LifeWay. I'm guessing you can pick one up at the Annual Meeting if you dare sneak out of one of the contentious sessions and visit the bookstore. In several decades of talking inside baseball SBC stuff and attending annual meetings the lack of understanding about the … [Read more...] about SBC FAQs answers your questions
A Ramadan Dilemma
In about 9 days, Ramadan will kick off for Muslims around the world. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month, the same month during which the Quran was given to the Prophet. During the month, Muslims eat breakfast before their dawn prayers. They fast all day, give to the poor, and seek to live moral lives since immoral acts breaks the fast. They attend special prayers at the mosques and then, around sunset, they break their fast by eatings dates. The person who pays for the dates earns credit with Allah. The group feasts well into the night on various dishes, usually with family and their closest … [Read more...] about A Ramadan Dilemma
Ephesians 2–an overview
I opened my bible for devotion this morning and it fell to Isaiah 12. I normally have a plan for my devotion time, and it doesn’t typically involve letting the pages fall where they may. This morning, however, I decided to just read and meditate on the first passage I saw. Isaiah 12 reads, “On that day you will say: ‘I will give thanks to the You, Lord, although You were angry with me. Your anger has turned away, and You have comforted me. Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my song. He has become my … [Read more...] about Ephesians 2–an overview
Some Observations on Religious Freedom
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released it's annual report on April 18th. If you're interested, you can read the full version here, or the abridged version here. If you're unfamiliar with the work of USCIRF, they are responsible for monitoring the conditions of religious freedom around the globe and submitting reports to the White House, and to the Senate. They also lobby for legislation and other political action related to global religious freedom. In the style of fellow voices contributor William Thornton, I am going to offer my observations of … [Read more...] about Some Observations on Religious Freedom