“if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” –Psalm 11:3 In America we are seeing many of our foundations destroyed. There are godly principles upon which for hundreds of years we have stood. These pillars of our society are being decimated by an increasingly liberal and progressive culture. So, what should people of faith do? What will happen to this great nation when these foundations are destroyed? The answer for many of our evangelical leaders is to fight for these foundations while they are only tottering. In their mind, we must keep fighting for these foundations of … [Read more...] about Even If The Foundations Are Destroyed Fear-Mongering is Not an Option
What will leadership changes bring in the southern, legacy state conventions?
One of the questions that the folks at SBC This Week asked, in January of 2017, was, "Will we start to see leadership transitions in southern states?" The answer for that year was, "no" but this year the answer will be "yes." The 14 "southern" states with 16 of the SBC's 42 state conventions make up most of the SBC's giving and other stats, 90% or more of some. These are SBC Virginia BGA Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia Florida Alabama Mississippi Louisiana BGC Texas SB Texas C Oklahoma Missouri Arkansas Kentucky … [Read more...] about What will leadership changes bring in the southern, legacy state conventions?
Dr. David L. Allen’s “The Current SBC Calvinism Debate” – An Interaction
I hate hidden agendas - they are unworthy of God's people. Paul said, in 2 Corinthians 4:2 that he renounced secret and shameful ways. So, I want to come clean here and tell you exactly what I am doing. In the book, "Anyone Can Be Saved: A Defense of 'Traditional' Southern Baptist Soteriology" edited by David L. Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood, Dr. Allen opens the discussion with an excellent essay entitled, "The Current SBC Calvinism Debate: Observations, Clarifications, and Suggestions." It is one of the best things I have read on the topic. What I'd like to do is simply copy it … [Read more...] about Dr. David L. Allen’s “The Current SBC Calvinism Debate” – An Interaction
Serving on the Committee on Nominations (Dean Stewart)
I currently have the privilege of serving on the Committee on Nominations of the Southern Baptist Convention. I have had the responsibility of representing Mississippi Baptists on this committee three times now. This year I had the honor of serving with a layman from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A couple weeks ago I emailed our finished product to the Executive Committee of the SBC. We finished our work ahead of the deadline. Our recommendations await approval of the entire Committee on Nominations which will meet in Nashville in a this week. I would like to share some misconceptions that a … [Read more...] about Serving on the Committee on Nominations (Dean Stewart)
IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 2 (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
This post comes from the same missionary who authored the previous post that was read so widely. NOTE: I am aware of the author's identity and made the decision that his reasons for anonymity were valid. Part One from this missionary can be found here. I wrote anonymously earlier to draw attention away from who is writing to what is written. Do Southern Baptists know or care that the mission effort that inspired the cooperation of our churches is declining? I believe it matters to God that we are letting slip away the most effective way for Southern Baptists to impact the world. My … [Read more...] about IMB – Too Valuable to Lose, Part 2 (Anonymous Emeritus IMB Missionary)
2018 SBC Voices Bracket Challenge
Good evening! We've done this before, so that makes it a tradition. We are Baptists, after all, and tradition is tradition, even if the times they are a-changin'. So, without further ado, here's the link/information for the 2018 Bracket Challenge and the SBCVoices18 Group: Go to ESPN and sign up for the Tournament Challenge. Search for the SBCVoices2018 group to join. The group password is: BooYankees (Editor's NOTE: Doug will NOT be given this responsibility next year, after the Yankees' 28th World Championship.) Please understand that this is strictly in reference to the New York … [Read more...] about 2018 SBC Voices Bracket Challenge
Dr. A. B. Vines to Be Nominated for SBC First Vice President
Baptist Press just reported that Dr. Johnny Hunt will nominate Dr. A. B. Vines for SBC First Vice President this summer at the Annual Meeting in Dallas. Vines is pastor of New Seasons Church in San Diego, President of the California Southern Baptist Convention, and is a recent past president of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC. You'll see all those details and more in the BP article. The announcement notes the extensive missions work of New Seasons Church, Cooperative Program and Great Commission Giving, "community clothing and feeding ministries, at least two church … [Read more...] about Dr. A. B. Vines to Be Nominated for SBC First Vice President
Let’s take a look at “The 10-3-10-50 Plan for Southern Baptist Cooperation”
This article is an evaluation of and reaction to a suggested giving plan for Southern Baptist individuals, churches, state conventions, and Executive Committee made by Rick Patrick on his site. He calls it "The 10-3-10-50 Plan for Southern Baptist Cooperation" a rather unwieldy but descriptive title. Here...but pay no attention to the other nonsense there.) The numbers are percentages: 10%, an individual's tithe to their local church; 3%, the percentage of the local church's undesignated giving to their local association; 10%, the percentage of the local church's undesignated … [Read more...] about Let’s take a look at “The 10-3-10-50 Plan for Southern Baptist Cooperation”
The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Volume II
About this time last year I published a review of The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Volume I. Courtesy of Broadman and Holman Publishers, this year I'm able to bring you review of Volume II. Charles Haddon Spurgeon was one of the most influential preachers of the 19th century. At a time before automobiles, airplanes, and electricity, he regularly preached before crowds of more than 5,000 in his church in London (he once even preached before crowd of over 23,000 people). He founded a college, an orphanage, and was a strong advocate for foreign missions. He was personally acquainted with D. … [Read more...] about The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Volume II
Interacting with “Anyone Can Be Saved,” by David L Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood (Part 1)
I was feeling small the other day, reading an exchange about brilliant scholars who read 5 or 10 books a week. None of them was me! I’m so far behind on my reading that it is a source of constant guilt. In May of 2013, my friend Mike Leake gave me a copy of his excellent book, “Torn to Heal” to review. It’s on my list. Trevin Wax, that same year, asked me to review “Clear Winter Nights.” I’ve read both and plan to publish the reviews before the books get remaindered. I’ve linked to and promoted Alan Cross’ excellent “When Heaven and Earth Collide” but never got around to the formal review. Odd … [Read more...] about Interacting with “Anyone Can Be Saved,” by David L Allen, Eric Hankins, and Adam Harwood (Part 1)