This past Sunday, I started a month-long sermon series from Philippians entitled “Joy.” Why preach such a series? First, when you read the list of the fruit of the Spirit joy is listed #2 out of 9, right after love (which we know encompasses the greatest command on which all others hinge). With this, we do remember that it is the fruit of the Spirit and not the fruits. Maybe not exactly in the same proportion, but if we are in the Spirit all these traits will grow and manifest. Still, there’s something to say about joy’s placement. Second, we live in a world where there is a lot of not-joy. … [Read more...] about Joy in Life Beyond Life
In Defense of US Military Intervention
I am definitely straying outside my area of expertise here. Foreign policy is complicated today. It was always complicated, but our modern world with all the wars and rumors of wars that abound is a minefield to negotiate. I do not pretend to have an authoritative word to end debate but an opinion to open the floor for your discussion. Among many of my friends, it is almost a given that the US' tendency toward intervention is a disaster. The gulf wars and Afghanistan would be exhibit A in their theory that we have caused more trouble than we have solved with our tendencies to send troops … [Read more...] about In Defense of US Military Intervention
At Midwestern 9/2/2014
I was blessed to speak at chapel at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on Tuesday. I didn't realize they were doing video (remember the camera adds 135 pounds!). Anyway, here is the video if anyone is interested. … [Read more...] about At Midwestern 9/2/2014
Louisiana College Back in SACS Hot Water
Another Baptist college has run afoul of the accrediting agency SACS. In a letter dated July 9. 2014, SACS has alleged non-compliance with their Principles of Accreditation in at least 6 areas and Louisiana College now bears the burden of proving why its membership in SACS should not be withdrawn. They are back on SACS probation. Here is a link to the full letter from SACS, released by LC today. (LC SACS (here is another version in case the letter happens to disappear from LC's site). The six areas with which SACS has a problem are: PR 1.1 - Principles of Integrity SACS accuses LC … [Read more...] about Louisiana College Back in SACS Hot Water
Weekly Round-up: SBC Finance News and Notes
Second-Coming Group Announces Rapturous Donation Plan Members of the fringe evangelical group Day That Never Comes announced a binding vote this week that earmarked "a sizable donation" to the International Mission Board. Buck Skettleswroth - Pastor, Prophet and bighorn hunter - said that when the Savior returns after this weekend's Boise State game, church members would no longer need their material possessions. Instead, the group has unanimously agreed to bequeath their net worth to “those left-behind, gravy-bathing, badger-hugging heretics” of the SBC. Donations are expected to top … [Read more...] about Weekly Round-up: SBC Finance News and Notes
Baptism as the Sinner’s Prayer
What must I do to be saved? When we seek to answer the question of how a person moves from being a sinner at enmity with God and in desperate need of salvation to being a saint who is a holy and beloved child of God enjoying the fruits of salvation, we know there are two sides with which we must deal: the sovereign work of God in the hearts and minds of people through the Gospel message, and our response to that message. We don’t have to look very far to understand that we view certain aspects differently, such as: how and in whom does God work to open their hearts and minds. This aspect … [Read more...] about Baptism as the Sinner’s Prayer
IMB Changes Funding Protocols: Is This the Future?
The IMB's primary sources of funding are the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (LMCO) and the Cooperative Program (CP), though many churches choose to designate certain other monies for the IMB. LMCO offerings remain robust year by year, but CP giving has dropped and with that dip, the IMB has faced some difficult reductions in staffing and missionary appointments. Since the organization is primarily a missionary-sending agency, IMB leaders place a tremendous emphasis on finding new ways to fund new missionaries while maintaining support for the current missionary force. Lost in noise … [Read more...] about IMB Changes Funding Protocols: Is This the Future?
So what does Platt/IMB say about our Cooperative Program? (William Thornton)
William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. Who am I kidding. You guys know him!! David Platt is our newly elected leader of our most important entity, The International Mission Board. What does his election say about our main channel of cooperative giving, The Cooperative Program? Here's what a few prominent Southern Baptists say: "Missions going and giving is bigger and more expansive than the Cooperative Program." - Herschel York, IMB trustee, David Platt is President of the IMB (and that's a good thing). "As the president of an entity funded through the C[ooperative] P[rogram] … [Read more...] about So what does Platt/IMB say about our Cooperative Program? (William Thornton)
Was the Apostle Paul a Racist?
Paul writing to Titus ~ "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' (Titus 1:12 ESV) The prophet that Paul was referring to was Epimenides, who was himself from Crete and was born in Cnossos and lived as a philospher and prophet in the 6th century B.C. Paul takes a phrase uttered by a man 600 years before to describe a people to whom he had sent Titus to plant a church among. Here is the context: For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They … [Read more...] about Was the Apostle Paul a Racist?
The Undressing of the Church (Paul Thompson)
Paul Thompson blogs at "The Bridge." I just finished an essay by Jeff Pollard, entitled Christian Modesty, the Public Undressing of America. For a thorough examination of the history of how public opinion has shifted in America in regards to clothing you should read this. Informative and interesting to see the intention of the fashion and movie industry methodically marching a nation toward the undressing of men and women. “The fashion industry does not believe that the principle purpose of clothing is to cover the body; it believes that the principle purpose of clothing is sexual … [Read more...] about The Undressing of the Church (Paul Thompson)