SBC Voices

Word has begun to leak out about the tragedy that has come upon the Ergun Caner family. Braxton Caner, the 15 year-old son of Ergun Caner, has committed suicide, according to reports that have become public. I know from experience the devastation that suicide brings in families, though the loss of a child must multiply that grief in ways I can't imagine. I held off saying anything until the news was leaked by other sources. Now that it has been made public, let me express my sympathy to Dr. Caner, his family, and the entire Brewton Parker College family. It is time to pray for Dr. Caner … [Read more...] about Pray for the Caners. JUST Pray!

I have grown up mostly in the 80s and 90s, and during those time periods, there has been a shift in the way examination and beliefs have processed. In the baby boomer generation, the question was “what should we do”? In my generation, Gen X and Gen Y, the question is not so much of how, but why? Why do we do things, what is the purpose and what is the point? Are we doing something that is worth while, is this worth our time and effort? This is a departure from the philosophy of our baby boomer parents, who told us what to do, but the question of why was usually answered with “because I said … [Read more...] about Not What, Ask Why!

I’ve long been intrigued by the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Truth be told I’ve been a bit emotionally bothered by the story. I’ve often read it as if Pharaoh would have repented and turned out to be a good dude around plague #4 but because the Lord hardened his heart he remained a stubborn jerk. I read it differently now. The Purpose of Exodus When I read the Exodus account what I see is a God that is flexing His muscle. He is doing it so that the whole world, and especially the Hebrews, might know who he is. You see this in Exodus 5:2 when Pharaoh says, “Who is the Lord…I do not … [Read more...] about Why Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart

Matthew Vines, the self proposed “gay Christian,” in his book, God and the Gay Christian, argues that gay people in committed relationships is not ungodly or unbiblical. This is to say that Vines believes that it’s okay–biblically warranted even–to be homosexual, so long as you are in a monogamous relationship. His book argues this point by unpacking what he believes are the only six passages in the Bible that deal with the issue of homosexuality. One of these passages is the well-known story of Sodom and Gomorrah from Genesis 19, the tale of two cities that were totally obliterated because, … [Read more...] about I’ve Changed My Mind, Sodom is About Inhospitality

America is facing a crisis at the border. Tens of thousands of children have come from Central America looking for asylum, protection, and a chance at a future that they will not find in their home countries. Drug Wars have ravaged their nations. Also, confusion from Washington and our politicians on what the immigration situation actually is has created the misperception that if the children come and turn themselves in to border guards, they will be allowed to stay. The political problems are vast, solutions are hard to find, and America is divided. The Church is also divided on the issue of … [Read more...] about God at the Border? Children, the Immigration Crisis, and the Church

Dr. David W. Manner is the Associate Executive Director for the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. He blogs at  http://kncsb.org/blogs/dmanner . You can follow him on Twitter:  @dwmanner.  Most potential homebuyers decide whether or not to check out the interior of a house or take it seriously as a home prospect for their family based on its curb appeal…how it looks from the street. Statistics show that a positive curb appeal brings more people through the front door and gives them a healthy first impression. Conversely, poor curb appeal excludes certain people from looking … [Read more...] about 10 Ways the Evangelical Church Has Lost Its Curb Appeal (by David Manner)

I understand the angst that some feel about the love that many Christians have for Israel. I get it. We need to balance our perspective. God loves Palestinians as much as he loves Americans or Israelis. Jesus died for all. Standing with Israel does not mean that we ought to support or defend every action of the Israeli government or the Israeli army. As Christians, our concern is pastoral and evangelistic in the Middle East conflict, not just political. Again, I get it. It is a legitimate criticism that some (especially in my own eschatological camp) have gone overboard in the … [Read more...] about Is the Pendulum Swinging Too Far? Christians, Israel and the Middle East Conflict