SBC Voices

“Pornography satisfies every one of the prerequisites for neuroplastic change...” psychiatrist Norman Doidge, in The Brain That Changes Itself (2006) I've got this buddy, a counselor for a Christian organization.  I got him really caffeinated one day - enough espressos will befuddle anyone save Juan Valdez - and starting prying.  "Longest shower you ever took after a counseling session?  Biggest loser you ever counseled?  Hardest thing for people to grasp?" "Oh, hardest thing to understand?  That's an easy one: Romans 12:1-2.  Cognitive or mental transformation is a real thing.  It happens … [Read more...] about Pornography, Cerebral Plasticity, and Transformation

A group of guys are sitting at a table arguing about who won the 1984 World Series MVP. If the year was 1994 then the argument would go on until somebody got home and looked up in their copy of Sports Almanac. Today the argument will last only as long as it takes for someone to grab their iPhone and consult the mighty Google machine. Willie Hernandez. Argument over. You want to know something, then you Google it. It’s your God-given right to have this information and it is at your finger tips. We are an information-saturated culture. I’d almost argue that many of us are addicted to … [Read more...] about A Thirst For Knowledge, A Thirst For Porn

The following might be a familiar scenario: After noticing a new addition to your Christian friend’s arm, you couldn’t help but ask what inspired him to pay money to a stranger to stain his skin with a tool forged in the pits of Mordor. (Can you tell I hate needles?) The response might have gone something like this, “I got this tattoo to share the gospel with other people that have tattoos.” It’s important to state that not every believer that gets a tattoo does so for this reason, but many do. And some believers do other things in order to “share the gospel,” like attend certain parties, … [Read more...] about I Got this Tattoo to Share the Gospel

Guest Post by: Job Dalomba Each week at Emmanuel Church, we observe the Lord’s Supper near the end of our corporate worship service and personally speaking, it is an emotional event. I am reminded of the forgiveness of my sins and reflect upon the specific sins in which I have been convicted of during this worship service. Coming to the table is an act of faith because we are acknowledging our helplessness to atone for our sins. The body and blood of Christ are set before us and there we face works based righteousness or righteousness found only in Christ. Is my righteousness enough for … [Read more...] about Family Faithfulness & The Lord’s Supper (by Job Dalomba)

I recently had the opportunity to ask some questions of Dr. Dennis Kim, pastor of Global Mission Church of Greater Washington. Dr. Kim is being nominated for the office of president of the Southern Baptist Convention in Baltimore, MD in a couple of weeks by Rev. Dwight McKissic of Cornerstone Baptist Church (Arlington, TX). After being introduced to Dr. Kim via email through a mutual friend, he has graciously agreed to answer my questions regarding his life, ministry, and nomination for SBC president. Dr. Kim's nomination is the definition of a grass-roots pick, as he was approached by a group … [Read more...] about Interview With Dr. Dennis Kim, Candidate for President of the SBC (by Alan Cross)

Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey).  Last month, the Christian music community was shocked to hear of the pending divorce between musicians Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken.  After 13 years of marriage, the couple announce the dissolution of their union due to Derek's infidelity. As a pastor of more than 20 years, my heart breaks every time I hear of a couple splitting up.  I've been in those counseling rooms, and the visceral emotions and long-term damage … [Read more...] about The Kissing Cousins of Divorce and Heresy (by Joel Rainey)

America is at war. As of yesterday, 05-24-14, the number of men and women of the American Armed Forces who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan was 6,805. It is highly possible that before anyone reads this post another father or mother will be notified that their daughter or son will not be coming home. Another young wife or husband may get the news that his or her spouse paid the ultimate price. A little boy may learn that his daddy will never coach him in Little League again. Some little girl may come to the realization that when she gets ready to go to her high school prom, her … [Read more...] about A Memorial Day Tribute (by CB Scott)

A man walks up to a bank teller and asks, "Can you give me change for this one hundred dollar bill?" The teller says, "Sure. What denomination?" And the man replies, "Baptist—Southern Baptist if you've got it." No, there is not really such a thing as Southern Baptist money—except for the fact that there is. Southern Baptist money is the money given by Southern Baptists to promote Southern Baptist causes and build up the Kingdom of God in and through the ministry channels of the Southern Baptist Convention. And herein lies a major problem. The walls clearly delineating our religious … [Read more...] about Baptist Methods and Money

You've probably seen this before, but after a few of our more recent discussions, I thought it might be time to bring back the encouraging words of Martin Luther himself, as a model of Christian civility. The gentle words of Luther will bless us all. … [Read more...] about A Powerful Resource for Baptist Bloggers

Bob blogs at "Eagles Rest", is a good friend and has been around blogging many years.  I just finished reading "When Heaven and Earth Collide ... Racism, Evangelicals, and the Better Way of Jesus". Its author is Alan Cross, a pastor in Montgomery, AL, who happens also to be a personal friend. But before my observations of what I saw in the book, a few notes about the author. I met Alan in 2006 or 2007, as we were involved in some mutual projects involving Bloggers and the SBC. Shortly after, in February 2007, Alan slept on a cot in our hotel room that CB Scott and I had reserved. Alan had … [Read more...] about “When Heaven and Earth Collide”; A Review of a Book and a Pastor (by Bob Cleveland)