I have friends who believe that the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC was a work of God that turned a denomination from the path of ruin which other denominations have followed. I have other friends who think the CR was a political shenanigan, a power-grab that had little to do with theology. They do not admit that there was a genuine problem with liberalism and see the CR as a tragedy which has ruined our denomination. I think there is some truth on both sides. I was a foot soldier in the CR. I attended the Houston convention in 1979 and was thrilled when Adrian Rogers was elected … [Read more...] about The Conservative Resurgence: Reflections of a Foot Soldier
Is Christ Enough for You? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. We live in a society that looks in every direction for assistance, help, and satisfaction. We look to magazines, TV, movies, and the Internet to sooth our hurts, burdens, and disappointments. When problems become greater, we turn to the “professionals” and seek their assistance in calming and settling our hurts, burdens, and disappointments. We are conditioning people to distrust the sovereignty and sufficiency of Christ. Jesus is superior in the things pertaining to salvation … [Read more...] about Is Christ Enough for You? (by Andy Hynes)
If You Desire Non-Confessional Proportionality in the SBC, You Defeat Yourself
Jared Moore has asked us to remove his posts. There are a handful, like this article, which we've turned into a summary and left the comments section posted. At one time there was a prominent argument made by some in the SBC that leadership should be proportional so that theological sub-groups within the SBC were proportionally represented. One quote from Moore's article: Some Southern Baptists argue for a type of proportionality in SBC leadership which goes beyond confessionalism. In their words, "We want SBC leadership to look like the SBC."... They want SBC leadership to reflect … [Read more...] about If You Desire Non-Confessional Proportionality in the SBC, You Defeat Yourself
The Craving of a Generation or Two
Today I was talking to a friend about my faults. I have many, and one of them is my lack of motivation for things I don't see as important or worthwhile. If I have something to do that I know I should do, but fail to see it as valuable, effective or fruitful, I have a hard time doing. I am definitely the student who said "why do I have to learn this if I'm never gonna use it". I am working on just doing what I need to do, even if I think it's pointless, but I find the number of kindred spirits growing. My generation, the Xers and the generations to follow seem more than unmotivated, they seem … [Read more...] about The Craving of a Generation or Two
You Might Be a Pharisee If…You Attempt in the Flesh What Only God Can Do
What makes someone a Pharisee? We have a tendency to use the term as a pejorative, to label those with whom we disagree. It is common for those who lean a little to the left to label fundamentalists and conservatives as Pharisees. The appellation was common, and I believe largely unfair, in the Baptist Identity debate that dominated Baptist blogs a few years back. We tend to put this bullet in the gun and aim it at those on the other side of whatever debate in which we are currently involved. That is not what this series of posts is going to be about. There is little to be gained from … [Read more...] about You Might Be a Pharisee If…You Attempt in the Flesh What Only God Can Do
Am I a Pharisee? (Introduction)
We live in a world of laws. There is, for instance, the law of gravity – one that I have grown less enthused about as I have grown older and heavier. There are the laws of thermodynamics and physics and mathematics – most of which I do not really understand. There are also laws of human interaction, observations about the way things are in our crazy world. Perhaps the most famous of those laws is the one that takes effect every time I pick up a tool to try to do something mechanical – Murphy’s Law. If anything can go wrong, IT WILL! There is another law, which perhaps, like the pirates … [Read more...] about Am I a Pharisee? (Introduction)
Six Tips for Helping the Busiest of Pastors to Start Writing
In his book, 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters, Albert Mohler states that, “Leaders who want to make a difference, and to make that difference last, must write.” I am passionate about writing. I’ve often wondered if I’m a pastor who writes or a writer who pastors. In actuality I don’t think these two can be easily separated. Writing is a huge part of my pastoral ministry. It’s easy for me to heed Mohler’s advice to write. Other pastors have to work harder at writing. For those of you that read my article yesterday on 7 Reasons Why Pastors Should Be Writers, and immediately thought … [Read more...] about Six Tips for Helping the Busiest of Pastors to Start Writing
When a Leader Leads: Dr. Paul Chitwood’s Response to Campbellsville University
I have written many an article questioning the decisions and actions of those in leadership in our convention. I think it is one of blogging's purposes and, if done rightly, a way that our big ol' blogging mouths can serve the convention well. It is also important that we note leaders who lead well. Dr. Paul Chitwood is one of those leaders. He is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and is demonstrating repeatedly that he should and can be an important leader for our denomination's future. Last year, he sponsored a conference on Calvinism that attempted to bridge the … [Read more...] about When a Leader Leads: Dr. Paul Chitwood’s Response to Campbellsville University
The “Old Path” Is Not Always the Best Path – The KJV Is a Great Example!
I've seen it several times recently. "We are following the old paths!" I got an invitation to an "Old-Fashioned" tent revival. As the modern world rushes headlong in new, strange and frightening ways, there is a tendency for us to try to hold on to what is old, what is comfortable - that which we have known. We look back to the middle of the 20th Century as a golden age for the church (well, white Americans do - blacks probably don't remember that era of church-approved racism, discrimination and segregation quite so fondly!). I've known people (lots of them) who think that everything that … [Read more...] about The “Old Path” Is Not Always the Best Path – The KJV Is a Great Example!
The SBC Needs Some J. Lee Gradys!
J. Lee Grady is a former editor of Charisma magazine and the director of The Mordecai Project, who still writes for the magazine. Charisma is a leading charismatic journal, one with which most of us would have a lot of disagreement. I read a recent Charisma article by him, "No More Pentecostal Popemobiles." It was a great article on its own merits, but it also was an example of what we need to see more of in the SBC. In the article, he suggests that charismatics draw a line in the sand and not put up with any more shenanigans from big name charismatic preachers. NO MORE BODYGUARDS. We have … [Read more...] about The SBC Needs Some J. Lee Gradys!