First of all, truth time. I'm a Tim Tebow fan. I have to confess my shame. For his senior season at the College-that-shall-not-be-named, I actually found myself rooting for a team I'd have never thought I could root for. His testimony for Christ and his enthusiasm actually made me a fan of the Slytherin Gators for one season. I've been a Steelers' fan since the Steel Curtain dominated the scrimmage line in the days of my youth. But when Tebow's Broncos faced Pittsburgh in the playoffs, I was rooting for Tebow and rejoicing at his miraculous overtime victory. And, also by way of admission, … [Read more...] about Why I Can’t Completely Let Tim Tebow Off the Hook
Microwave Suffering
My wife has been really busy this past week putting together a Christmas play. This means that for the entire week I have been the chef of the house…which also means that our best meal of the week was either fish sticks or cheese pizza night. Most of the time I just find something to put in the microwave. I’ve discovered that there are two types of TV dinners. One type you stick in for 4-5 minutes then have to turn something, or cut something, or stir something, and then put the thing back in for another 5 minutes. The second type, and my preferred type, is the one that allows you to stick … [Read more...] about Microwave Suffering
The SBC Benefits from a Balance of Calvinists and Non-Calvinists
I am not a church or Baptist historian. I've done some reading, but the distance between my level of learning and expertise is significant. But I watched Dr. David Dockery's explanation of Baptist history at the Kentucky Baptist Convention-sponsored conference last year, which were (not surprisingly) highly instructive. If you have not yet, I would encourage you to watch these videos, available on YouTube. Here is Part 1 and Part 2. Basically, Dockery identifies how the two streams, which he identifies as Particular Baptists and General Baptists, were present in SBC life from the very … [Read more...] about The SBC Benefits from a Balance of Calvinists and Non-Calvinists
Majoring on the Minors (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. When you hear my title, I am sure there are many different things that come to mind. What comes to my mind these days is preaching. As I listen to sermons, I continue to hear pastors majoring on the minors. Please understand that I realize that “all” Scripture is God-breathed and inspired. However, I also know that there are major themes and less major themes. When you come to a particular passage there is one main truth that the biblical writer was seeking to accomplish. Our job … [Read more...] about Majoring on the Minors (by Andy Hynes)
It’s Time for the Cooperative Middle to Assert Itself
The debate between Calvinists and non-Calvinists (including Traditionalists) has been dominated in the SBC by the extremes on both sides. It is time for that to end. There are some Calvinists who annoy me - they seem intent on labeling the other side with pejoratives, never admit fault on their side, and come across as condescending and arrogant. There are some non-Calvinists who annoy me - they seem intent on painting Calvinists with dark, conspiratorial motives and appear to be content with nothing less than pinning a scarlet C on every Calvinist and banning them from leadership in SBC … [Read more...] about It’s Time for the Cooperative Middle to Assert Itself
A Blogging Break
I won't be at the keyboard much this weekend. I have to head to Des Moines for a BCI executive board meeting tomorrow, then I am flying to DFW to speak at Cornerstone Baptist in Arlington on Sunday. Sunday afternoon I'm going to be touring several airports for my return trip. And I am not sure I'll have time to do much posting during that time. I don't plan to try. Contributors, if you have something to post, have at it. Hopefully, it won't be about Calvinism! I'm nervous about leaving the site, because some of our discussions have started getting a little chippy. People wonder why we … [Read more...] about A Blogging Break
Under Pressure, Tim Tebow Cancels First Baptist, Dallas, TX Appearance (by Alan Cross)
Alan blogs at Downshore Drift, where this article was originally published. After opposition arose against First Baptist, Dallas, TX and pastor Robert Jeffress for what were called "controversial" stands against homosexuals, Muslims, Mormons, and other groups, Tim Tebow, who was scheduled to speak there, has just cancelled his appearance in a series of tweets. @TimTebow: "While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic...First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought … [Read more...] about Under Pressure, Tim Tebow Cancels First Baptist, Dallas, TX Appearance (by Alan Cross)
Snowmageddon: You Prepare for What You Expect
Micah Fries posted a hilarious picture on Twitter a couple of weeks ago. It was a picture of a patch of grass with a light dusting of snow on it. I joked with him that they probably cancelled school because of that blizzard. Micah surprised me by responding that, in fact, Nashville schools had been closed. We are currently bracing for a major blizzard (though most recent projections are that the snow has gone south and is nailing Kansas City instead of us - sorry, Scott Gordon!). But, if we get the 8 to 12 inches of snow originally projected, life will slow down in Sioux City for a few … [Read more...] about Snowmageddon: You Prepare for What You Expect
A Marriage God Hates
“When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15 ESV) The Lord created marriage. He loves … [Read more...] about A Marriage God Hates
Howard Hendricks Changed My Life: Now He Is with Jesus
I just saw a post that told us that Dr. Howard Hendricks has passed away. I have never had a significant conversation with Dr. Hendricks, but he changed my life. At Dallas Seminary - back in the old days, anyway - one of your first year classes was his "Inductive Bible Study Methods" class. After that class, you proceeded, over your four year course of studies, to do an inductive study of every book of the Bible. Dr. Hendricks emphasized a four-step process. Observation. Interpretation. Application. Correlation. I had been a preacher's kid with a lot of knowledge of the Bible that I … [Read more...] about Howard Hendricks Changed My Life: Now He Is with Jesus