This morning, I saw a question on the Holy Rev. Dr. Marty Duren's Facebook asking: Is there biblical evidence that those who cried 'Hosanna' on Palm Sunday were the ones who days later cried 'crucify Him'? Most in the discussion answered the question in the negative. They seemed to think that the group that praised Jesus at the Triumphal Entry was pretty much a different bunch than the ones who later that week screamed for Jesus' blood. One commenter referenced an article on Challies.com (by guest blogger John Ensor) called "The Crowd Was Not Fickle." He argues that "the crowd" in Matthew … [Read more...] about Did the Same People Shout “Hosanna” and “Crucify?”
Why We’ve All But Lost the Gay Marriage Debate
Back in 2011, Focus on the Family conceded that “we’ve probably lost” the gay marriage debate. Two years later “probably” would be an understatement. We have all but lost this debate. I am making the argument in this piece that this happened years ago when we swallowed certain cultural virtues instead of confronting them. In their book, The Narcissism Epidemic, authors Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell make the argument that narcissism is on a relentless rise in our culture. Starting in the 1960s, “Americans core cultural ideas slowly became more focused on self-admiration and … [Read more...] about Why We’ve All But Lost the Gay Marriage Debate
The Problem of Meta-narrative
My undergraduate work was in English Literature, and so I tend to see the world in more literary terms. Ya, I'm sorta nerdy like that. One thing that I have really begun to see is the meta-narrative issue leading people astray. You probably have read that our good friend Rob Bell support same gender marriage. How did Rob get to this place? I think it's the danger of the meta-narrative. What happens with the meta-narrative is it connects all things into one big ongoing story. We are linked in one big plot progression. The danger of the meta-narrative is it makes the entire story dynamic. … [Read more...] about The Problem of Meta-narrative
Baptist Renaissance NCAA Tournament Picks (by Bart Barber)
Bart blogs at Praisegod Barebones (at least when the spirit moves him). He also was gracious to let me publish his prognostications. Fortunately for him, he did not say, "Thus saith the Lord," so no Old Testament punishments are called for. March Madness is upon us once again, when everyone from shipping managers to laboratory technicians to car salesman to high school custodians become self-proclaimed doctors of bracketology. Pastors are right in there among them, but I have an admission to make: I know a lot less than the average man does about college basketball…about any sort of … [Read more...] about Baptist Renaissance NCAA Tournament Picks (by Bart Barber)
The Problem with Jesus
For centuries, the Jews had awaited the day when Messiah would come. They talked about it, groaned for it and prayed diligently to see that day come. False messiahs rose up and led many astray to destruction. But finally, the Christ came. Just as the prophet Zechariah had foretold, he came riding in on a donkey, a humble beast of burden. “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’ ” Matthew 21:5 (citing Zechariah 9:9) And Jerusalem exploded with excitement. They knew the stories of this … [Read more...] about The Problem with Jesus
The Future of Pastoral Ministry: Are we Really Up to This? (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey blogs at Themelios. He is the Executive Director of the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association. I spent this morning with a colleague working on the contours of a potential Doctor of Ministry program for Maryland pastors, and among other things, we discussed the future of pastoral ministry. For a few semesters, I've had the honor of teaching Pastoral Theology at a local seminary,and one of the units we cover relates to the task of leadership in emerging culture. As an introduction to this unit, I give the students a description of what the world will look like in the not-too-distant … [Read more...] about The Future of Pastoral Ministry: Are we Really Up to This? (by Joel Rainey)
Review of “Dangerous Calling”
In recent days the Discovery Channel has honed in on a few of the worlds most dangerous jobs; namely loggers and deep sea fishermen. These jobs are arduous and hazardous. According to Paul Tripp one other “job” that ought to be put on the list is pastoral ministry. In his book, Dangerous Calling, Tripp highlights the unique challenges of pastoral ministry. Tripp believes that “there are many pastors who have inserted themselves into a spiritual category that doesn’t exist” (23). This false spiritual category is confirmed and strengthened by the pastoral culture in which pastors live. … [Read more...] about Review of “Dangerous Calling”
An SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Bracket Challenge
Just for fun, I started an ESPN "SBC Voices" group. If you want to play, follow the links below and demonstrate your supreme and superior knowledge on these things. I never do that well on such things. I choose with my heart, not my head. I don't pick UNC, Duke or SEC teams even when I should. It's a matter of conscience. I pick Big 10 teams as often as possible! So, if you want to get in the action, follow the links below. On your computer, Here is the link to the group If you are on a mobile device, Go here The group name is: SBCVoicesBB. I chose a unique and secure … [Read more...] about An SBC Voices NCAA Tourney Bracket Challenge
Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #4: Faithful Biblical Application is Redemptive If God-centered, exegetically-based, faith-building application is going to prove genuinely biblical, it must be presented in a thoroughly gospel context. Therefore, the final principle of sound biblical application is that biblical application must be redemptive. In the midst of all applying, knowing, and striving the preacher must firmly tether his teaching and his audience to the cross. The work of Christ in securing, revealing, and preserving salvation for his people cannot be … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. While my family and I were standing in line for the Jack Sparrow ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a couple of teenagers in front of us turned around and asked me that question. I responded with the typical, “Well Catholics can be Christians, but they are not synonymous.” Later as I was pondering my response, I became concerned about what I said. Linking the possibility of being a Christian to the Catholic Church may not have been the best idea. Maybe I am the only one who has said … [Read more...] about Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)