SBC Voices

This is a Christmas meditation from my archives. Enjoy.  Celebration of Christmas at the Miller house officially begun last night.  I put lights on our Christmas tree and the season has begun. I have two strong convictions about the Christmas tree. 1)  The Christmas tree must be real.  For some reason, people get offended when I say this, but "artificial trees are for artificial people."  Why would that offend?  I can't imagine.  But I want Fraser Fur needles dropping on the floor and the smell of pine throughout the house.  So what if it triggers allergies?  Sacrifices have to be … [Read more...] about Attaching Christmas to Its Roots

I was all fired up today about some stupid comments Rob Parker made on ESPN's First Take about Robert Griffin not being "black enough" for his tastes. Really torqued me. Then, I read that a man went into a Connecticut elementary school and killed at least 26 people, at least 18 of whom were children. Kinda puts stupid comments about sports into perspective, doesn't it? Obviously, twitter and Facebook have lit up on the topic - that is what social media are all about. We pronounce our outrage and grief. I do not intend to say much about the Connecticut tragedy - not today anyway. Coverage … [Read more...] about When Tragedy Falls…

William Thornton's recent article has certainly been a discussion starter, hasn't it? This is an article I wrote long ago (in blog years anyway) raising some questions about old-earth and theistic evolutionary viewpoints. I am reposting it here for a very simple reason: I don't have anything else to post and I don't have time to write something!  I made a few edits.  I am assuming here that this is a discussion between those who have the highest view of scripture, who believe that the Bible is God's Word to us without mixture of error and is our absolute guide and rule for all things. … [Read more...] about Some Questions for Old-Earthers and Theistic Evolutionists

Calvinism is on the upswing.  So much so that it made Time Magazines list of 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now.  Calvinism has become a great point of discussion—and even concern—for those within the SBC.  Calvinism is a big deal in the current climate of evangelicalism, whether you are for it or against it. Greg Dutcher, is for it.  Yet, he also warns that Calvinists could easily destroy this good theology from the inside.  In his book, Killing Calvinism, Dutcher gives eight ways that Calvinists can throw on the brakes to this resurgence and kill a perfectly good theology.  Here are … [Read more...] about Review of Killing Calvinism by Greg Dutcher

Well, it's late Fall here on the Grand Prairie. The rice, corn, and soybeans are cut, the combines are clean, and the ducks are coming in. And, of course it's deer season, so it's time for another deer hunting story. (Last year's is here.) Once again, our story opens on the edge of a field. It was corn this year, with rice just to the east, soybeans a little north, and a thin spread of woods to the south. The sun is setting gently, and my cellphone is on "vibrate" with an alarm set for 5:26pm. Why that time? Because the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission prefers that one not hunt deer at … [Read more...] about Same Efforts, Different Results

A federal judge silences the voices of opposition as the American Holocaust continues. Yes, you read that correctly. According to such news sources as CNN and FOX NEWS, after the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 289, which authorized the creation of a pro-life license plate during the 2011 legislative session, a federal judge declared the action unconstitutional. This past Friday, 12-07-2012, U.S. District Court Judge James Fox ruled that a North Carolina legislative action to issue a pro-life license plate is unconstitutional. Judge Fox stated the action of the North … [Read more...] about “. . . AS THE HOLOCAUST CONTINUES” (by CB Scott)

I received this from a Southern Baptist missionary who needs to remain anonymous.  There are folks in our company who believe that you should not have a baby during your first term on the field and/or during language study. There is no penalty if you do; it is simply a recommendation. I suppose some things happened that led people to conclude, either by personal experience or by observation, that having a baby during the first term (typically three years) is not the wisest thing to do.  Here are some reasons I think are behind this recommendation. First, living overseas is stressful. Your … [Read more...] about A Missionary Mother’s Reflection

In my opinion, the following list statements by Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hills Baptist Church in Washington, DC, is chock-full of keen pastoral insight and scriptural balance on a very important and controversial topic. Dever originally presented this list at a Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference on April 9, 2009. I believe it well worth wider distribution and thoughtful discussion. You can also access the audio file of Dever's talk and a Q & A session over this list here (highly recommended).  David Rogers ----------------------------------  35 somewhat overlapping statements as a … [Read more...] about Mark Dever: The Pastor and the Community

Jerry Corbaley blogs at Think the Thoughts. To understand how I am approaching this subject, it is best to read Parts One and Two first. Every person who is born again through Jesus Christ has the right to choose behaviors (like words) that are pleasing to their Heavenly Father. Indeed, factually, the Holy Spirit of God lives in them. The Holy Spirit is their helper, their teacher, their guide. He will empower them to do (speak, write) what is holy. This means that the Christian’s birthright includes Loving Words of Grace. It is my hope that you are receiving my words as the promise … [Read more...] about Loving Words of Grace – Part Three (by Jerry Corbaley)

Years ago I remember working in college ministry.  I was going and running all the time, pushing myself to do The Lord's Work.  Needless to say, I was a little high strung and I was in the process of getting onto another believer for their lack of hyper-enthusiasm.  I remember it as clear as day that a guy I knew well and respected walked past and said "dude, chill out".  I realized at that moment that I was not a picture of grace and peace, instead I was more of the picture of the American work ethic.  At this point, I had to stop and ask myself, did Jesus have the American work ethic, or has … [Read more...] about Dude, Chill Out