SBC Voices

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

In 1952, a New York pastor named Norman Vincent Peale penned a book that has influenced generations that followed, called, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Many of his thoughts and ideas were picked up by Robert Schuller, who repackaged them as “Possibility Thinking,” and built a religious empire from them. These ideas, once seen as counter to the gospel, have now become mainstream, even in evangelical, supposedly Bible-believing Christianity. Christianity has been completely redefined, deemphasizing sin and lostness and separation from God and replacing it with a man-centered, … [Read more...] about The Power of Negative Thinking

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” Romans 12:18 The other day, I posted an article that was mostly a quote from John Newton on the necessity of living at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ though we have theological differences.  It’s a really tremendous article that you should read.  I can say that because my words are only those of introduction, Newton is the one that drops the gospel bombs. As I was reflecting on Newton’s words, and even more the words of the apostle, my “but” voice reared its ugly head. But certainly there is a place for … [Read more...] about How Our “But” Keeps Us From Obedience

William Thornton is the SBC Plodder. Among the things I’d like to see before I die is a climate where Christians can have reasonable, informed, civil, and illuminating conversations about evolution and creation without all the unreasonable, uninformed, uncivil, and obfuscating clutter that seems to accompany such things. Allow me to recount a sample, fictional conversation:   Evolutionist:  I don’t have all the answers but I join most scientists in a belief in evolution as the explanation for much of what we see today. Conservative Christian: You are an idiot. Darwin was … [Read more...] about Why All These Uncivil Christians? (by William Thornton)