The SBC Plodder usually cuts through the fog and does so here. I am reticent about Calvinism-related topics, but this one seemed newsworthy and worthwhile. Thank you, William. Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preached a chapel message on October 16th to address what he called a "faulty and jaundiced view of who we [SEBTS] are." SEBTS: What will be our reputation? The message was on the wonderful little book tucked away towards the end of the New Testament, 3 John. Akin said that "in recent days there are those who either ignorantly or maliciously … [Read more...] about Southeastern will be a Calvinist seminary over Danny Akin’s dead body (by William Thornton)
Will We Gain the White House and Lose Our Souls?
Let me start off by making two statements, just to clarify. I want to see a new occupant in the White House in 2013, in the worst way. I think Barack Obama's policies are dangerous and destructive to the future of America. I don't have a huge problem voting for a Mormon to be the next president. Romney was not my first choice (Tim Pawlenty), my second choice (Herman Cain) or my third choice (Rick Santorum - for whom I caucused). His false religion was a part of my desire to find another candidate. But when he became the nominee, I made peace with that. So, I am a conservative … [Read more...] about Will We Gain the White House and Lose Our Souls?
You Might Be a Tongues-Speaker, If…
Back in August, Mike Leake (one of our contributors here) wrote a three-part series on his own blog about the pros and cons of spiritual gift testing (I link here to the third part, as it has its own links to the first two). One thing he mentioned that hit me with one of those “well, duh, why didn’t you ever think of it that way” moments, was the fact that when Paul wrote his letters to the churches of Corinth and Rome (the two letters where we find the most significant spiritual gifts listings), he wrote to two different churches in two different situations. That sounds straightforward … [Read more...] about You Might Be a Tongues-Speaker, If…
A View of Rome
As anyone who has followed what I have written on blogs in the past six years or so will be aware, an issue about which I am very interested and concerned is that of a biblical approach to Christian unity. One of the most important and thorniest aspects of Christian unity, in my opinion, has to do with how we as Evangelicals (and as Baptists) should relate to Roman Catholics and to the Roman Catholic Church at large. Having served for 18 years as a missionary in Spain, a country which traditionally has had an overwhelming Catholic majority but which in recent years has become increasingly … [Read more...] about A View of Rome
Whither “Prayer Meeting?”
It wasn't that long ago that Baptist churches were marked by five key services a week - Sunday School, Morning Worship, Training Union, Evening Worship and Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. Training union was the first to enter the endangered species list, and Sunday night worship is not far behind. I would guess that Sunday night worship is now held at a minority of Baptist churches, but I've not seen statistical evidence on that. Certainly, it is true in Iowa. Wednesday night prayer meeting may be the next on that list. I am just wondering, as a discussion question, what you do at your … [Read more...] about Whither “Prayer Meeting?”
How Much Discipleship Ought We Do BEFORE Baptism?
If you have been in ministry any length of time, you could compile a list for me of people who have offered themselves for baptism, seemed to know all the right answers and evidenced a strong profession of faith. Then, after the baptism, the faith that flamed fizzles fast. Where are they now? Who knows? It is an all-too-common story. And any genuine minister of the gospel is bothered by that story. Did I fail to examine the candidate for baptism well enough? Should I have done something more? Something different? One human and understandable response to this unfortunate story is for … [Read more...] about How Much Discipleship Ought We Do BEFORE Baptism?
From MBTS: An Introductory Video about Jason Allen
Scott Gordon mentioned this video in the comments. But I thought you might like to see it. It shows a little bit about who he is and how he came to be selected by the Search Team. … [Read more...] about From MBTS: An Introductory Video about Jason Allen
Two Lists Worth Reading
I perused two blog posts today - both were lists. Both were worth reading and devoting some time to. The first was from Ron Edmondson and the post was called "7 of my biggest frustrations as a leader." He mentioned pettiness, selfishness, rudeness, narrow-mindedness, stubbornness, unforgiveness and recklessness. These are also evident in large supply in the blogging world (as are just about every form of fleshly behavior). But what is most chilling is how often I see them in me. But the prize for "he stopped preaching and started meddling" goes to Joe Thorn, who wrote, "25 Marks of … [Read more...] about Two Lists Worth Reading
Doing Funerals without Burying the Truth
I have the unique opportunity, when I preside at a funeral, to do genuine, powerful and evangelistic ministry. It is also a time in which I can be tempted to compromise truth, to curry favor with people instead of God, to unintentionally promote heresy and squander this unique opportunity. One Sunday afternoon a while back I sat at my desk working on my evening sermon when the phone rang. One of our members had finally succumbed after a six month battle with brain cancer. I headed outside into the dreary Iowa dusk to go and visit with this family for a few brief moments. As I drove … [Read more...] about Doing Funerals without Burying the Truth
What are “GRACE Cards”?
One of our evangelism strategies as a church is to use “GRACE” cards. “What is a GRACE card”, you ask? I’m glad you asked. Let me explain. The concept behind a GRACE card is to bless our community. Really the concept is to put words behind random acts of kindness. Our church family is encouraged to take a GRACE card and to bless somebody throughout the week. It can be as simple as buying a book of stamps or leaving quarters in a laundry machine. Some like to purchase meals for the people behind them at a fast-food chain. When you do this you simply leave a GRACE card. A GRACE … [Read more...] about What are “GRACE Cards”?