The SBC Plodder cuts through the chatter and gets to the heart of things! Our North American Mission Board has endured considerable criticism for supporting church plants that also have a relationship with some church planting network. We are regularly treated to considerable, breathless, blogging acrimony alleging all manner of things about NAMB and other church planting networks. No matter that there have been few concrete examples offered of such things. But then facts usually don't slow down bloggers from displaying a good dose of denominational indignation. NAMB has consistently … [Read more...] about NAMB trustees adopt church planting network guidelines (by William Thornton)
The Gospel According to The Avengers
Here is the cast: Nick Fury is Jesus - The consummate leader, always leading with perfect intentions and precise calculations. Captain America is Christians - The one with upright character and unmatched integrity. (Let's pretend that Christians exemplify this regularly.) Hammer of Thor is Scripture - An other-worldly power, unstoppable when in the right hands. Iron Man is Pride - He is the walking example of pride - self-centered, arrogant, boastful. (Forget that he totally sacrifices in the end... that hurts my point ;-) ) The Hulk is Young Calvinist - Well-meaning but … [Read more...] about The Gospel According to The Avengers
“One Woman Man” – Examining Bart Barber’s Univira Concept
NOTE: I have just released a book which compiles (and edits and expands) these posts. It is called "Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry." It is available on Amazon.com. The Kindle version will be released in the next couple of days - not sure what the hold-up is there. This book reviews the biblical evidence on divorce and remarriage, beginning with the cornerstone in the Old Testament - the twin principles of God's intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman and the understanding of the brokenness caused by sin. It then lays the … [Read more...] about “One Woman Man” – Examining Bart Barber’s Univira Concept
A Calvinist Anthem
Though it’s quieted down a lot regarding Lifeway’s The Gospel Project, I thought I’d stoke the fires again. All the concerns about how some subtle Calvinistic influence will confuse church members and cause frustration and discord in otherwise non-Calvinist Baptist churches because of this material are a little melodramatic. After all, I’m quite confident that every one of those non-Calvinist Baptist churches has used one Calvinist work for years without complaining about its influence before. And no, I’m not talking about Romans 9 and Ephesians 1. ;-) I’m talking about a very Calvinist … [Read more...] about A Calvinist Anthem
A Plea for Sanity…and Unity
At another blog there is a post up about a church that is hurting. And let me preface everything else to come by saying: a hurting church anywhere is a cause for all of us to weep. This church is in pain because of the specter of disunity and division. We should take the words of our Lord to heart from John 17:23, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” If we truly believe what Jesus says, then we truly believe that disunity and factions in church are ultimately a hindrance to the spread … [Read more...] about A Plea for Sanity…and Unity
Pray for Kaitlyn Stetzer!
Ed Stetzer's 7-year-old daughter is hospitalized with serious but as yet unidentified illness. Please pray for her and for the Stetzer family. Ed is updating his site, so you can go there for the latest information. … [Read more...] about Pray for Kaitlyn Stetzer!
A Great Help for Bloggers, from Martin Luther
I saw a link to this today and thought that it was an amazing asset for bloggers. It is a listing of graphic insults from Martin Luther's writings. I do not know who compiled this list, but this is a great boon for us. Instead of making up our own insults, we can just generate one from Luther himself! Here is the link: The Lutheran Insulter This does tell us that the kind of interaction we often bemoan in blogging is not new at all! Here are a few choice entries: You are like mouse-dropping in the pepper. You are worthy only to be mocked by the words of error. You do … [Read more...] about A Great Help for Bloggers, from Martin Luther
Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Am I Sowing Discord?
A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing. There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among … [Read more...] about Proverbs for Christian Blogging: Am I Sowing Discord?
Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry: What is a “Husband of One Wife?”
NOTE: I have just released a book which compiles (and edits and expands) these posts. It is called "Disqualified? What the Bible Says about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry." It is available on Amazon.com. The Kindle version will be released in the next couple of days - not sure what the hold-up is there. This book reviews the biblical evidence on divorce and remarriage, beginning with the cornerstone in the Old Testament - the twin principles of God's intent of marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman and the understanding of the brokenness caused by sin. It then lays the … [Read more...] about Divorce, Remarriage and Ministry: What is a “Husband of One Wife?”
Oh The Humanity!
An unborn child is considered a human being for White House security purposes but a mere product of conception for abortion purposes. Would it be too much to ask for a little consistency here? http://bit.ly/JtjCYf … [Read more...] about Oh The Humanity!