One day, I was walking through the woods near a ravine, and I heard someone calling for help. I went over to the ravine, and saw that the rope bridge had fallen in, and that one rope was all that was holding the remains from plummeting into the river. I saw a man desperately clinging to the remains of the bridge, screaming for help. I also noticed that he was wearing a shirt that said "Lottie Moon is my hero!", so I called out to him "Do you need help? It looks difficult, but I could never let a Baptist brother fall into the ravine!" He responded "Certainly! And yes, I am a Southern … [Read more...] about Ravines and Baptists
The Summer of the Bully in the Barn
He is jealous for me Loves like a hurricane I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy When all of a sudden I am unaware of these Afflictions eclipsed by glory And I realize just how beautiful you are and How great Your affections are for me -- John Mark MacMillan Summer is upon us again. Hurricanes and thunderstorms, sleeping late and stargazing, sunburns and swimming pools, watermelon and homemade ice cream, lazy days where sameness feels like security and days that change us forever, slipping in beneath the haze of heat to catch us … [Read more...] about The Summer of the Bully in the Barn
Toward Forging a New SBC Majority
I have been attending a Southern Baptist church since nine months before I was born. I have never been a member of a church that was not Southern Baptist, nor attended a non-SBC church on a regular basis. I am a Southern Baptist preacher's kid, and my parents served as SBC missionaries for one term while I was growing up. I was educated at an SBC-affiliated college and graduated from Southwestern Seminary. I am pretty much Baptist born and Baptist bred. And I have always assumed that I would serve out my years as a pastor of a Southern Baptist church. That is still my hope and goal. I … [Read more...] about Toward Forging a New SBC Majority
The (Almost) True Story of the Clark Family (by Chris Roberts)
Once upon a time, a young man named Sam Clark went off to college. While there, he met a young lady named Betty and they were soon married. By the generous grace of God, Sam and Betty Clark had many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, generation after generation of offspring and their numbers continued to grow. As their numbers increased, their geographic spread grew greater and soon you could find members of the Clark family all over the world. With so many people in the family of Sam and Betty Clark, it comes as no surprise that they didn’t all agree on everything. But one … [Read more...] about The (Almost) True Story of the Clark Family (by Chris Roberts)
Why I Ain’t Signing Anything Anymore
Before anyone asks, I live where "Mind your grammar" means "Obey the Ma of your Pa" so leave me alone on the "ain't." :) Back in 2009, I heard of a nifty little effort to get Southern Baptists from across the board to digitally sign on to a call for us to re-examine our denominational structures in an effort to stop the embarrassing problem of more missionaries than we have money. I read through the statements given, took them at face value, and then gladly attached my name to the call for a Great Commission Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. The following summer, I even voted … [Read more...] about Why I Ain’t Signing Anything Anymore
Regeneration: I Stand with the BF&M
What is regeneration (being born again)? Although the Baptist Faith & Message defines this word, a new doctrinal statement, A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation (“Statement”), has taken a very different understanding. Here’s the relevant section of the BF&M: Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus … [Read more...] about Regeneration: I Stand with the BF&M
STOP IT! A Plea for Grownup Conversation in the SBC
The problem in the SBC is not primarily theological. I believe our theological issues and discussions mask a deeper spiritual problem, a heart problem that is demonstrated in abundance as we speak to one another. We all say we can live together and walk in unity, united around the BF&M, our sound and simple doctrinal statement to which all involved in this debate subscribe. Dr. Mohler, in his recent response to the traditionalist document, pointed out that we should be glad we are discussing something like the theology of salvation. We are not arguing over whether the Bible is true or … [Read more...] about STOP IT! A Plea for Grownup Conversation in the SBC
Past Tense Sacrifice, Present Tense Service
However, the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God which cost me nothing." (2Sa 24:24 NAS) A few weeks ago, I attended a conference where I was one of the speakers. At the end of the meeting, an old friend came up and stood by my side as he extolled my wonderful character and devotion to mission work. As usual, he came to the issue of sacrifice. “Jeremy and his family have sacrificed all in order to serve the Lord as missionaries. They have set aside so many of their own wants in order to go … [Read more...] about Past Tense Sacrifice, Present Tense Service
Unity in the SBC by David Schrock
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37). Israel, what a land! Full of beauty. And full of violence. Whether you are reading the Old Testament, the New Testament, or Haaretz, the daily news source of Israel, you will find both—beauty, violence, and the mysterious love of God. In 2005, when I went with a group of Southern Seminary students on an evangelism trip to Northern Israel, this was my … [Read more...] about Unity in the SBC by David Schrock
The Traditional Southern Baptist (by Drew Wales)
Drew Wales blogs at SBC Heritage Last week, a document was released that generated so much traffic websites crashed. I disagree with many points in the document and I have seen some very well crafted responses to the errors and misrepresentations contained in the document. Eric Hankins’ document does not get to the heart of what it means to be a “traditional” Southern Baptist. The theological position in the document is nothing new so there was little concern on my part with positions brought forward, but I am concerned with the divisive nature of the document. Here is why I disagree with … [Read more...] about The Traditional Southern Baptist (by Drew Wales)