Think over your life yesterday. Did you make it through the day because your heart kept beating or because you courageously fought your way through to its end? How about the past month or year? Are you another year older in the Lord because the calendar pages flipped or because 'through many dangers, toils, and snares you have already come'? In the context of the trials, persecutions and signs of the end of the age our Master said, "By your endurance gain your lives" (Luke 21:19, HCSB). We would do well to apply this to ourselves and, in so doing, see how we're doing. We are saved by … [Read more...] about Are You Existing or Enduring?
Why I Am a Credobaptist (or, a theology of believers’ baptism)
Simple answer to this post’s title: Because circumcision is the sign of the covenant for the offspring of Abraham. Now here might be a head-scratcher, because that line sounds quite paedobaptist. Indeed at the root of a good deal of paedobaptism is the idea that an overarching covenant of grace exists, under which all the biblical covenants fall. Therefore the New Covenant (somehow despite Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8, which tell us it is completely different) is basically the same as the Old. According to such Covenant Theology, there is not much core difference between Israel and the … [Read more...] about Why I Am a Credobaptist (or, a theology of believers’ baptism)
The Benefits of Being a Legalist
I have a couple of friends whom I'll call Edna and George. "Friends" might be too strong of a word; "acquaintances for whom I hold mostly affectionate yet mixed feelings" would be better. Let me introduce them to you by telling you some of their flaws. Judgmental. Demanding. Unteachable. Moralizers. Egocentric. Superior. Arrogant. Basically, they really don't seem to make a great first, second, fifth, or tenth impression. For the most part, I think their main issue is one of legalism; they see the world in black and white. They believe with all their hearts that they are … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Being a Legalist
10 Tips for Daily Blogging
I try to write something every day. Some days this is impossible. I have times where writing comes easy. And sometimes writing is difficult. Yesterday, I noted that you need to post something everyday but you also need to be able to do that without being a fool. Here are 10 suggestions to help you post something every day even when you cannot necessarily write something every day. Take advantage of good writing days. When you have a day where your typewriter cannot seem to keep up with your massive brain and awesome writing powers don’t stop the flow. Keep writing and save those … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Daily Blogging
Ravines and Baptists
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