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!
The Exchange, Ed Stetzer: The Story of Scripture – with Trevin Wax and George Guthrie 2PM (CDT) Today
If you have time at 2 PM today (Central Daylight Time), "The Exchange" will be featuring a discussion with Ed, Trevin Wax and George Guthrie concerning the "Story of Scripture." Go to Ed Stetzer's blog to watch the webcast live. Should be well worth your time. While you are at it, pray for Ed's seven year old daughter Kaitlyn who has been very sick and in the hospital! … [Read more...] about The Exchange, Ed Stetzer: The Story of Scripture – with Trevin Wax and George Guthrie 2PM (CDT) Today
Depression, Joy, and “Preaching the Gospel to Myself”
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away! ~ Isaiah 51:11 A bit of a warning: I think this post is as much me trying to work through things as it is try and edify others. I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately—emailed Dave and told him I was taking a break from writing blog posts and commenting. Didn’t think I’d be back this soon, but lo-and-behold, I get caught up in a comment stream…so I figured I might as well write. I have a calendar with … [Read more...] about Depression, Joy, and “Preaching the Gospel to Myself”
One notable, relevant thing about Fred Luter (by William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder is back with his insights into all things SBC. We always welcome and appreciate his thoughts. Thank you, William! Fred Luter (image from BP) is expected to be elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention in just a few weeks in New Orleans. If I am there (and it's not looking like I will be) I would be unhesitant in casting my vote in his favor. His election will be notable because he will be the first black president of the SBC. That's good. But there is something more notable about Fred Luter that is acutely relevant to the SBC. He is a megachurch pastor and … [Read more...] about One notable, relevant thing about Fred Luter (by William Thornton)
The Danger of Assuming
“Dear, can you find my face-wash? It’s in a small bottle with a fuchsia colored lid on the dresser,” my wife lovingly requests. I hurriedly look through a conglomeration of numerous bottles that I am totally unfamiliar with. I am only vaguely familiar with fuchsia. I know it isn’t blue, so I quickly eliminate everything in the blue family. Same goes with white, black, and maybe green and yellow. I think it’s in the purple or red family. So now I’m looking for something in a small bottle---quickly giving up hope. “I don’t see it in here,” I shout back at her—not a mad shout, mind you, … [Read more...] about The Danger of Assuming
Christian Islands, Part 1
“No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” John Donne Let me tell you about my preacher friend, Edwin. He’s been struggling personally since his wife left him. He made some mistakes along the way, I suppose. Allegations. Investigations. … [Read more...] about Christian Islands, Part 1
You Make the Call: Proof We Should Adopt “GCB”?
Do you believe in signs? Just as we are getting ready to head to NOLA for the SBC, at which the "Great Commission Baptist" moniker will be on the docket, an amazing event has taken place. ABC has cancelled that piece of putrid filth known as "GCB", or "Good Christian Belles" or whatever it used to be! Could this be a sign from above, a sort of imprimatur on the name-change? After all, several people argued that the presence of the GCB show should prevent us from using Great Commission Baptists as our moniker. So, is this not a clear message that we should adopt the name? Am I … [Read more...] about You Make the Call: Proof We Should Adopt “GCB”?
The “Ask Jesus into Your Heart” Debate
It is raging. I've been travelling so much and only keeping up with blogging by phone, but I've seen the Steve Gaines video all over the internet. Bart Barber has posted the two videos I copied below and gave an interesting analysis of the topic, comparing the Sinner's Prayer to a wedding vow - both can be either a real commitment or just the recitation of empty words. I thought this might be a good Sunday discussion here at Voices. So, here are two divergent youtube videos - one by David Platt and one by Steve Gaines. Now, here is Steve Gaines. Here's my two … [Read more...] about The “Ask Jesus into Your Heart” Debate
Our Enemy is Neither Calvinism nor Arminianism, but Polarization (By Ken Hamrick)
Editor: Ken Hamrick blogs at "Biblical Realist" and lives in Ohio. I appreciate Ken' submission of this post. I fully agree that we have to realize the dangers of splintering and polarization. The quiet majority is being ignored whenever the more vocal proponents of either extreme frame the argument with the assumption that there is no valid, substantial and established middle path. As Southern Baptists, we have never been fully Calvinist or Arminian. If we had been fully Calvinist, we would have been "Reformed Baptist," with a heavy emphasis on covenants, Calvinism and creedal standards. … [Read more...] about Our Enemy is Neither Calvinism nor Arminianism, but Polarization (By Ken Hamrick)
President Obama Takes Brokenness to the Bank
“This is something that, you know, we’ve talked about over the years and she, (Michelle) you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do. And that is that, in the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people and, I, you know, we are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others.” -- President Barack Obama , announcing his personal support, as a Christian, for the legalization of gay marriage. "God is the author of marriage, and we will not let … [Read more...] about President Obama Takes Brokenness to the Bank