SBC Voices

We look back at those who founded the Southern Baptist and those who followed after with honor, even veneration at times.  We fight over their heritage (were they Calvinists or not).  They were men (and women too) of theological depth, evangelistic passion and exemplary character. And they either participated in or turned a blind eye to slavery, racism and discrimination. How could these great men not see the evil of their treatment of people whose skin had a different hue?  How could they be so blind? How could they love Jesus while accepting cruelty to people Jesus loved? We can … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Convention: A Testimony of Grace?

Some memes just never get old.   … [Read more...] about A Meme, A Kerfuffle, and Mitt

The extent to which the Southern Baptist Convention is being Calvinized is a subject of considerable debate. A Baptist Press article in 2007 compared a 2006 Lifeway Study claiming 10% of Southern Baptist Pastors were Five Point Calvinists with a 2007 NAMB New Minister study claiming that nearly 30% of recent seminary graduates were Five Point Calvinists. Although a 2010 Barna study seems to contradict this idea of a growing Calvinism, most observers of SBC life accept the prevailing view that a New Calvinism is being embraced, especially at Southern and Southeastern Seminaries. A problem … [Read more...] about We Can Work It Out!

On Sunday, March 18, I received an email from William Birch, an up-and-coming Baptist blogger who was part of our "Blue Collar Blog Madness" contest, requesting that he be removed from the contest because of immorality that had taken place. He was non-specific.  Then, of course, the news broke out that Billy had been arrested for sexual assault on a fellow student at SEBTS. The blogosphere lit up over the next week or so. It was at that moment that some in the Baptist blog world showed its down side. One blogger speculated blindly that William might have drugged the victim to commit … [Read more...] about An Update on William Birch

That small sliver of the known universe who keeps tabs on things related to the Southern Baptist Convention cannot have missed the continual rancor over theology. More specifically, to what extent the theological system known as "Calvinism" and the wider system known as "Reformed theology" should have influence in the conventions entities and churches. An oft spoken mantra with SBC blogs is, "If you want to drive up the hit count write something about Calvinism." And, aside from the occasional Mark Driscoll drive-by, this holds true. With all things Internet related our sense of scope and … [Read more...] about 10 things more important for the SBC than the Calvinism debate

I have had some trouble lately with some pain. It's been a little random through my chest and abdominal area, often a stabbing pain, sometimes a burning feeling, but ever pleasant. I have had tests and labs and appointments to try to find out what the issue is. They are beginning to suspect I have an ulcer or maybe a couple of ulcers in my stomach and esophagus. Last year I had some surgery on my stomach and esophagus to repair a problem, and it seems to have ulcers in the same area. What I have discovered which this and my other stomach and esophageal issues is, when you mess up part of the … [Read more...] about The Body or Not?

The good ship SBC was cruising toward NOLA with excitement - our cruise would be marked by progress in racial reconciliation.  Can you remember a year when there was less drama about the presidency when the office was being vacated? Fred Luter will be unopposed, at least by any serious candidate.  It will be historic, encouraging, a move in the right direction. We were chugging along with eyes bright and heads high. Then, suddenly, the good ship SBC hit a rocky shoal when Richard Land decided that it was a good idea for the head of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to step … [Read more...] about Race, Reconciliation and the 2012 SBC Annual Meeting

A desperate Charles Spurgeon went hopping from church to church to come to understand how he must be saved.  But instead as he tells it: One man preached Divine sovereignty, but what was that sublime truth to a poor sinner who wished to know what he must do to be saved.  There was another admirable man who always preached about the law, but what was the use of plowing up ground that needed to be sown.  Another was a practical preacher…but it was very much like a commanding officer teaching the maneuvers to a set of men without feet…what I wanted to know was, ‘How can I get my sins forgiven?’ … [Read more...] about They Never Told Me That…

There has been a lot of talk about sex lately thanks to Mark Driscoll.  I actually like Driscoll, I think he says some good things, but there things he says that stir up controversy.  I just ignore those things myself.  Back to the point, there has been lots of talk about this book he wrote on sex.  I think it's a great thing, I have several books on intimacy that I have acquired at conferences and things.  Driscoll didn't say anything out of the ordinary, many books state very similar things.  We just got all up in arms because it's Mark, and he's said bad words and said he has visions (which … [Read more...] about Just Love your Wife