Taxonomy is the science or technique of classification. When a body of material becomes large enough, it is helpful to organize it and classify it, not only for listing purposes, but also to provide an easy and fairly thorough source of reference. When I began this project of defining twenty specific reasons to oppose GCB, my purpose was to provide concise, one paragraph explanations in order to clarify, without the use of inflammatory language, the principles undergirding my opposition to GCB. Unless the arguments of GCB opponents could be stated clearly and rationally, I had grown concerned … [Read more...] about Twenty POLITE Reasons to Oppose GCB (Part Three of Four)
Are you pursuing God?
I have a question. Are you pursuing God? I mean really striving after him? That is a question for you whatever your season in life. God’s desire is that we pursue Him and that as a result of that pursuit, we find our joy in Him and Him alone. I’ve been thinking about the different places in life in which several people I know are. Some are facing a time of uncertainty, wondering how the present circumstance they are in will turn out. Some are in a time of suffering, going through a difficult situation because of physical or relational crisis. Some are in a time of transition, seeking God’s … [Read more...] about Are you pursuing God?
The Lord’s Prayer, part 1: Introduction and Commandments about Prayer
Recently, I put together a study for my church covering the Lord’s Prayer. It is something we will we doing this spring at Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study. I figure if we’re going to have prayer meeting, it is probably good to talk about prayer! This is the introduction and part one… Introduction In Scripture, we have two accounts of Jesus teaching what we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” The first, and most well-known, we find in Matthew 6 where Jesus taught on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount. The second, Luke recorded in 11:1-4 of his Gospel. Luke tells us Jesus was … [Read more...] about The Lord’s Prayer, part 1: Introduction and Commandments about Prayer
Pastors Conference Shout Out
Just when I thought I was a stranger in my own denomination, Dr. Grant Ethridge invites a list of actual Southern Baptist Pastors to preach at the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference. This list is certainly not complete, and I'm sure there are likely to be a few outsiders invited to the party, but it's pretty hard to go wrong with David Jeremiah, David Platt, Fred Luter, Johnny Hunt and Jack Graham. A year ago, we were embroiled in a bit of controversy over this conference. I suppose there is still time for that to develop, depending on the remaining speakers. But so far, from my … [Read more...] about Pastors Conference Shout Out
Commune periculum concordiam parit.
Lest I violate 1 Corinthians 14, the title means this: Common danger brings forth harmony. This was the "use that word in a sentence" example from the Latin Word of the Day email I got a few weeks ago. I would actually consider having this tattooed on someone else, because it's just a great statement. So if you'd volunteer for that, email me. I would like to give you a few thoughts on this phrase, commune periculum concordiam parit.Especially as it applies to the Great Commission Baptists of the Southern Baptist Convention. I. First, let's look at the word harmony. Harmony is a great … [Read more...] about Commune periculum concordiam parit.
A Bridge Between Night and Day
In the soft moonlight of midnight, shadows dancing against the baby-blue wall of the nursery from a cottonwood tree moving gently in the nighttime breeze, it is party time. The baby is awake and searching for his toes, his pacifier, his blanket, his mommy or his daddy. He is ready for his day to begin; he wants to explore. Yes . . . in the soft moonlight of midnight. Smiling, cooing, laughing. In the first 10 years of our marriage, Lisa and I had five babies: four boys and then, a daughter. It was common among them to go through a period when they would have their nights and days … [Read more...] about A Bridge Between Night and Day
The Cancer of the SBC
As I spend time in the SBC, at meetings and conventions and gatherings, I have noticed a trend. We are getting to be a negative, pessimistic and critical group of people. We grumble and gripe and complain and whine and pick and poke. We criticize each other, we criticize churches and pastors and theologies and books and teachers and leaders. We point out where everyone else falls short, where everyone else is wrong and how we are doing it better. Sunday School guys don't like the Small Group guys, Small Group guys don't think Sunday School works anymore. The home church guys don't like … [Read more...] about The Cancer of the SBC
Forget Calvinism and name changes… let’s talk about something really important!
In case you have missed a part of the social media bandwagon, pictures of brooms standing on end have been appearing all over the place. Even saw a Christian message board go nuts at the phenomena—it must be a sign of something. Popular explanation—Jupiter, Venus, and Earth are all in some sort of crazy gravitational alignment. My church custodian and I would like to see your broom, and raise you four brooms, a dust mop, and a dustpan: Is it nary but a sign of the closing of the age? Brooms standing on end, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria! With this harbinger, I have … [Read more...] about Forget Calvinism and name changes… let’s talk about something really important!
“Calvinism” — Breakdowns in Communication
In our ongoing discussions of important issues, one perennial problem is breakdown in communication. An issue where this problem seems to occur often is in our discussions about Calvinism. Just what do we mean when we use the term “Calvinist”? Because the term is used in a variety of ways we often fail to communicate and misunderstanding occurs. Unfortunately, such misunderstanding too often leads to unnecessary division and offense. For positive dialogue on this or any issue, both the speaker and the hearer have a responsibility to strive for understanding. The speaker must communicate … [Read more...] about “Calvinism” — Breakdowns in Communication
Examining “The Gospel Project” – Webcast, March 14, 2 PM CST
There has certainly been a wide divergence of opinion about the LifeWay Sunday School curriculum, "The Gospel Project." The Gospel Project identifies itself as a " Christ-centered curriculum that examines the grand narrative of Scripture and how the gospel transforms the lives of those it touches." In a three-year plan of study, the curriculum traces the gospel story from Genesis to Revelation, attempting to do more than just present unrelated moral stories, but to weave them all together to explain the gospel, the theological underpinnings of the gospel and the missional life to which … [Read more...] about Examining “The Gospel Project” – Webcast, March 14, 2 PM CST