Today we have a guest post by William Birch, which was originally posted on his site. This article is a response to Gerald Harris's recent article "The Calvinists are Here." If you comment, please comment in a similar manner as Birch's article. After all, in Birch's words, "We are on the same team, people!" Every now and again I am accused of misrepresenting Calvinism by a Calvinist brother. It often happens when I focus upon what I perceive to be certain implications of Calvinism rather than what Calvinists actually claim or believe. When I do so, the Calvinist is right to correct me; I … [Read more...] about The Calvinists Have Been Here . . . by William Birch
Phil Roberts Has Resigned at Midwestern Seminary
Few details have been revealed and perhaps that is best. But Phil Robert's 11 year tenure at MWBTS is done. Baptist Press reports two sources of questioning and conflict between Roberts and the Board of Trustees. First, there have been some questions about how seminary resources have been used. Strangely, the second reason is one of the same that was invoked when Dr. Mark Coppenger was released from the seminary - verbal abuse of seminary staff. I have no specifics of these charges, just the fact that Baptist Press is reporting these as issues. It's a sad day for Midwestern Baptist … [Read more...] about Phil Roberts Has Resigned at Midwestern Seminary
A Black President for the SBC
Recently, Dr. Fred Luter made the much anticipated announcement that he would allow himself to be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. With this announcement, Luter is poised to become the first African American to head our denomination. The day Southern Baptists elect our first black SBC president will be an important moment for the history and future of our Convention. The election of an African American president will be a capstone for a series of strong statements of our Convention about our attitude toward race and our understanding of the gospel’s implications … [Read more...] about A Black President for the SBC
When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t So Friendly (by Joel Rainey)
This was originally publish at Joel Rainey's blog "Themelios." I appreciate his willingness to share it with us. About 13 years ago, Pastor Trey Rhodes was sitting in a meeting of other pastors who were considering the sponsorship of a new church. The local Baptist Association had called this meeting to discuss "concerns" that several of the pastors had relative to this new church proposal. Church planting wasn't nearly as "cool" back then as it is now, and in fact was held in high suspicion in several segments of my denomination. In particular, these guys were concerned about the theology, … [Read more...] about When “Friendly Fire” Isn’t So Friendly (by Joel Rainey)
The Mordecai Dilemma
Here’s a little exercise in advanced level hermeneutics for some of you theological thinkers out there. I came across this passage the other day, and although I have read it various times in the past, the implications of what it said struck me like never before, and quite frankly, left me a bit perplexed. The passage, in case you want to know right up front, is Esther chapters 9 and 10, though I want to set the stage a bit before diving into it. In order to help you understand what it is about this passage that causes me such consternation, let me go over a few of my interpretational … [Read more...] about The Mordecai Dilemma
I’m Furious at Ed Stetzer! (Well, Sort of…)
I was working on a post this morning, and then Ed went and posted an article at Between the Times that said what I was trying to say, but did it so much better. Sometimes I hate that guy - saying it first and saying it better! His post is called "The Baptist Bogeyman." I encourage you to read it. However, the fact that someone else has already said it (and perhaps better than I could) never stops a blogger from saying it again, right? So, I put my other article on hold and I want to make some observations about what the Rev. Dr Stetzer said. We have had a parade of bogeymen in the … [Read more...] about I’m Furious at Ed Stetzer! (Well, Sort of…)
Reflections on my first journey out of the states, and the return home…
It only took 31 ½ years to make my first journey out of the country and my first missions trip outside of the boarders of these United States. I know many here have made trips before, and some even presently live in other countries as they serve the Lord. But the personal newness of the experience still compels me to write! I took a two-week trip to Zambia in southern Africa to work as a teacher at the International Bible College operated by Gospelink. We were able to go into some of the local villages and attempt to share the Gospel, but this was mostly missions in the vein of Acts … [Read more...] about Reflections on my first journey out of the states, and the return home…
The Life We Can’t Erase
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5 I wish -- though I don't believe in wishes -- that I could take a number two pencil and write down on a blue-lined piece of three-hole-punched notebook paper the moments of my life, label it "draft," study it a bit, and then turn the pencil around to the pink side -- the eraser -- and smudge away forever a line here and there . . . many lines, major smudges. Study it a bit more, swipe away with my hand the little black rubber crumbles, dirty from the mix of pink eraser and pencil lead, onto the … [Read more...] about The Life We Can’t Erase
“Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” by William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. A KINGDOM RESPONSE TO THE ELEPHANT ROOM II Featuring Pastor James MacDonald and Bishop T.D. Jakes The late Rev. Vernon Johns made a lighthearted, yet loaded comment regarding engaging in ecclesiastical and civic controversy that I believe is applicable to The Elephant Room II controversy. The Johns comment: “If you see a good fight, get in it.” There are significant, substantive, and scriptural issues yet being debated in the aftermath of The Elephant Room that I feel compelled to address in light of Rev. Johns’ admonition … [Read more...] about “Fighting the Good Fight of Faith” by William Dwight McKissic, Sr.
The Gospel Project: An Interview with Trevin Wax
It is a privilege to talk today with Trevin Wax, the Managing Editor of “The Gospel Project”, a new Sunday School curriculum from LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC. He has agreed to answer a few questions about The Gospel Project for the readers of SBC Voices. (I think you could probably figure this out, but my questions are in bold and Trevin's answers are in normal print.) Trevin, welcome to SBC Voices. Tell us about beginnings of The Gospel Project. How did it come to be? Thanks for the invitation, Dave. The Gospel Project is LifeWay’s response to churches asking for a … [Read more...] about The Gospel Project: An Interview with Trevin Wax