SBC Voices

William Dwight McKissic, Sr: The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness – In Defense of Herman Cain

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Editor: William Dwight McKissic, Sr is a voice of conscience for the SBC on race related matters.  This post is one of the more political posts you will see on SBC Voices, but I think that more than politics is at stake here.  I appreciate our brother's contribution. The liberal media, conservative Republicans who support rival candidates and African American civil rights leaders who strongly support the Democratic Party and liberal causes, have unwittingly formed an unholy trinity to defeat and destroy the presidential aspirations of Herman Cain. The purpose of this article is not intended … [Read more...] about William Dwight McKissic, Sr: The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness – In Defense of Herman Cain

What Should a Newtonian Calvinist Say in a Pastoral Interview?

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I have been breaking one of my rules lately.  I have…gulp of shame…been reading far too many comment threads on blogs.  Even worse these blog posts have been about…choking down the shame of broken resolve…Calvinism. While indulging the part of my brain that lacks sound judgment, I have witnessed a common thread.  This thread presents itself as a forceful suggestion that Calvinist’s should be upfront and honest about their Calvinism and intentions of “reforming the church” in the interview process. I figure those that mention this have a couple of different scenarios in their mind.  One … [Read more...] about What Should a Newtonian Calvinist Say in a Pastoral Interview?

Not all Calvinists are Created Equally

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No one likes being stereotyped, but we do it.  Often, we deal in generalities, cause it takes too long to deal with specifics.  We talk about "Baptists" or "Evangelicals" or "Southerners" or "Calvinists" or "Pagans" or "Nebraska Fans" or whatever.  We just make some broad and sweeping generalities and just assume that everyone in that category is the same or similar. The reality with Calvinism, however, is that it's such a broad term it's hard to pin down what that really means.  Instead of defining "Calvinism" I am going to tell you what I think, and you can decide if I fit your view of … [Read more...] about Not all Calvinists are Created Equally

Dr. Mohler’s 2010 Statement on New Calvinism: Not Helpful!

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I am a fan of Dr. Al Mohler! I am glad he is one of our leaders. I am constantly amazed at Dr. Mohler's ability to articulate his positions.  His statement on homosexuality at the SBC Annual Meeting this year was one of the best, most concise and biblical statements of a Christian approach to the subject I've ever heard.  I've seen Dr. Mohler on national programs and always have been impressed at his ability to express unpopular biblical ideas in a persuasive way.  When he speaks, I listen.  And usually I think he hits it out of the park! In a video from 2010 that has recently been … [Read more...] about Dr. Mohler’s 2010 Statement on New Calvinism: Not Helpful!

Theological Discrimination in Kentucky

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After reading Dr. Steve Lemke’s first post on SBC Today about the decision of the Daviess-McLean Baptist Association in Kentucky to not allow Pleasant Valley Community Church to join their association, I began drafting a response. He stated he would post a second time, so I waited until I could read his whole argument. That article is up now, and I’ve since rewritten almost the entire article I’d planned to write. Fully recognizing Dr. Lemke as a brother in Christ, I believe his strong bias against Reformed doctrine has colored his perspective to the point that he’s completely wrong in his … [Read more...] about Theological Discrimination in Kentucky

Is it Hard to Hug a Calvinist?

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Yes, it is sometimes hard to hug a Calvinist.  While I don't mind them embracing a different theology, I often find it hard to get past two key issues: (1) a superior attitude, and (2) a takeover mentality.  Lest I be accused of stereotyping, of lumping and dumping, let me say at the start that while every Calvinist does not fit this mold, so many do that it poisons the pot for everyone else.  Let me briefly illustrate the two offenses before I run for cover. 1.  Superior Attitude The superior attitude suggests that no reasonably thinking Christian scholar, pastor or theologian who takes … [Read more...] about Is it Hard to Hug a Calvinist?

A Day Devoted to Calvinism at SBC Voices!

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Calvinism is never far from the front pages in the Southern Baptist Convention.  It is a crucial topic and one of the hardest to discuss in a calm and productive manner.  On September 15, I published an article saying that any future discussions of Calvinism here would have to be productive, not derisive. That is a hard thing to manage, and more than a few of you will think today that I violated my commitment on the subject. But we cannot be "SBC Voices" without addressing the subject that is at the root of much of the SBC's splintering. So, today we will be talking Calvinism all day - … [Read more...] about A Day Devoted to Calvinism at SBC Voices!

Pick up the phone. Call the cops. (by William Thornton)

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(We'd like to ignore it, but sexual abuse is a reality in every part of society today.  The SBC Plodder's perspective here is good advice.) Some time ago in a deacons' meeting, I was speaking on the subject of sexual abuse of children in churches and our church's policies on the same. The sordid subject was in the news as a result of the Roman Catholic scandals and not a few cases of SBC churches and clergy involved in such things. While we have adopted policies in our church, nothing made the matter more clear to the deacons than when I said, "Here's what we do if someone comes to me with … [Read more...] about Pick up the phone. Call the cops. (by William Thornton)

Is It Hard to Hug an Arminian?

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Something is bothering me. Before I explain what is bothering me—hopefully for your edification and my own—allow me to make a few qualifiers. First, it is very possible that I am assigning motives and issues of the heart that are not really there but only a reflection of my own sinful tendencies. Second, this piece is intended to be a caution to my Reformed/Calvinistic brothers and sisters.  If you do not fit that bill then you can use this piece to look at your own heart as it relates to the “theological camps” that you tend to frequent.  However, this is not to be used as fodder to … [Read more...] about Is It Hard to Hug an Arminian?