SBC Voices

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?

Is it too small a thing?

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I have a really good introduction for this article.  I tell you a really funny story about a toy, gadget, etc. that I really wanted because I knew that it would solve all of my problems.  It was one of those things that I absolutely had to have. In this really good introduction I explain how I worked hard to get this new toy/gadget; either through actually working or “working” the way that jobless kids do--by figuring out how to manufacture the right balance of enough, tears, whining, and solid behavior to merit such an awesome gift. I continue in this super amazing introduction for a … [Read more...] about Is it too small a thing?

Don’t Tell Amy Carmichael

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This post first appeared on my blog ThrowAwayEverything but I thought you might enjoy it also. -AR Yesterday the British paper The Daily Mail published a story about a California doctor who announced he has a LASIK-like laser eye machine that can be used to permanently turn brown eyes blue. There are many people in heaven who are praising God that such technology did not exist in Amy Carmichael's day. Amy grew up in Northern Ireland in the late 1860s and '70s. She was a beautiful girl with dark hair and brown eyes. All her young life all she really wanted though were blue eyes. Her … [Read more...] about Don’t Tell Amy Carmichael

How Many Bags, Mr. Missionary?

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Travel, as any missionary will tell you, is a key part of life.  My sister says that travel is what makes my life complicated.  To hear her tell it, it takes a 45 minute drive to the airport, two flights with a layover, 30 minutes in a taxi, a bus ride, and short jaunt by donkey just to get to my house.  My response is that there are no donkeys involved and that once you arrive at our house life is pretty normal, assuming you consider gutting your own chickens to be normal.  Of course, I could point out she is being egocentric and we could say that in fact it takes all those things just to get … [Read more...] about How Many Bags, Mr. Missionary?

Latest Research Backs up Bible about Booze (by David Worley)

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(David Worley, "Volfan007" is a frequent commenter here and sent me this today.  I know this is a hot-button topic and David never shades his views on things! But this is new information about a new study, so here it is.  I'm guessing this should be a lively discussion.  It is absolutely important that we not ridicule David for his silly position - I'm talking about the support of the Tennessee Volunteers, of course.) I don't know if yall have heard the latest study about alcohol, or not; but it's not very conducive to the moderationists position. Only the tee-totallers will rejoice in this … [Read more...] about Latest Research Backs up Bible about Booze (by David Worley)

Trevin Wax’s Insights on the SBC Name Change

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Is anyone tired of the discussion of the name change for the SBC? I am often amused by comments in which people express weariness of the discussions of certain topics.   But I watch the statistics on this blog.  In spite of what people say, there is a nearly unquenchable thirst for discussion of certain topics - Calvinism, alchohol, the GCR, whatever.  What we sometimes run out of is fresh insights and we end up rehashing the same arguments over and over. Statistics would demonstrate that Southern Baptists care a lot about the issue of the name change.  But I think we've been rehashing a … [Read more...] about Trevin Wax’s Insights on the SBC Name Change