SBC Voices

Young, Restless, and Newtonian

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Recently, I have been blocking off a little more time to work on a book I hope to write on John Newton.  I believe Newton to be a great model of a pastor-theologian that provides a wonderful pattern of effective soul-care and evangelical Calvinism. One particular area that I feel we “Young, Restless, and Reformed” can learn from Newton is in the way he held his Calvinism, and how he debate it—or rather how he did not debate it. In June of 1772 he published a letter On the Doctrines of Election and Final Perseverance (you can read that here).  Shortly thereafter a Methodist preacher by … [Read more...] about Young, Restless, and Newtonian

Did Homosexuality Exist in Biblical Times?

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I read this article by a former SBC pastor and was greatly disturbed by his exegesis and thought process. I like his spirit of grace and humility toward the LGBT community, but this is just insulting to Scripture: [T]he concept of homosexuality was unknown for centuries after the Bible writers lived. It was not until the 19th century that the word “homosexual” was used for the first time. That being the case, the Bible writers could not have written about homosexual people or anything they did. Read his full argument here. Thoughts? … [Read more...] about Did Homosexuality Exist in Biblical Times?

Open Thread: Who’s Your Early Favorite for the 2012 Election?

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This is really dangerous and I may regret it and just trash the whole thing. But someone asked me the other day what I thought of a candidate.  I don't pay much attention.  As an Iowan, I will see and hear more than I want of the Republican candidates in the months between now and the caucuses in February.  But right now, I don't know what to think of any of them. What do you think?  I know there are some Obamaites out there and you probably feel excluded, but the Democratic nominee is not a big surprise, unless someone jumps into the Dem race.  But the Rep side is wide open and most of … [Read more...] about Open Thread: Who’s Your Early Favorite for the 2012 Election?

Discussions of Calvinism on SBC Voices

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I'm really tired of it.  That weariness has been growing over time and now I have reached the point where I think  I need to make some changes in the way we approach the subject of Calvinism here. This is not a rebuke of one article or one author, but of the whole tone and tenor of discussions not only here but also throughout the SBC blogosphere. Observing the discussion here the last couple of days just crystallized things in my mind. As the editor of SBC Voices, I have the authority to make some changes and I intend to attempt to do that. For what its worth, here's how I feel. I am … [Read more...] about Discussions of Calvinism on SBC Voices

The Crazy Uncle of the Evangelical Family Strikes Again

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Pat Robertson can easily be characterized as a loose cannon. He frequently says things apparently without thinking them through for biblical truthfulness or even common sense. Many of them are essentially harmless and easily ignored. Some of them however beg for a response. In that way, Pat is kind of like the "crazy uncle" that you probably wished didn't belong to your family because he always seems to find a way to embarrass you at the family reunion or in some public setting. Compound this tendency with a whole segment of his show that encourages him to "shoot from the hip" every episode … [Read more...] about The Crazy Uncle of the Evangelical Family Strikes Again

False Teacher Said What?

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Words fail...   So maybe God's Word will suffice: For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4   … [Read more...] about False Teacher Said What?

This is No Place for Cowards

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I carry the past that each day I chose One step to another . . . now everyone knows. It isn't the past I would have wanted to claim But it is my past . . .  it is mine just the same. I wonder sometimes about all of this Can there be no exchanging what was for what is? Will there be no will be because of what's done? Will yesterday's darkness eclipse today's sun? Is forgiveness a mystery, a want too far-flung? Is healing a melody not to be sung? Is change just a hold-out, dangled just past the grasp? Is grace to be rationed . . . with some of us passed? No mystery, no silence, … [Read more...] about This is No Place for Cowards

Sin is no Secret

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“Be sure your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23, KJV Many people are naturally fascinated with mysteries and confidential information, which is obvious when observing popular American culture. Several dozen movies and documentaries are produced each year involving stories of the CIA and covert military operations, and countless internet sites are devoted to exposing (suspected) conspiracy theories and hidden government agendas. It’s no secret…people love secrets! Some things, however, just can’t be kept hidden. No matter how hard we try, no matter what measures we take to prevent … [Read more...] about Sin is no Secret

God is Big Enough (but do we live as if it is so?)

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On Sunday Mornings, we are presently doing a 21-week jaunt through Acts.  This past Sunday I preached on Acts 9:32-11:30.  My focus was for us to wrap our minds around the “bigness” of God.  Three of my four points were: God is big enough to deliver us from our infirmities, to rescue us from death, and to save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. My other point out of this two and a half chapter passage came from one tiny little verse that you can easily skip over if you’re reading fast—9:35, “And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.” God is … [Read more...] about God is Big Enough (but do we live as if it is so?)