I wrote an article Monday at sbcIMPACT about Harry Potter. In it, I admitted my deep, dark secret - I'm a fan of the books and movies. But I'm also a little wary about the subject. Below is my original post, then some very insightful comments by David Rogers that present a reasonable case for why Christians should be careful about the Potter phenomena. Both David and I believe this is a matter of liberty and conscience, but that does not mean that Christians should fail to exhibit discernment. So, here is my original post and David's comments. Let us know what you think. TRUE … [Read more...] about A Christian Liberty Debate: What about Harry Potter?
Is It a Sin to Disagree? Picket Fence Doctrine: Brick Walls, Picket Fences (8)
I have had two conversations recently that revealed a similar concept, that if two Christians disagree on some theological or lifestyle issue, one or both of them is "in sin" and should repent. Is that really true? Are differences in doctrine rooted in sin? Must disagreements be settled by repentance? Dr. Malcolm Yarnell of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary created some controversy a few years ago at the height of the Baptist Identity debate among Southern Baptists. We believe that baptism is meant to be performed after conversion by immersion - that's why we are called … [Read more...] about Is It a Sin to Disagree? Picket Fence Doctrine: Brick Walls, Picket Fences (8)
“Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?” Brick Walls and Picket Fences (7)
I was in the middle of a series of posts entitled “Brick Walls and Picket Fences” a few months ago and got sidelined from it. I continue to believe that one of the greatest needs in the SBC (and the greater evangelical church) is for us learn to balance the pursuit of doctrinal correctness and unity. I have previously made 8 posts in this series, and plan to take it up again. You will notice the similarity between this and Dr. Mohler's Theological Triage rubric. There are both similarities and differences. The concept of both is that all doctrine is true but that does not mean that … [Read more...] about “Why Build a Brick Wall When a Picket Fence Will Do?” Brick Walls and Picket Fences (7)
Teachability
At a conference I attended, I heart Alan Hirsch say something I wrote on my white board in my office. "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows". I am not sure if that is an original quite, but I like it and I remember it for a solid reason. I don't want to become unteachable. Have you met an unteachable guy? I am sure you have. They already know everything, even if they are wrong, they won't admit it, if you show them they are wrong, they will find a way out of it. Most of us (I said us) on blogs tend to lean this way. We are pretty sure of our ideas, … [Read more...] about Teachability
Mustard Stains and Stuttering Speech
One mustard stain can ruin everything. It doesn’t really matter that 99.4% of my shirt is clean. It’s that .6% of mustard stain (or maybe 15% pending on how I tackled that sandwich) that my eyes immediately go to. We are like that aren’t we? Some more than others. We tend to focus on the blemishes. Blemishes have a tendency to register a pretty hefty on the “am I cool or not” scale. Enough blemishes (whether perceived or real) and you won’t feel adequate even if you have a staff that turns into a snake or a hand that can change from leprosy to healed quicker than a Hollywood … [Read more...] about Mustard Stains and Stuttering Speech
Why I’m wary of Calvinists (by William Thornton)
The SBC Plodder is back with another examination of Calvinism. I will put on my Karnak turban and predict a lively discussion. After all, I have ESP-N. I'm a hacker and a plodder and am no different than the other fifty thousand or so SBC pastors but I do have a thirty year history with Calvinism and Calvinists and, unsurprisingly, have an opinion about it and them. To be candid, while I’m mostly ambivalent about Calvinismm, I'm decidedly wary of Calvinists. Here’s why: 1. Calvinists can be, well, rather arrogant. No, they don’t have a monopoly on such but my observation is that they … [Read more...] about Why I’m wary of Calvinists (by William Thornton)
Best Prayer Ever? Or an Embarrassment? You Make the Call!
This prayer has made the rounds and just about every blog has weighed in. Here's your chance. Is this a light and funny moment in which, as Pastor Nelms said, he obeyed the biblical injunction to "in everything give thanks?" Or was this a sacrilege against Christ? Did this Baptist (I'm not sure if he is Southern Baptist - no evidence that he is) pastor seem more intent on seeking God or on entertaining the crowds? Is it appropriate to give thanks for your "smoking hot wife?" And is saying, "In Jesus' name, boogety-boogety-boogety" an appropriate close? I love humor. I love a good … [Read more...] about Best Prayer Ever? Or an Embarrassment? You Make the Call!
Baptist Boy Imbibes Can of Busch Water
I may have forever lost my chance to get a NAMB appointment this past week and I might have to turn in my Baptist credentials or something. I drank every drop of the contents of the can you see on the right here and I enjoyed doing it (I also took this photo in a Lutheran church so who knows what is happening to me). I am writing a little tongue-in-cheek, although some may take me too seriously to be sure. This little can of water got me thinking this past week. I would like to share some of those thoughts with you. There is often a great deal of discussion about alcohol on this blog … [Read more...] about Baptist Boy Imbibes Can of Busch Water
Note to Self: I Forgive You
I read recently of a man who "threw in the towel," so to speak. He gave up the good fight and surrendered to -- no, accepted -- as he might put it, his inner gayness . . . the "real me." He fought the fight for decades, perhaps not as well as he would have wanted to when in the midst of battle, too little pushing through and too much giving in, but clearly with the hope of overcoming. I don't doubt that, as I know you can search and cry out, even as you hide and act out. He had raised his family, served his church, built his career and, -- perhaps being generous here -- had been married for … [Read more...] about Note to Self: I Forgive You
The Norway Murders, Christian Fundamentalism, and Media Bias
It is crass to use a tragedy to buttress a political point, but it is a common tendency among politicians and theologians alike. While the numerical decline in the SBC can hardly be classified as a tragedy compared to events in Norway, the way that everyone has used the statistics to make their point is an example of this tendency. "Numbers are down so we have to seek new ways to relate to the culture." "Numbers are down so we have to go back to the traditional ways." When something bad occurs, we often want to use it make our point. The greater the tragedy, the more tawdry the instinct to … [Read more...] about The Norway Murders, Christian Fundamentalism, and Media Bias