As you are certainly aware, there has been a good amount of discussion regarding Dr. Mohler’s comments at the SBC Annual Meeting. You can read the full transcript here. Or watch the video here. But most of the controversy stems from these words: But we as Evangelicals have a very sad history in dealing with this issue. We have told not the truth, but we’ve told about half the truth. We’ve told the biblical truth and that’s important, but we haven’t applied it in the biblical way. Not to put words in Dr. Mohler’s mouth but I think in part what he is saying is that we have been very … [Read more...] about Al Mohler, Homosexuality, and Job’s Friends
The Joy of Incapacitation
I have had surgery lately, fixed a gastro-esophageal issue I have. Since the surgery, I have been immobile. Most of my time in bed, in some pain and on medications. I have been healing ok. Your prayers will be appreciated. During my down time, I have been struggling with my lack of ability to do "stuff". I want to work, I want to get up and get things done. I am having a hard time with that, I feel like there are expectations of me, people who want me to work hard. I am not working hard, I am laying down, struggling with myself. The pain meds have diminished my capacity and … [Read more...] about The Joy of Incapacitation
What I like about Calvinists
Here's another submission from our friend William Thornton, the SBC Plodder. Somehow, I'm guessing this one could be a little lively. I'm of the opinion that the internet was made for Calvinists, since there seems to be so many of them who love endless discussions. I've been interacting with my Calvinistic brethren/sistren online for almost twenty years, going back to the SBC's old SBCNet Forum in the 1990s. I do like some things about them: Almost all of the calvinists I know are serious about their beliefs. An old prof said to our class years ago, "All you have is what you believe. … [Read more...] about What I like about Calvinists
Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…--Ephesians 4:11-12 Most of us are likely familiar with the term “evangelist.” Certainly we have heard about Billy Graham and his crusades, and if you grew up in a Southern Baptist church you likely experienced more than one “revival” in which an “evangelist” came and spoke. Maybe it even had musical evangelists. Much of our modern conception about evangelists ties to the notion of revivalism in evangelical church life, but … [Read more...] about Rethinking the Ministry of the Evangelists
Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
This may be one of those articles that I look back on 10 years (or 10 days) from now and regret. I think I may be flirting with the idea of tipping over a sacred cow of modern evangelicalism. I’ll show you my cards up front…I’m not sure a personal testimony is really as important as we make it out to be. With every church interview I have ever been a part of this question is inevitable…”would you please share your testimony”. Granted, it’s a good question. You want to know that the person you are considering for membership, leadership, or whatever is actually a believer. The motivation … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: How Important IS a Testimony?
On Word Christian Soldiers
A decade ago I dabbled in stand-up comedy. My humor was the weird kind that when the punchline came you could almost count the beats before the audience got the joke. Thankfully, most everyone in the crowd (all 17 of them on a good night) usually got it. One of my favorites from those days was, "What's the deal with those 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books? I saw one the other day, 'Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul.' What if your pet was a chicken?" 3...2...1...aaaaaaand cue the laugh track. I know I see the world differently than a lot of people. My skewed perspective means I … [Read more...] about On Word Christian Soldiers
Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches
I actually have nothing to say. I'm on the way to Omaha to pick up the world's cutest and most wonderful grandson ever (and I will not tolerate debate on this issue). But here's the challenge. Top that title! There is a large cash prize (I'll take a dollar bill and blow it up to an 11x17 sheet of paper and mail it to you) for the best potentially controversial blog title. My money is on Doug Hibbard. … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll on Church Politics concerning Illegal-Immigrant Calvinist Homosexual Homophobes who Deny Baptist Identity in Emergent Megachurches
How to Evangelize with Church Signs
How do you best use your church sign to reach the community? Just say no. The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, but it isn't easy to encapsulate that gospel on a church sign in such a way that the message isn't perverted or made trite and common. Every once in a while I read a church sign with a message that makes me smile or think. Much more often, my response is to cringe when I read the offensive, ridiculous, shallow or hackneyed phrases. Ed Stetzer posted a church sign at his blog today and it got me thinking. Here are some church signs that someone … [Read more...] about How to Evangelize with Church Signs
The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Originally posted at Modern March At the G5 summit in 2009, Dallas Baptist University professor and award-winning author Dr. David Naugle was asked: Why is Calvinism increasing in popularity, especially among younger pastors? (1.) Because it satisfies a deep longing for transcendence found in the sovereign God and His glory in the context of a culture swamped with purely immanent, this worldly cares and concerns. (2.) Because it provides a solid biblical and theological basis for counter-cultural cultural engagement and transformation, so that adherents can be against the world and yet … [Read more...] about The Appeal of Calvinism to Young Pastors
Calvinistic Tension Headaches
Yep, I just dropped the C word. No matter what theological system you follow—or if you take the “I just follow the Bible” route—you will undoubtedly be faced with certain tensions. Your theology will cause those that differ to say, “yeah, but…” At the end of the day there is much in the Christian life that is mystery. There are many beliefs within Christian doctrine that must be held in tension. And no theological system is free from these tensions. Most people are Calvinist, Arminian, Calminian, whatever you want to call them not because they are idiots but because they are … [Read more...] about Calvinistic Tension Headaches