SBC Voices

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

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

There are several modern inventions I think are genius. The in-car GPS?  Give that inventor a Nobel prize.  And the DVR - wow!  I get to fast forward through commercials.  I can watch a soccer game in about 15 minutes, but just zipping through it until the score changes then watching the goal.  Amazing.  Recently, I got a smart phone - a Droid because everyone else says to get the iPhone.  How did I live so many years without a smart phone? But there is one modern innovation that this aging pastor hates.  I don't know who the low-down varmint was who came up with the idea that we have to … [Read more...] about Why Can’t I Sit in Church?

It was with great joy that I read and reviewed Randy Newman’s book, Bringing the Gospel Home.  There was one spot however that gave me pause.  In his book Newman argues that, “if a tract or online presentation of the gospel only refers to our sin as ‘brokenness,’ we are misrepresenting the truth.”  Newman then argues that using terms like brokenness makes it sound as if we are only victims when really we are the ones in rebellion and given over to idolatry. Late last week Newman expounded upon this point in his article “We’re Worse Than Broken”.  He believes that the word is not helpful for … [Read more...] about Yes, We’re Worse Than Broken; But I Still Use the Term. Response to Randy Newman.

I don't have time to write a lengthy article here and this is too long for a tweet, but I'm going to vent my spleen a little and you can chime in. I read some things today that got me thinking, and fuming, and writing.  So, here it is.  I'm not giving details because I don't want this to be personal. My church is having a tough time financially.  Yours is too, probably.  The vast majority of non-profits in America are struggling.  Churches.  Associations.  State conventions.  The SBC.  We are all in the same boat - sailing in a sea of red ink and leaking fast. Let's assume, for the sake … [Read more...] about The WRONG Way to Handle Church Financial Problems

I had a long talk with a woman last week.  She grew up in what I will call left-brained Christianity and she is tired of it. She was raised in churches that prized doctrinal correctness and biblical knowledge and had very strict standards for behavior - typical American conservative evangelical churches.   They have emphasized the holiness of God, His glory and supremacy.  But she has also seen the dark side of left-brained Christianity.  One church she was a part of used "truth" as a hammer to keep people in line and obedient.  She is very tired of a Christianity that is defined by what it is … [Read more...] about Right-Brain Christians, Left-Brain Christians: Can We Walk Together?

I heard a sermon the other day that was a “good sermon”.  The speaker was funny.  The congregation was engaged.  The congregation was given very helpful pointers, things that would help in living better lives.  There was nothing heretical in the sermon; nothing that I could not heartily affirm.  Helpful, engaging, down-to-earth, and it used biblical principles.  Yet, after hearing the sermon I felt sick to my stomach. What caused my sickness?  Was it my breakfast burrito?  Perhaps too syrupy of pancakes?  That could have added to my sickness but the main problem was not in something I ate … [Read more...] about Monday’s Ministry Musing: Why I’m Sick of Hearing “Good” Sermons

As a rule, I do not tell jokes that involve God and his ways.  Just doesn’t seem right.  But this old joke makes a point. A man was trapped in a flood on top of a barn.  He prayed, calling out to God and a voice came from heaven saying, “I will save you, my son.”  With that confidence, he relaxed on the roof and awaited his rescue.  Soon, a man in a canoe came by and told him there was room in the front.  The man said no because he was waiting for God to save him.  As the waters continued to rise, a motorboat came by and offered him a ride.  Again, he turned it down and awaited divine … [Read more...] about One Thing Changed: The Key to Church Health and Growth?

Recently a young man in my church asked the question: is it okay for Christians to have doubt?  One well meaning lady told him that Christians shouldn’t experience doubt and he just needed to be more spiritual.  That answer left both he and I unsatisfied. Let’s face it—most if not all Christians, whether we want to admit it or not, experience moments where we identify very much with Thomas and you might as well dub us as “Doubting” Mike or Suzanne or Ichabod!  But what do we do with our doubt? Before anything else, we must remember to not glorify doubt.  In one seminary class, we were … [Read more...] about What do we do about doubt?