I learned an early lesson about the realities of Southern Baptist life: Anyone who asks honest, respectful questions about individuals, entities, budgets, policies and the like gets looked at askance, with disapproval, with suspicion and wariness. I asked some questions about the new Sex Abuse Task Force. Others have done the same. One hopes that the current reaction of the SATF is a pattern for the future. The TF brethren and sistren are issuing regular updates and have answered some questions. They declare that they will be open and transparent. This signals a new day in the SBC where the … [Read more...] about Reasons for close scrutiny of The Sex Abuse Task Force
The eighth generation church member and pastors’ suspicion of multi-generation church families
I recently read a story about a baptism, a young girl who was the eighth generation of her family in that one church. That's a lot of 'begats.' Most people wouldn't be able to come up with names for eight generations of their family. Eight generations back from my grandchildren would reach to my great-great-great grandparents. Having spent fifty years researching family genealogy, I can list that far back from memory which would include some direct ancestors born in the late eighteenth century and quite a few Civil War veterans. Most people have a real life and deal with live folks. I … [Read more...] about The eighth generation church member and pastors’ suspicion of multi-generation church families
This Is Why the SBC Resolution on Abortion HAD to Be Amended
An amazing thing has happened in Texas and at the Supreme Court in the last 24 hours. Texas passed a law that prohibited abortion after 6 weeks, when a heartbeat is heard. (NOTE: I am not an expert on the law or on these laws, so I am representing them the best I can - this is in no way legal analysis). Laws against partial-birth abortion have been passed and other limitations on abortion have become state law and then been struck down in the courts or by SCOTUS. Last night, our new conservative court let this restriction stand. The Texas law, which may face a series of challenges, is now … [Read more...] about This Is Why the SBC Resolution on Abortion HAD to Be Amended
Have We Lost Our Minds?
An update from Religion News Service. Dan Darling is a gentle man of God who advocates for godly conversation and a biblical regard for one another as fellow image-bearers. He has written excellent books on online conversation and how we can better reflect Christ in them. In his conversations with others, he lives that out. Dan recently left the ERLC to become Senior Vice President of Communications for the National Religious Broadcasters Association. Dan published an article at USA Today by the title, "Why, as a Christian and an American, I got the COVID Vaccine." On August 2, Dan … [Read more...] about Have We Lost Our Minds?
SBC’s record is 50-0 in lawsuits
This according to longtime convention attorney, Jim Guenther, and is the estimate for ascending liability lawsuits where someone has a problem in a local SBC-affiliated church and sues the Executive Committee or SBC. There has never been a successful lawsuit of this type. Yes, I understand that the current matter is gravely serious and involves deplorable and heinous sins. My hope and prayer is for the SATF to do their work efficiently and sensibly and come to the end by helping the SBC and its churches in the matters involved. You can read what Guenther says about ascending liability … [Read more...] about SBC’s record is 50-0 in lawsuits
Why can’t some followers of Jesus just talk normally?
There's another epidemic raging through our fair land. In addition to COVID-19 and variants there is a highly infectious strain of alternative communication making deep inroads into our Christian subculture. Here are just a couple of examples: Some ministry leaders don't just resign but "step into a substantial season of reordering." Indeed, marching into a summer, winter, spring, fall, presumably a globally climate change enhanced "substantial" season, not just a normal season. I recall (from reading, not from personal experience) the year without a summer, 1816. Now that was a … [Read more...] about Why can’t some followers of Jesus just talk normally?
Army Chaplains: Clearing Up Some Myths
There is a good bit of misinformation circulating around the internet regarding military chaplains in general and Army chaplains in specific. I’ve seen posts that claim that Army chaplains cannot pray in Jesus’ name when they conduct their worship services. Some people claim that chaplains are forced to conduct services for other religions. Hopefully this post will help clear up some of these common myths related to military chaplaincy. Myth #1: Chaplains Cannot Pray in Jesus’ Name This myth stems largely from confusion regarding military ceremonies versus worship services. Attendance at a … [Read more...] about Army Chaplains: Clearing Up Some Myths
Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse, Part 2 (Phillip Powers)
In my previous post, I began to outline the general contours of a biblical ethic for theological discourse. The ability to discuss questions of theology and biblical interpretation Christianly, especially where there is disagreement, is a primary indication of a person’s maturity in Christ. However, in this current cultural climate, godly virtues like humility, gentleness, kindness, love, and grace are glaringly absent from most (online) theological discourse. As Christians, we are certainly called to contend boldly and vigorously for the truth, and sometimes this necessarily includes calling … [Read more...] about Suggested Ethics for Online Theological Discourse, Part 2 (Phillip Powers)
Should SBC employees be allowed as messengers at the Annual Meeting?
There's been some discussion lately about the appropriateness of employees of SBC entities serving as messengers to the SBC Meeting. Much of this was sparked by a post on Twitter from Tom Buck. Undeniable fact: If the votes of SBC employees were removed from the vote in Nashville... and only the votes of everyday SBC pastors and church members were left... Mike Stone would've won in a landslide. — Tom Buck (Five Point Buck) (@TomBuck) August 12, 2021 While it's impossible to know the truth of Pastor Buck's statement without assuming the motives and votes … [Read more...] about Should SBC employees be allowed as messengers at the Annual Meeting?
What was lost has been found: Spurgeon’s earliest sermons
The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon are back in production after a nearly two-and-a-half-year hiatus. Originally planned as a 12-volume set, the project will only produce 9 volumes — one per notebook of Spurgeon’s earliest sermons. I reviewed Volume IV earlier this year and noted what had changed under the new editor and research team. With the recent publication of Volume V, I think the trajectory for the final four editions is set. I asked Broadman and Holman Publishers for a review copy, and here’s what you can expect from it and the series going forward. As with each previous edition … [Read more...] about What was lost has been found: Spurgeon’s earliest sermons