SBC Voices

The Worth of Friends

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This was originally posted on my blog on June 15, 2010: John 15:15, Jesus: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” The pastor at the church I visited this past Sunday made a good point: “It’s said that friends are people who accept you just the way you are.  Well, the guy at the drive-thru accepts you just the way you are because he really doesn’t care about your life.  A friend is the person who challenges you to do better in … [Read more...] about The Worth of Friends

Les Puryear’s Post: “An Apology to SBC Reformed Pastors”

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Les Puryear posted this today, and I thought some of you would like to see it.  It was posted on SBC View.  Since a couple of you posted in response to Les' earlier comments (and those of another blogger), I thought you might like to see his latest response.  I appreciate Les' humility in issuing this apology.  I think this spirit of grace is exactly what we need as we try to work together in the future. An Apology to SBC Reformed Pastors  (from Les Puryear) On April 15, I wrote a post which concluded that Reformed Baptists should leave the SBC. After much prayer and pondering, I have … [Read more...] about Les Puryear’s Post: “An Apology to SBC Reformed Pastors”

Bloggers, Journalists, and Other Verbose Writers (Part 1)

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So, according to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, a journalist "is a : a person engaged in journalism; especially : a writer or editor for a news medium b : a writer who aims at a mass audience." So, what exactly is a journalist, friends?  Help me out.  You see, I don't really consider myself a journalist.  I see myself as a woman who writes devotional, inspirational, "stuff" about my life, with the main emphasis on my faith in Christ.  One dear friend of mine says I'm a "scribe".  That sounds so much better than a journalist, don't you think? Yet, if you think about it, most … [Read more...] about Bloggers, Journalists, and Other Verbose Writers (Part 1)

But We Were Eyewitnesses

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The words of Peter's epistle came to mind recently when I caught this video lecture about new ways of demonstrating that the Gospels are definitely eyewitness accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus.  Thought I would share the video with you guys who might be interested in it.  It is about an hour long, but very engaging.  There is also a Q and A clip on youtube from this same event.   The speaker is Dr. Peter Williams. … [Read more...] about But We Were Eyewitnesses

When the Queen Kills the King – It is Time for the Check Please

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From the title you might be guessing that this is a post about chess.  Sorry, but no.  It is a title about bad sermons with an attempt at a witty headline, but it got you this far so you might as well keep reading. It is said that theology is the "Queen of the sciences," and indeed that is so, but it is dangerous when someone mistakes the "queen" for the King.  I recently heard a sermon where the preacher didn't bother to quote from Scripture, aside from a couple of "glancing" mentions of two verses without citing what they even were.  The sermon was based on the work of three … [Read more...] about When the Queen Kills the King – It is Time for the Check Please

“Soul Surfer” A Review

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This review is about 3 weeks late, but better late than never.  I'm not sure how much longer this movie will be in theaters, but if it is still playing near you, take the family and go see it. Last week, my wife and I decided to take in a movie on date night, and the only thing showing that we had any desire to see was "Soul Surfer", which recounts the life story of Bethany Hamilton, a surfer whose arm was taken by a shark at a young age and who went on to become a champion anyway.  She and her family are committed Christians, and she relied on the power of God to help her through. I … [Read more...] about “Soul Surfer” A Review

“Acceptable Calvinism” and the SBC (by Bill MacKinnon)

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Are Calvinists being told by some bloggers that they will only be accepted in the SBC if they agree to live as second-class citizens?  Bill MacKinnon, one of our regular commenters here at SBC Voices makes that point in the post he sent me a while back.  He admits to being a little sarcastic in some of what he says, but he raises some really good questions. The SBC simply must come to peace with the Calvinism issue.   Calvinists are not going away, and neither are those who do not agree with Calvinism.  There are certainly Calvinists who have been overly aggressive in advancing their … [Read more...] about “Acceptable Calvinism” and the SBC (by Bill MacKinnon)

I’m a Five-pointer!

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I think it's time to be direct in my theology. So, here it is: I'm a five-pointer. I think the Lord Jesus Christ is a five-pointer as well. Don't believe me? It all depends on your five points. I know we tend to use that term to identify the Dort formulation of Calvinism, but let's grab a different five: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ” (Isaiah 9:6, KJV 1900) Here are five points we should all agree on: 1. … [Read more...] about I’m a Five-pointer!

URGENT, a book review by Hariette Petersen

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Profoundly moving.  From the first sentence to the last, "URGENT" gripped my heart and mind.  It penetrated my spirit and touched my soul.  With heartbreaking clarity and honesty, author, Joe Donahue, shares the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his father.  "Urgent" is an accounting.  Donahue gives an account of the sin of his father, and how those sins nearly destroyed him.  He writes: "Like Bartimaeus, I was just a blind beggar...covered in whatever filth I had been crawling through...blind at heart...worn out clothes wrapped my shivering body during cold … [Read more...] about URGENT, a book review by Hariette Petersen