Here are what I think are some primary, secondary, and tertiary theological issues: PRIMARY: Trinity Substitutionary atonement Hypostatic union Christ's resurrection Christ's second-coming Inerrancy of Scripture Virgin birth SECONDARY: Calvinism/Arminianism (due to its effect on your view of God and Scripture) Cessationism/charismaticism Women in ministry Baptism Lord's Supper TERTIARY: Credo/paedo baptism Earth age Eschatology (as in pre/post/amillenial, dispensational, etc.) Church polity ____________________ Would anyone erase a third … [Read more...] about What is Primary?
Community–the primary apologetic
But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as Holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you… 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) Ever since my high school days I’ve had a thing for apologetics. I used to debate non-Christians on various web forums over science, philosophy, and belief; then in college I belonged to a group some friends started called the Society of Christian Apologists and Philosophers (SOCAPS for short—it had a ring to it!). We took the Bible, Faith Has Its Reasons, and Mere Christianity as our main texts and sought to engage … [Read more...] about Community–the primary apologetic
Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
I’ve thought a lot lately about the role I play or potentially could play as a Christian blogger. God has brought a decent amount of traffic and recognition to my blog, especially lately, and I always wonder the affect it has on those who read it. There are those who simply follow a link to my blog and are only on the site for less than a minute. Some are referred to an article I’ve written by another site, read it, and move along in a matter of minutes. There are some of you who have chosen to receive emails of anything posted here or at Modern March. Regardless of the amount of time someone … [Read more...] about Blogging: Planting Seeds from Afar
Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!
The latest revision of the Baptist Faith & Message is now a decade old. In celebration, I'd like to offer my humble opinion on the good and bad revisions. Note: Some were introduced at some level in the 1998 revision, though solidified in the 2000 edition. The Good Gender Roles - A much needed clarification of Scripture's clear teaching of male headship in the church and in the family. Both Articles VI and XVIII clearly state the worth and gifting of women while explicitly and unapologetically describing their roles. Exegesis - The removal of "Jesus Christ as the exegetical … [Read more...] about Happy 10th Anniversary, 2000 Baptist Faith & Message!
Readers and Do-ers…
Hey everyone. It's been a crazy couple weeks in the SBC blogosphere between the convention and other "discussions". I personally am taking a brief hiatus from the blogosphere for the month of July (and maybe August). The hardest part won't be skipping writing and commenting, but keeping myself from reading everything going on out there in the up-to-the-minute nature of blogging. I add that just to let some of you know that I haven't died or joined a cult or anything. Anyways, I thought I'd leave you guys with something to talk about. Summer. Great time for reading. Great time for … [Read more...] about Readers and Do-ers…
Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback
College football in America was rocked to the core by recent news of conference expansion and realignment. Moderate spectators and rabid fans alike were no doubt anxiously anticipating the outcome of these sudden developments. With Nebraska’s departure to the Big Ten Conference and Colorado to the PAC-10 Conference, the Big 12 Conference was rumored to likely dissolve quickly thereafter, with Texas and and handful other Big 12 schools possibly headed to the PAC-10. One of the teams looking to follow the money train to the PAC-10 was Baylor University. Texas Governor Rick Perry has been … [Read more...] about Baylor and Berkeley: A Liberal Pushback
Unofficial Report: Caner no longer dean of LBTS as of June 30
This entire post is from James White: This was just reported by the News and Advance out of Lynchburg: Liberty University announced today that Ergun Caner will no longer be dean of the university’s Baptist Theological Seminary. After an investigation conducted by four members of Liberty’s Board of Trustees, the university said it found that Caner has made “factual statements that are self-contradictory” concerning “dates, names and places of residence.“ The statements included his description of being raised as a Muslim in Turkey, when documents indicate he moved to the United States at … [Read more...] about Unofficial Report: Caner no longer dean of LBTS as of June 30
Why I Oppose Internet Voting at the SBC
I have seen several comments by bloggers on this site and others advocating off-site, electronic voting for the SBC. Travel to the SBC cost me a lot of money (well, my expense account) and the time off can be a hardship. Of course, that results in fewer churches sending messengers and taking part. Here’s one vote against electronic voting in the SBC. It may happen, but for the time, I am going to speak against it and vote against it if given the chance. Here are the reasons why I do not think it is a good idea. 1) The Ideal, Theoretical Reason: Most churches have rules against … [Read more...] about Why I Oppose Internet Voting at the SBC
A Bizarre, but Blessed Day in Baptist World
I am thrilled that the GCR report passed at the SBC Annual Meeting by a very strong majority. I guessed the vote to be about 75%-25%. Another blogger I ran into estimated things at 70%-30%. Someone else said it was 85%-15%. Hard to count. I could have wished that the vote was 95%-5% like the authorization vote last year, but the vote we had was a clear and convincing vote. The majority of the SBC was behind the GCR Report. But there were many bizarre things that happened today in Orlando - some personal and some political. On the positive side, almost every one of these trips into … [Read more...] about A Bizarre, but Blessed Day in Baptist World
Will the Real SBC Majority Please Stand Up?
We are in Orlando determining the direction of the SBC for many years to come. We will elect a president who will guide us for the next couple of years. That may not be our most crucial decision, but it will reveal something about who we are. We will vote on several motions. I think that our response to Dwight McKissic's motion on racism will reveal how much progress we have made in racial issues. Of course, the GCR will be the al turning point. Will we embrace the vision the Task Force has put forward or will we turn back and hold onto the status quo? But there is another question behind … [Read more...] about Will the Real SBC Majority Please Stand Up?