Is the belief in eternal security necessary to perform a valid, biblical baptism? Do the doctrinal beliefs of the church or administrator of baptism contribute to the validity of that baptism? Should a person who wishes to join a Baptist church and was baptized by immersion in a church that believes salvation can be lost be re-baptized in a Baptist church? This debate has raged in blogs for years, often creating as much heat as light. In our last debate we focused on church oversight of baptism. Now, we tackle this thorny issue in hopes that we can take one step toward greater … [Read more...] about Diverse Voices Debate: What Does Eternal Security Have to Do with Baptism?
Southern Baptists and Denominationalism
Like me, most of you missed what I hear was a great conference-Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism. If you would like to read Trevin Wax's summaries of the messages follow the links below. Here are links to my summaries of all the lectures at the Union University conference: Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism. Special thanks to David Dockery and Tim Ellsworth for the invitation to live-blog this event. Trevin Wax To listen to the messages go here- Union University. … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists and Denominationalism
Church Discipline for Persistent and Willful Non-Attendance
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins Hebrews 10:25-26 (ESV) Neglecting the meetings of the church is a sin and church discipline is to be used in the case of unrepentant sin. Church discipline not only restores wayward sheep, but also removes unbelievers from the church and protects the corporate witness of the local church. If a member is not attending, it is … [Read more...] about Church Discipline for Persistent and Willful Non-Attendance
SBC 2010- Orlando
This is one of the most anticipated Conventions in awhile and I highly encourage everyone to attend! Registration is now open! June 15-16 2010 in Orlando, Florida. SBC 2010 … [Read more...] about SBC 2010- Orlando
Diverse Voices Debate: Multi-Site Churches- Good Option?
Multi-Site Churches: Not A Good Option Our family was once involved in a multi-site church at its satellite location. We began that experience with enthusiasm and anticipation. The possibilities seemed endless. It was located in a brand new community development. We had the weight of the mother church and all its resources behind us. The mother church had installed a strong Bible expositor as its pastor. Over time, however, the difficulties of this arrangement seemed to outweigh its benefits. To be sure there were many positives in our experience, but we finally concluded that the model was … [Read more...] about Diverse Voices Debate: Multi-Site Churches- Good Option?
“The Good Wife” in Real Life
In the new drama television series, "The Good Wife," Juliana Margulies plays the wife of an elected official who is caught in a sex and money scandal. The official, played by Chris Noth, is sent to prison and "the good wife" returns to work as a lawyer, raising her two children on her own. Take a look at the profiles of many of your Christian friends and you’ll discover that listed among their favorite programs are TV series like “Desperate Housewives,” and “Gray’s Anatomy,” both of which frequently glamorize sexual relations outside marriage. Other TV series are busy normalizing … [Read more...] about “The Good Wife” in Real Life
A Response to the Baptism Oversight Debate
Thanks to Robin Foster and all who have participated in this debate – especially those who agreed with me! I have been disappointed only by the cruel comments that Doug Hibbard made about the New York Yankees, but I am trying to work through my feelings against him. Other than that ugly episode, it has been an encouraging inauguration of this debate series. Observations 1) Blogging has a tendency to magnify our differences. I am convinced that we are not as far apart on this issue as our rhetoric might make it appear. I do not say that church oversight is never appropriate and those … [Read more...] about A Response to the Baptism Oversight Debate
Diverse Baptists Debate: Church Oversight of Baptism- Foster’s Rebuttal of Miller
This rebuttal is only my attempt to challenge Dave Miller’s thoughts and theological understanding concerning the church’s responsibility to oversee baptism. I appreciate what he has written and hope that further debates over essential doctrines in the Southern Baptist Convention can be as cordial as ours. In Dave’s paper he proposes that, “…the view that all valid baptisms must be performed under local church oversight may be argued from historic confessions, but not from scripture.” I beg to differ in that to argue against church oversight of Baptism is to make scripture say what … [Read more...] about Diverse Baptists Debate: Church Oversight of Baptism- Foster’s Rebuttal of Miller
Diverse Voices Debate: Is Church Oversight Essential for Baptism?
Baptism- No Need For Church Oversight Baptist churches observe two ordinances – baptism and the Lord’s supper; ordered by Christ. We reject the term “sacrament” because we believe that no saving grace is imparted by these observances, but that they are important because they symbolize the death of Jesus Christ in one way or another. We believe that only those who have professed faith in Christ may be baptized, and that by immersion. And we all agree that that the primary venue for the observance of these ordinances is the local church. The question at hand is … [Read more...] about Diverse Voices Debate: Is Church Oversight Essential for Baptism?
The Church Home: A Refuge in an Information-Overload Era?
Generations ago people wore hats to church on Sunday. Now they’re more likely to come with duct tape wrapped around their heads to prevent them from exploding from the 7-24 infusion of breaking news and cultural revision. Could it be that the constant cultural change blaring from our televisions, radios and the Internet on sites like Drudge, regurgitated on Facebook and Twitter and various blogs and forums is leaving us overwhelmed and searching for something truly constant? Could it be that Southern Baptists are yearning for a well-preached, on-target sermon, a clear and consistent Bible … [Read more...] about The Church Home: A Refuge in an Information-Overload Era?