...if you were on Mars...deep underground...in a wire mesh sealed cave...with noise cancelling headphones. The latest "most important election in the history of our country" is over, except for the shouting, recriminations, complaints, demonstrations and the like. In my church yesterday one would have thought last week was a quiet week. There was scant mention of the election because far more important subjects demanded attention: worship of almighty God, the eternal Gospel, hurting and hungry people. I'm not going to spend the next four years griping and complaining, a … [Read more...] about Last week was a quiet week…
Election Day Observations and Predictions
I'd like to share some observations and predictions about the election here today. Before you take any of my predictions too seriously, remember that I stated with full confidence that the GOP would never nominate Trump in 2016, and once they did, I stated here that Trump had absolutely no chance of becoming president. My previous failures at prognostication do not prevent me from engaging again in prognostication. 1. Everyone says this as established truth, but our actions and words sometimes ignore it - whoever wins tonight, God is still on the throne. All of those "the future of the … [Read more...] about Election Day Observations and Predictions
Your guy lost, so get over it.
No one wants to hear your whining for the next four years...not your wife, your kids, your friends, your neighbors, your coworkers, your dog, or your cat. People voted, that’s that. Your daily life likely isn’t going to change one bit. You could gripe full time but how much good would that do the country, your family, your friends, your church, or yourself? Maybe you should have shared the Gospel more and politicked less. Maybe your church would be more unified on the eternal Gospel if you didn’t get so deep into the latest election as Armageddon. You could gripe less and … [Read more...] about Your guy lost, so get over it.
Just how easy, or difficult, is it to become an SBC church?
One of the long running narratives about our Grand Old Convention is that it doesn't take much to become a Southern Baptist Church. That's a false narrative. Here's what it takes: Local SBC associations have extensive and detailed requirements and processes for churches to join. Here is the web page for my local association in Georgia. There are 1,116 SBC associations. I can offer anecdotal reports for the handful of associations in which I have participated. There are committees involved, examinations of doctrine and practices, a waiting period, and a formal vote for … [Read more...] about Just how easy, or difficult, is it to become an SBC church?
Look at Us! (Dr. CB Scott)
Dr. CB Scott has been a pastor and an administrator both at SBC seminaries and colleges. He is now a DOM in Kentucky. He was a key player in the early days of blogging. He is an ardent Auburn Tigers fan. War Eagle! Former VP Joe Biden said something at the end of the recent debate that really made me think. He stated, "Look at us." I did exactly as he asked. Then I looked through both him and President Donald Trump. I looked so far through them both that I saw behind Mr. Biden his running mate, Senator Harris. Looking through and behind Mr. Trump, I saw Vice President Pence. Then it … [Read more...] about Look at Us! (Dr. CB Scott)
Baptists You Should Know, M. Theron Rankin
The history of the SBC includes thousands of missionaries, pastors, workers, and others who often get lost to history. My goal is to highlight a few of those people in order that we can be encouraged and inspired by their lives and sacrifice. Milledge Theron Rankin was born on July 28, 1894, in Newberry, South Carolina as the fourth child and third son of his parents. His father was Milledge Whitfield Rankin, a Baptist preacher who served small and medium-sized churches through a long ministry in South Carolina. Like most ministers of that time, MW Rankin made a modest living for a family … [Read more...] about Baptists You Should Know, M. Theron Rankin
A Question: Am I Biblically Obligated to Vote?
I believe that voting is an issue of freedom of conscience - falling under Romans 14-15. Each of us must decide under the Lordship of Christ how to vote. There have been a lot of bullying efforts by supporters on both sides, but in my experience, some in the GOP and passionate Trump have mastered this art recently. "No true Christian would vote..." If you have decided to vote for Trump, fine. You do not need to convince me if you are convinced in your own mind. I am turned off by those who present Trump as "God's man" and refuse to admit his faults and failings, but I understand those … [Read more...] about A Question: Am I Biblically Obligated to Vote?
Winning the Abortion Debate in America
Pro-life Americans have long focused a great deal of attention on Roe vs. Wade. And rightly so. It is among the most unjust decisions ever handed down by the United States Supreme Court. I long for the day when it is overturned. Conservatives are rightly thrilled with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett. If Scalia's judicial philosophy is hers, then her judicial philosophy is mine. The United States Constitution should be interpreted as it was written. If Americans don't like what was written, there's a process for amending the Constitution. But that responsibility does not belong to … [Read more...] about Winning the Abortion Debate in America
Baptist Distinctives (by Dr. Mark Terry)
As I mentioned in the previous post (on Baptist Confessions of Faith) the administration at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary asked me to write an essay on Baptist confessions and distinctives. For Voices, I divided the essay into two parts: one on Baptist confessions of faith and one on Baptist distinctives. You can find the previous post in this series here. In a university course on world religions, the unit on Christianity would note that Christianity can be divided into three main branches: Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestants. For its part, Protestantism can be … [Read more...] about Baptist Distinctives (by Dr. Mark Terry)
Anonymous site calls for SBC transparency
No, not the Babylon Bee but an actual petition site that calls for a "forensic audit of NAMB & Lifeway." Let's ruminate a bit here, first, on the idea of an anonymous site calling for transparency. Who set up the site? Who funded it? Who is behind it? Who wrote the petition? Seems absurd for a secret group to toss out a petition like this calling for, of all things, transparency. Second, the call is not for transparency. It is for an audit. The petition is not just for an ordinary audit or for NAMB and LifeWay to be more open about their spending but a forensic audit. I'm neither CPA … [Read more...] about Anonymous site calls for SBC transparency