This is only 11 months worth. There's still time to make some news. Our Sacred Clergy Tax Break takes a hit in federal court. The minister's housing allowance, which allows clergy to exclude a considerable portion of their income from income tax, is ruled unconstitutional by a federal district judge. If you live in a parsonage the decision did not apply to you, only to those who receive a cash HA. Oh yeah, we've been here before...same court, same judge, same plaintiff, same outcome. Nothing changes for now, so max out your HA for 2018, just do it properly. Russell Moore gets spanked. A … [Read more...] about Top SBC news stories of 2017
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My Reflections on #SBC17 (Kyle James Howard)
This article was posted at Kyle Howard's website and is cross posted here with permission. This article is also featured on my Coram Deo Podcast. The audio is available there if you would like to listen to me read it, rather than read it yourself. Context This past week has been very eventful for me. It was the annual Southern Baptist Convention, and I was attending this year, not as a messenger as in the year prior but as a student. I am currently doing graduate studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Historical Theology. I came to the convention this year as a … [Read more...] about My Reflections on #SBC17 (Kyle James Howard)
Whither Nuance? The Disappearance of Thoughtful Subtlety in American Politics
Social media interaction can be revealing. I retweeted a tweet by a friend - an observation about the tendency of Christians to justify any failures on "our side" (politically) by pointing out that "their side" is worse. The nearly immediate and sadly predictable response was that this man (a rock-solid conservative) must be a Hillary supporter. Naturally, if you are not 100% in support of the GOP and everything they do, you are a Democrat-lover! I have watched the response to a tweet I sent out a while back with some amusement. Trump. Comey. Russia. Schumer. Pelosi. Ryan. Impeachment. … [Read more...] about Whither Nuance? The Disappearance of Thoughtful Subtlety in American Politics
A Christian, and Baptist, Response to Syria and War (by Joey Giles)
A few days ago Brother Dave Miller presented, what I thought, a very good article on the recent actions of President Trump and the response to Syria’s chemical attack on its own people. His ultimate conclusion was that he saw the argument from both sides of the perspective, and that there isn’t a clear cut, right/wrong answer, especially with a subject like war and conflict. Unfortunately, as has happened on too many occasions, people used the comment section to go from healthy, constructive dialogue to name calling, baiting, and just plain hateful, non-Christian jargon. [Last couple sentences … [Read more...] about A Christian, and Baptist, Response to Syria and War (by Joey Giles)
WHO IN THE WORLD IS “BOBBY BAPTIST”?
Introducing Bobby and Othello Baptist “Bobby Baptist” is a term that I recently encountered in an article written by Brad Reynolds, who serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Christian Studies at Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, GA. His article is entitled “Bobby Baptist and the ERLC.” The ERLC—Ethics and Religion Liberty Commission—an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention, is headed by Dr. Russell Moore who according to one news article was required to apologize to seven SBC pastors in order to retain his job. The “offense” Russell Moore allegedly … [Read more...] about WHO IN THE WORLD IS “BOBBY BAPTIST”?
PROPOSED RESOLUTION ON KINGDOM UNITY IN THE SBC AND THE NATION
I plan to present a “Resolution On Kingdom Unity In The SBC And The Nation” to the SBC June 2017 Phoenix Resolutions Committee that if accepted and adhered to will advance the Southern Baptist Convention toward the goal(s) of reconciliation, healing, unity, cross-cultural respect, appreciation for freedom of expression, and diversity of viewpoints; based on one’s convictions, conscious, cultural considerations, and more importantly—the Spirit of Christ. When the Southern Baptist Convention become one in the Spirit and be empowered by the Spirit—we will be the most potent Kingdom … [Read more...] about PROPOSED RESOLUTION ON KINGDOM UNITY IN THE SBC AND THE NATION
Whither Henceforth? Moore, Unity, and a Path Forward
What are we going to do about Dr. Russell Moore and the ERLC? It seems that the main question has been answered, at least for now. The Board of Trustees of the ERLC has spoken forcefully that they are behind Dr. Russell Moore and a chastened Moore has announced his intention to go forward as president of the ERLC. The appeal for unity from Moore and the ERLC seemed to hit the right chords and most people seem ready to move forward, closing the curtain on this act and seeing what drama might exist in the next. Dr. Russell Moore has been the most discussed, most targeted, and most vilified … [Read more...] about Whither Henceforth? Moore, Unity, and a Path Forward
A HILL ON WHICH [“NOT”] TO DIE: Biographical Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Responses to the Graham-Moore Controversy
At the conclusion of a recent Chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on March 8th, I stood in line to shake Judge Paul Pressler’s hand—an iconic and venerated figure in Southern Baptist Convention life. Judge Pressler greeted me warmly, as he always does. I immediately noticed that he was visibly and emotionally shaken at my presence; and I soon discovered in our friendly, but brief, conversation the reason why. My presence reminded him of a not-so-pleasant experience for him that took place at the Annual Southern Baptist Convention that met in St. Louis this past … [Read more...] about A HILL ON WHICH [“NOT”] TO DIE: Biographical Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Responses to the Graham-Moore Controversy
The Only Winning Move is Not to Win
Nearly 35 years ago, the world nearly came to an end because Matthew Broderick messed around with his 9-inch floppy disks and played a game of "Global Thermonuclear War" on a government super-computer named Joshua. Fortunately, Joshua was designed to explore all the possible scenarios and learn from its calculations. At the climax of the movie, Joshua realizes something very important. Every single option in Global Thermonuclear War ends with unacceptable losses for everyone and no one wins. Everything goes dark, then the screen pops on with these words. The only winning move is not to … [Read more...] about The Only Winning Move is Not to Win
The Southern Baptist Convention’s Decision to Investigate Russell Moore Has Huge Implications for Black SBC Churches
The Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano, TX, (a Dallas suburb) led by Dr. Jack Graham, a former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, has determined to escrow funds totaling $1 million, that were previously designated for the Cooperative Program—the premier funding mechanism of the Southern Baptist Convention’s agencies— because of positions and policies taken by Dr. Russell Moore, President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Other predominately White Southern Baptist Churches are also threatening to withhold Cooperative Program funds … [Read more...] about The Southern Baptist Convention’s Decision to Investigate Russell Moore Has Huge Implications for Black SBC Churches