Search Results for: donald trump

It seems to me that a great many of our conflicts among Southern Baptists at this moment in time come at the juncture of pragmatism, partnership, and politics. Sometimes we have spiritual convictions that lead us to adopt political goals. I have a spiritual conviction that I should not use coercive force to try to strong-arm anyone into false conversion by persecuting him for his aberrant faith. This spiritual conviction is soundly biblical. Holding that spiritual conviction leads me to adopt a political goal: maintaining First Amendment guarantees of universal religious … [Read more...] about Pragmatism, Partnership, and Politics

It is one of my favorite sermons ever. Someday, when I grow up, I want to preach one just like it in a Baptist church somewhere as my last sermon. I say "last sermon" because when I preach this sermon it will likely be my last! The prophet Amos began so well as he preached to the northern 10 tribes, known as Israel. He spoke of the sin of the nations around Israel and the judgment God would bring on them. First, he addressed the sins of Damascus (modern-day Syria). God said through him, “For three sins of Damascus, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath.” And the people’s ears perked … [Read more...] about Imitation Courage: Preaching against OPS – Other People’s Sins

My generation remembers the 1978 Enjoli perfume commercial featuring an attractive career woman’s sultry opening lyric, “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan.” Is Kellyanne Conway the mythical modern day “superwoman” who can do it all? Kellyanne is the first woman in American history to lead a winning presidential campaign! She did this while being a wife, mother of four, operating her own business, serving as Donald Trump’s campaign manager, and always “quick on the draw” in high-profile television interviews. How did she keep all those plates spinning? It helps being smart … [Read more...] about Kellyanne Conway: A Pro-life Champion! (Ron F. Hale)

I can't remember the last time I watched one of those Hollywood or Nashville awards shows. They seem to have one every other week and I know about them because I have a few friends who breathlessly tweet about who sang what song and who won what award. I don't care. I am hopelessly uncool and un-hip. If you offered me a million dollars I couldn't name a song by U2 or Taylor Swift and I have no idea who won the Academy Award for anything last year - except that I know it was for a movie I didn't watch - they always award the movie with the best liberal political message and ignore any movie I … [Read more...] about Meryl Streep and Christian Engagement: The Need for a Principled Church

I read a post this morning that brought a tear to my old eyes. When I was a student at Southwestern back in the dark ages, before the CR took hold, I had two preaching classes. (If you are feeling defensive of Southwestern, please read to the end!) The first was taught by a professor whose doctoral dissertation had been a denial of the doctrine of inerrancy. The second, the one I liked best, was taught by a professor who was later fired by Southwestern for inappropriate behavior. I did not exactly get the best of the best.  I am thankful for the homiletical training I had at Dallas Seminary … [Read more...] about A Lily in the Muck: An Old Blogpost Gives Me Hope

Dr. Russell Moore has released a thoughtful article in which he reflects on the 2016 election season and the role he played in it. He shares his heart, his convictions, and even an apology. It is an introspective Dr. Moore who looks back at the battlefield that was Election 2016. I found myself sharing almost all of Dr. Moore's convictions this year. I've been accused of being a sycophant or something, but the fact is that I arrived at my convictions independently of anything Dr. Moore said. I've not spoken to him in some time, though we've shared a Twitter like or two from time to time. My … [Read more...] about Dr. Moore and the 2016 Elections: A Thoughtful Plea for Healing