Southern Baptist

The posts below offer commentary on issues concerning the Southern Baptist Convention and her members.

A Response to Jerry Vines on Calvinism and Southern Baptists

Friend and fellow Southern Baptist Joshua Breland has responded to Jerry Vines’ recent comments that Calvinism is one of the biggest challenges confronting the Southern Baptist Convention in his article: Maybe the Mayan Calendar Was Marking the End of the Southern Baptist Convention. One of the claims Joshua addresses is Vines’ charge that a move [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Does “Southern” Give Southern Baptists a Bad Image?

The above wordle was created in 2009 by Thom Rainer, President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. The wordle is composed of the 140 character replies to Rainer’s twitter question - “What do you think when you hear ‘Southern Baptist’?” Thom Rainer’s son, Sam, categorized the unscientific twitter results stating, “About 60% of the respondents gave [...]

14 comments Click to read->

Why Bryant Wright Will Succeed in Changing the SBC Brand

The following is a guest post by Nathan Creitz. Nathan is originally from the South but now lives with his wife and two children as a missionary in New England. Nathan makes disciples and teaches New England churches and ministries how to fulfill the Great Commission in their town. He blogs about making disciples in [...]

12 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists: Racial Relations and Spiritual Worth

Victor Irvine Masters, D.D. (1867-1954) while Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention was asked to write a mission study book at the 1914 Southern Baptist Covention. The Home Mission Board published the book in 1915. I recently shared Masters’ perspective from this publication in two areas: 1) Southern [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Calvinistic Methodist Influence on Early American Baptists

I recently shared an excerpt on Southern Baptist doctrinal conditions from a book by Victor Irvine Masters, D.D. (1867-1954).1 Masters was a past Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the last sentence of the section on doctrinal conditions Masters states, “The Baptists of 1815 in the South, [...]

5 comments Click to read->

A 1915 Perspective on Southern Baptist Doctrinal Conditions

Victor Irvine Masters, D.D. (1867-1954) was the Superintendent of Publicity of the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1914 at the Southern Baptist Convention, Masters was asked by the Corresponding Secretaries of the State Boards to write a mission study book.1 He offered an interesting observation about Southern Baptists and their history [...]

4 comments Click to read->

A Rough Seminary Semester, Part II

In part I, I shared about some of the issues my family and I faced during the 2011 spring semester which ran from January – May. God taught me a lot during that time. Some of what He taught me I’m still digesting while other lessons He taught me I’m not sure exactly how to [...]

4 comments Click to read->

A Rough Seminary Semester, Part I

This past 2011 spring semester (January – May) was rough. A lot happened in that five month span. I knew it was going to be busy since I was taking four classes in addition to my family, job, deacon duties, my daughter’s high school graduation and a teaching assignment at church. I began to feel [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Alcohol: Of Greeks and Barbarians

There has been enough talk about alcohol on Christians blogs lately to make readers drunk with words. While alcohol is always a favorite topic on Southern Baptist blogs1 one of the well-esteemed pastors of our day, John MacArthur, also felt the need to address the topic2. MacArthur was answered by the accused, Erik Raymond3 and [...]

9 comments Click to read->

Surry Baptist Association-Flat Rock Baptist Timeline

Flat Rock Baptist Church (FRBC) was recently removed from fellowship in the Surry Baptist Association (SBA) for calling a female to the pastorate. Some have disagreed with the way SBA removed them seemingly so quickly1 while others disagree with the removal at all2. The background of the situation may be found in those posts or [...]

19 comments Click to read->

IMB Missionary Interview for LovingMuslims.com

The International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention recently launched a website to encourage Christians reach out to their Muslim neighbors. The website is LovingMuslims.com and the timing of the launch was no mistake as the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 approaches. I had the privilege to send a few question to the [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Discipleship Through Judgement

Look at the word discipleship. There within it is the word disciple, which is obviously related to the word discipline. In view of the next section on corrective church discipline, I would point out that discipleship is the other side of the coin—it is formative church discipline. These words, discipleship/discipline/ disciple, all connote ideas of [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Jim Wallis and Richard Land Debate Morality and the Deficit

The video topics break down as follows: Why the budget is a moral document (02:34) What’s the real cause of the deficit? (05:04) Debating taxes for the wealthy and entitlements (08:14) Jim: The poorest shouldn’t bear the brunt of balancing the budget (03:03) Does baby boomer retirement make means-testing necessary? (05:11) The parable of the [...]

1 comment Click to read->

A Response: Patriotism and Christian Worship

Pastor David Brumbelow recently posted Patriotism and Christian Worship at SBC Voices. I will admit upfront that I disagree with Brumbelow on this topic. I’ve even written about patriotic worship in the past on more than on occasion. Christians will probably continue to disagree about this topic this side of heaven. Make no mistake that [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Transcript and Commentary: Al Mohler On Homosexuality at the SBC

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, recently answered a question from Dr. Peter Lumpkins concerning alleged comments he made about Evangelicals and homosexuality. The question was answered from the floor of the 2011 Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting during his report on Southern Seminary. Dr. Mohler confirmed that the statements in question were [...]

7 comments Click to read->

More Photos of Alabama Tornado Damage

I recently posted about an area in Alabama that did not get much media coverage and is in need of help. (See: Help Needed for Overlooked Alabama Tornado Victims) The folks mention in that post can still use your help. I’m thankful and encouraged by the responses to help so far. I’ve been sent some [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Help Needed for Overlooked Alabama Tornado Victims

The recent tornadoes that ripped through Alabama left several devastated victims. Unfortunately, over 200 of those victims died and most of the survivors are now rebuilding their lives. As far as I know many of the tornado hit areas received national or regional news coverage. I am writing today about an area that did not [...]

5 comments Click to read->

The Southern Baptist Phantom Menace

Imagine for a moment that a church friend comes to you and expresses his frustration over another member of the church. Your friend mentions that he is tired of Sunday School at various times. He does not like the way things are taught sometimes or some of the methods used in the lessons. In his [...]

14 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Church Offices, Elders et al. (Update)

Update below. A simple Google search will yield discussions concerning Southern Baptists and the subject of having a plurality of elders/pastors in place in the local church. It is understandable that there are biblical interpretive disagreements on how a church ought to fill its offices, on congregational involvement, etc. Hopefully, all local congregations seek to [...]

12 comments Click to read->

The SBC and Calvinism: Three Reviews of Whosoever Will

The Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Spring 2010, is out. This issues deals with “Baptists and the Doctrine of Salvation.” There are three reviews of two recent books by Southern Baptists dealing with salvation. Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism, editors David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke, reviewed by: Gregory A. [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Is T.D. Jakes Now Trinitarian?

In light of the recent concerns over Modalism and the SBC Pastors’ Conference, it has been said that T.D. Jakes no longer holds to a form of Modalism or to a Onesness Pentecostal view of God. There are plenty of resources (I don’t have time to note them here) online and in books that document [...]

45 comments Click to read->

Open Email: SBC Pastors’ Conference 2011 Doctrinal Concern

Please note: Mr. Jones’ name and the link to the Potter’s House website have been removed from the Pastor’s Conference website. On Feb. 17th I sent an email to Vance Pitman, President of the 2011 Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference about a doctrinal concern. The email is posted below and contains within it the first email [...]

18 comments Click to read->

A Grinch Alert?

I’m convinced that the celebration of Christmas is always going to be a point of contention somewhere. Whether it’s from anti-Christian secularists, Christians who are convicted that it is not a holiday to be celebrated or corporations that embrace the holiday season in general simply as a means for revenue. Scripture gives Christians no direct [...]

7 comments Click to read->

Is Your Church White?

Is your church white? That is the disturbing question what was email to a church in Apex, NC. Ken Keathley recently shared this inquiry over at Between the Times in his post A Shocking Question. The context of this disturbing question was: We know the Lord loves all of us, but we believe in honoring [...]

7 comments Click to read->

9Marks at Southeastern Seminary Audio Available

On September 10-11, 2010 Southeastern Seminary held it’s annual conference in partnership with 9Marks ministries. The theme this year was biblical theology. The presenters were Mark Dever, Thabiti Anyabwile, Danny Akin, Matt Chandler and David Platt. If you’re like me, you wanted to attend, but could not. Thankfully, the audio is now available for download. [...]

1 comment Click to read->

On Altar Calls And Gospel Proclamation

Recently, brother Les Puryear posted an article on the issue of altar calls – Differences Between Reformed and Southern Baptist Churches: Altar Calls vs No Altar Calls. Please not that Les calls himself a Calvinist, but not Reformed which is a fair position. As one might imagine from the title some debate took place in [...]

6 comments Click to read->

Quote on Southern Baptist Cooperation

Matt over at SBCVoices wrote an interesting post called Arminio and Calvinito: Best Friends? In light of the recent Great Commission Resurgence, he lays out where some unnecessary Southern Baptist infighting takes place. Of course, the ultimate solution is the gospel. I was reminded of a quote that grabbed my attention from a book I [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Open letter to Miley Cyrus

I was recently directed to an interview with Miley Cyrus in Parade. The interview reveals some thoughts on her move away from a young star branded as Hanna Montana into maturity and a more private life. More revealing is the fact that she was baptized in a Southern Baptist church in 2005 and gives some [...]

17 comments Click to read->

Don’t vote for Pedro!

Vote for me! Please? Join in the Southern Baptist blogger fun – click here: SBC Blog Madness 2010 and go to the West Division and vote for Here I Blog! I will really appreciate your help as I’ve got some tough competition. If you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true. [...]

3 comments Click to read->

March Devotion MP3

2 Peter 3:9 Evening Service Devotion [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (305)

This is a devotion I gave at our evening service on March 7. The first 1.5 minutes did not get recorded so I added it myself. The change in audio can be heard on the recording. It is interesting how different it was trying to recreate this short intro sitting at my computer versus being [...]

1 comment Click to read->

August Devotion MP3

Isaiah 24:23 Sunday Evening Devotional [ 14:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (164)

I gave this devotional for our Sunday evening service on August 16. My previous devotion was the evening of April 5 if you’d like to listen. My text for this devotion was Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Disclosure and Unity

So what do you do believe pastor? Do you hold to X-theology or Y-theology? Which is it Xism or Yism? If you hold to Xism we must have full disclosure! OK, those aren’t exactly real questions. Though it’s been said more than once in Southern Baptist life that if a pastor holds to X-theology, he [...]

26 comments Click to read->

Alcholism Vs Legalism

If you’ve read my testimony you’ll see that I grew up in a legalistic religion. I could never be good enough. I was the on the receiving end of the the never ending road of legalism. Whether it was a cuss word or a beer, I was done.

59 comments Click to read->

Advance09 Day One

I’m having a great time at the Advance09 Conference. A great time of learning and conviction. I’m rooming with a brother named Kris from NC who also put some notes up. I’m going to give you today’s line-up and some highlights from my notes. You can go over to DesiringGod.org and download The First Three [...]

4 comments Click to read->

Memorial Day 2009 Worship Service

It was a mostly normal Sunday morning. My wife and I left for church wondering if it would happen. It did. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. The National Anthem was sung. Everyone stood. We sat. It was uncomfortable, I admit.

10 comments Click to read->

Unchangeable Free Will

I know that yesterday I am going to eat chocolate chip ice cream. That can’t change. It cannot change. It already happened. I ate the ice cream, and even though that’s not going to change, I had free will to not eat the ice cream. Even though I am telling you today that that I [...]

40 comments Click to read->

Divine Rape and Forced Love

I recently heard a sermon by an SBC pastor. He was speaking on TULIP. One of his points was against irresistible grace. He basically calls the doctrine irresistible predestination. Then, goes on to say the following. Forced love is rape. And God is not a divine rapist. God offers His love. He desires that we [...]

11 comments Click to read->

Wanna Be A Christian Blogger?

Well, do ya? Fellow blogger Matt Svoboda, and soon to be co-blogger (sshh!), is looking for some folks to contribute to two blogs. The first is SBC Voices where Matt just took over as editor. (Congratulations!) SBC Voices is looking for theologically conservative Southern Baptist contributors. Second, is Evangelical Village which is a community blog [...]

3 comments Click to read->

When I Hear Southern Baptist

What do you think when you hear “Southern Baptist”? This was the question from Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, that came across Twitter last week. My answer in Twitter fashion was: @ThomRainer ‘Southern Baptist’? 1-my church.Then sad-easy believism, weak Gospel overshadowed by “conservative” politics but much potential. Dr. Rainer weighed in [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Proposition What? Rick Warren Did Not Lie

If you watch this video: News & Views 10/23/2008 Part 3 (Prop 8 ) at about the 30 second mark you will hear the following. “We support Proposition 8 and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8.” If you read this transcript Interview with Pastor Rick Warren [...]

29 comments Click to read->

Financial Omniscience

Below is a great quote by Ben Stein on knowing the future, especially, the future of financial and economic markets. I am bemused because I have long noticed that almost all economic pundits and soothsayers – whether on television, in newspapers, or at brokerage firms and conferences, are asked to tell the future. And most [...]

0 comments Click to read->

April Devotion MP3

April 5 Devotion Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (139)

My pastor said something I found funny while introducing me. He mentioned that I was a blogger. I was still too nervous at that point to comment. Below is a recording of the devotion I gave that I wrote about yesterday. I hope it’s edifying. If not, then shoot the messenger (me) because the message [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Wisdom From A Teenager On Youth Ministry

A teenager, named Erica, was recently given an assignment to write an editorial on the subject of her choice. Her topic? Youth ministry. Below is the editorial exactly as sent to a fellow blogger who is also a family friend of Erica. Did I mention that she is only 15? Wow! ——————————————————— A new phenomena [...]

5 comments Click to read->

9 Marks Journal: Young Pastors

Church members: read these articles to help see where you may be a problem and how you may help with the solution for your pastor and the health of your local church. The latest 9Marks eJournal is out. The topic is young pastors and it looks very good. It’s good for the church to understand what pastor’s go [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Apostle Paul Shunned By Christians

A while back I wrote Could Jesus be a student at Liberty University? I took a look at some of the reprimands and fines for certain activities of Liberty students. I ran across something along the same lines over at The Sacred Sandwich site which is a brilliantly accurate portrayal of today’s Christianity. If Paul’s [...]

6 comments Click to read->

LifeWay Reads With Discernment

Update: The Baptist Standard reported that LifeWay backs off ‘read with discernment’ label for books. Apparently the label was irrelevant to their customers. So all of the links below have been removed since they were dead. LifeWay, the Christian bookstore of the Southern Baptist Convention, has a new warning label out. It’s called Read With [...]

15 comments Click to read->

Spiritual Warfare Sunday School

This past Sunday I got to substitute teach in Sunday School. I was jumping in the middle of teaching on spiritual warfare. The topic I was to cover was spiritual warfare and church leaders. I was asked if I would share my notes here so I will. I wasn’t sure at first, but someone may [...]

2 comments Click to read->

Spurgeon: Liberal or Landmarker?

Does who you serve the Lord’s Supper with make you either a Landmarker or a liberal? I suppose it depends on who you ask. Maybe the answer would be more along the lines that one might lean one way or the other without actually being either. In other words, if, as a Southern Baptist, you [...]

22 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference, Together for the Gospel and Poor Arguments

One of the concerns raised by Steve Lemke at the John 3:16 Conference (J316C) is the current trend of baptists organizing conferences with Presbyterians. As I lived blogged, Dr. Lemke mentioned that when baptists team up with Presbyterians is causes confusion. As Lemke explained in an email to Ed Stetzer one aim of this conference [...]

6 comments Click to read->

Ten Indictments Against the American Church by Paul Washer

A practical denial of the sufficiency of Scripture. An ignorance of God. A failure to address man’s malady. An ignorance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. An ignorance of the doctrine of regeneration.* An unbiblical gospel invitation. Ignorance regarding the nature of the Church. A lack of loving and compassionate Church discipline. A silence on [...]

4 comments Click to read->

A Calvinist Helping Missions?

Dear Readers, I still need your help in being sponsored and this is the last week! This Friday, November 21st, I will be joining 30 other men to help raise money for the Sandy Springs Mission in Atlanta, GA. I found out last week that this mission will most likely run out of money in [...]

0 comments Click to read->

A Calvinist Missionary and Other Notables

When it comes to missions and evangelism in the Southern Baptist Convention today’s hot button is Calvinism and it’s resurgence among younger Southern Baptists. Is the concern that Calvinism does and will stifle missions and evangelism in the SBC valid? The answer seems to depend on who you ask. Regardless of theology, it’s a Gospel [...]

0 comments Click to read->

A Seminary Student’s Thoughts on the John 3:16 Conference-Update

Update: Todd Burus shares a great letter written prior to the conference. Read it: Calvinism in the SBC- An Open Letter to Johnny Hunt and Jerry Vines One of the people I was at the John 3:16 Conference with is a seminary student working towards an M.Div. He attends an SBC seminary and was asked [...]

11 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Pastors: A Must Read Letter

Open Letter to All Pastors of Churches in the SBC Dear Pastor, Let me first clarify that this letter is for Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) pastors in general. I am well aware that what you are about to read does not include all pastors – at least not in totality. …What is really so remarkable [...]

5 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference 60 minute Q&A

John 3:16 Conference live blogging links in order Welcome Part 1 Part 2 (T) Part 3 (U) Part 4 (L) Part 5 (I) Part 6 (P) Part 7 And the downloadable handout from Dr. Allen with updated cleaner charts thanks to Tony Byrne. UPDATE: James White and Phil Johnson have answered David Allen concerning the [...]

16 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Charles Stanley – John 3:16 to the World

Dr. Stanley starts telling that he grew up in a pentecostal holiness church. He wasn’t raised with the belief that we can have assurance of salvation. He then came to understand in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ. Stanley doesn’t like this new move of talking about raising up “leaders” and such. Instead we need to [...]

3 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Ken Keathley – Perseverance of the Saints

Quote from I.H Marshall – 2 Tim. 1:12 – Two components – One is presently saved – you can know that you are saved – One who in a state of grace will remain in the state of grace –>This is the perseverance What is the basis for assurance? Asahel Nettleton says “I think it [...]

4 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Steve Lemke – Irresistible Grace

Desires to go forward in unity. Those these discussions are appropriate. References Dordt and it being a response to the Remonstrance. Reads some long quotes of God’s grace that man has not saving grace within himself, etc. that we can’t do anything that is good. All good deeds must be ascribed to the grace of [...]

6 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference David Allen – Limited Atonement

Dr. Allen starts with John 3:16. He plans on quoting only Calvinsts to prove his case against limited atonement. Calvinists are going to be “shocked.” What two things to these men have in common – Calvin, Bunyan, Bullinger, Watts, Brainerd, Hodge, Edwards, Shedd, Barnes, Strong, etc. etc.? (I couldn’t get them all) Dr. Allen wants [...]

297 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Richard Land-Unconditional Election

Dr. Vines starts the morning explaining that disagreeing is not a bad thing. He has many Calvinist friends with whom he disagrees. He claims man can still make a choice and that though depraved not so much to as to say our capacity to chose is ruined. He does not mention God’s grace and how [...]

12 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Paige Patterson-Total Depravity

The most hated doctrine in the world today is the exclusivity of Christ. The second is total depravity. He says thank God that our Calvinistic brethren for preaching the word of God. We have so much total depravity in our churches today because the word of God is neglected in preaching today. Dr. Patterson starts [...]

8 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Jerry Vines-John 3:16

Dr. Vines, as far as I can tell, is preaching the same message on John 3:16 that he preached at SBTS chapel earlier this year. You can listen here: “The Inexhaustible Love of God” (John 3:16). Since you can go and listen I may not say too much on this. We’ll see. From what I [...]

3 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Welcome Message by Johnny Hunt

As I blog through the John 3:16 Conference I will try to follow the schedule. Jerry Vines introduces the conference and Johnny Hunt. He says this conference is designed to be a biblical and theological response to five point Calvinism. Johnny Hunt gets a show of hands and about 90% of the attendance are pastors [...]

3 comments Click to read->

John 3:16 Conference Questions

As many of you know (or maybe not) I will be attending the John 3:16 Conference this week. The very last item on the schedule is a 60 minute Q&A. So… I’d love to hear from blogdom out there as to what questions you’d like answered. Maybe, just maybe I could get to ask or [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Deeper Conference, First Baptist Woodstock: Paul Washer

In a previous post I blogged about the Deeper Conference. I didn’t get to attend as I’d hope, but below is one of Paul Washer’s presentations that is quickly becoming very popular. Play the audio above or download MP3 here. Enjoy! Mark

7 comments Click to read->

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy III

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part III This is the third and final installment of this series. This will finish up part I and part II and my review of Dr. John Compton’s sermon “What is Calvinism?” I want to take a look at Dr. Compton’s three concerns, his theology of [...]

4 comments Click to read->

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy II

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part II This is a continuation of the previous post. We start this section with the claim of the over-emphasis of God’s sovereignty above man’s free-will. An assertion based on what? We aren’t told. A side observation is that rarely are objections raised when a preacher [...]

6 comments Click to read->

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy I

Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part I Fellow SBC blogger Timmy Brister linked to a sermon telling us why it’s important to combat false representations of Calvinism within the Southern Bapitst Convention. Note: If you want to see why it is so necessary to publicly debunk errors by Lemke and others, [...]

7 comments Click to read->

And If Obama Is Elected

Change! Change is what we keep hearing about that Obama will bring if elected president. I’m hoping for change too. I hope I at least to get a little change back from my income taxes due to the poor Congressional policies, unethical business practices and irresponsible consumers that led to this huge bailout. And what [...]

2 comments Click to read->

Fundraising Auction for AOMin.org has Ended!

Bidding is closed. We have a winning bid donation of $114 that will go directly to AOMin.org. Thanks to everyone who bid in support of this ministry. Update: For anyone interested this auction is ending this Sunday night at 10pm est. (I will leave this up as the lead post for the weekend.) I have [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Double-Standard?

David Waters post Southern Baptists and their Gender Double-Standard over at On Faith claims that Southern Baptists have a double-standard when it comes to the new republican VP pick. His claim is basically that Southern Baptists shouldn’t promote and vote for Sarah Palin, a woman, since we wouldn’t let her pastor a church. So what’s [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Roman Catholic Baptist?

Peter Smith of the courier-journal out of Louisville gives us an interesting story morning Married, ex-Baptist minister to become Catholic priest. Sad, but interesting story about former baptist pastor David Harris converting to Catholicism. So why the question “Roman Catholic Baptist?” Smith’s story begins. David Harris never considered his conversion to Catholicism six years ago to [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Views on homosexuality

LifeWay has just released research on views of homosexuality from a telephone survey. The groups included in the survey were Americans in general, Roman Catholics, Protestants and another called “born-again, evangelical or fundamentalist Protestants.” I’m not quite sure of the distinction of the last group from the Protestants. A quote from the article by friend [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Convention: on tips and alcohol

I just wanted to relay this true story from a good friend of mine. He was a messenger at this years annual Southern Baptist Convention. He tells me this story about eating dinner in Indianapolis. He goes to have dinner at a restaurant. He asks the server if she has been busy due to all [...]

10 comments Click to read->

Hyper-Calvinism and Southern Baptists

Many times in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) we hear concerns over Calvinism and how it can split a church or destroy evangelism. And just as many times the Calvinist answers that those charges are not true. But are they true? Well, theology in the hands of sinful men can do much harm to a [...]

15 comments Click to read->

SBC Membership Resolution Passes

My good friend John Jordan called me this morning from the Convention floor to tell me that the resolution on regenerate church membership passed. He said it was just wonderful to be there and watch the support for the resolution as the amendments were initially not being fully supported. As resolutions go, whatever it ends [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Dr. Hargrave addresses Southern Baptists & Calvinism

An astute reader informed me of this video. As the screen shots tell us, yet again, Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism must be distinguished from one another for SBCers. Gene Bridges recently addressed this same issue. Dr. Hargrave gives an important message to consider in the SBC. Dr. Hargrave talks about labels and being honest about them. [...]

0 comments Click to read->

The Assembly Interview: A Pastor with a Church in Need

I met a couple of pastors, Charlie Scalf and Adam Fann, at the Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference a few weeks ago. They pastor a church called The Assembly Baptist Church in downtown Johnson City, TN. I met them through my good friends John and Shannon Jordan who I have known for several years. I [...]

5 comments Click to read->

WDJD

The WWJD acronym took Christian marketing by storm, had it’s 15 minutes of fame and still lingers and reappears at times. In my experience, most of the time when “WWJD” is brought up it’s in the context of being kinder, gentler and nicer to those around us. Or to a certain situation currently being dealt [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Southern Baptists and a Great Commission Resurgence?

Beyond Calvinism This post will refer to cleaning our house beyond Calvinism though it stems from talks from Calvinism. Last week I attended the Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference and Dr. Danny Akin in his presentation said we need a Great Commission Resurgence. Tim Rogers who I had the pleasure of meeting at the conference [...]

2 comments Click to read->

The Final Apologetic

At the recent Southern Baptist Building Bridges Conference I sat and listened to Tom Ascol deliver one of the closing sermons. He mentioned Schaeffer’s “Final Apologetic” in reference to those of us of different theological perspectives should love and treat each other. He is part of this topic by Schaeffer to reflect on. The Final [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists Building Bridges: Reflections

The Building Bridges Conference was a great experience. By now most people probably know that the audio is online at Lifeway.com and presentations are available at Ed Stetzer’s blog. I would have gotten to this sooner, but I could not get my friends router to connect with my wireless card. I decided not to try [...]

10 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptist Building Bridges Pic of the Week

I just want to give a quick update since I am back home and about to go to church. I will hopefully have a larger post sharing some thoughts on the conference. I talked to Ed Stetzer just before I left and he said he had all ready posted this pic, but that’s okay. He [...]

7 comments Click to read->

Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism

I’d just like to answer Nathan Finn’s question about who is going to the National Founders Conference. Lord willing, I will begin my drive tomorrow morning. As to the other part of Nathan’s question I’m not sure what my attire will be. The edgy Calvinist look, traditional SBC CR 1970′s look, my regular business casual [...]

4 comments Click to read->

Georgia Baptist Blogging Resolution

Last week in Augusta, GA I was a messenger to the Georgia Baptist Convention. Two resolutions passed one on appreciation and another on blogging. Fellow Georgia Baptist blogger Roger Ferrell recently commented on this resolution over at sbc IMPACT! I pretty much agree with his observations. I also appreciate that Timmy Brister has chimed in [...]

2 comments Click to read->

MO Southern Baptists: Towards an Unbiblical Position

The annual Missouri Baptist Convention just wrapped up. Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that there was talk and debate about the topic of, what else, alcohol. Now I don’t know if alcohol was taking over the Missouri Baptists, but apparently, Rodney Albert of Hallsville Baptist Church has a great quote that made [...]

14 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists, Investing and Morality

The ChristianNewsWire has an interesting story Investments In and Profits from Abortion and Pornography Loom Large for Protestants/Catholics Alike that reveals investments in companies that are somehow involved in immorality. The world’s two largest “ultra-conservative” denominations currently invest hundreds of millions (if not billions) of dollars in companies that profit from and/or promote what their [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Habits resulting in death?

We all have habits both good, bad and indifferent. One of my habits that may fit into any of those catergories on any given night is that while channel surfing I see someone like Joel Osteen “preaching” so I stop and listen. I did this last night and just in time to hear Joel’s “This [...]

0 comments Click to read->

What some fear about Southern Baptists and Calvinism

What am I talking about? The fear that there is a movement of sorts in the Southern Baptist Convention to remove those who hold to the Doctrines of Grace from serving. Just as Calvary Chapel did with Daniel Cassady in which his embracing of the DoG resulted in his Ordination Removal. It’s a very interesting [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Are Southern Baptists more Arminian than Calvinist?

I came across this quote below from an Arminian. In his book, The Trouble With Tulip, Page argues that Baptist need to embrace a biblical theology that is not labeled with either Calvinism or Arminianism. In essence though, Page takes what he likes from Calvinism (which would be total depravity and perseverance of the saints, [...]

28 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists and the Weight of Gluttony

As the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting draws near a resolution on gluttony may be proposed and I hope it is. This resolution is written in the spirit of and response to last years Resolution 5 on alcohol. There have been various responses around the blogging world and then some which you can easily search [...]

18 comments Click to read->

Rick Warren Vs. John Piper on the Gospel

First, I think Godtube is cool and I hope WordPress will allow their videos to be posted. I went there to see Dr. White’s videos he posted. And I also wanted to see the site after hearing about it in a news report today. I got to browse around a little. Then, I read centuri0n’s [...]

9 comments Click to read->

What if the Super Pastor left?

I ran into an old friend the other day. We caught up a little bit about our churches and some of the churches in the metro Atlanta area. He brought up a certain church that has three campuses in addition to its main church location. The campuses will play videos of sermons from the main [...]

3 comments Click to read->

An Idol Called Evangelism booklet now out

Last year I learned of a sermon from James White’s blog called An Idol Called Evangelism. This sermon is by Pastor Roy Hargrave of Riverbend Church. A few folks blogged about it including Jeff Fuller and friend Howard Fisher. Well, now the talked about booklet is out and can be ordered online. Here is the [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Please welcome the Reformed Baptist Fellowship

This new blog features contributors Richard Barcellos • Mark Chanski • Bob Gonzales • James Renihan • Jim Savastio • Geoffrey Thomas • Sam Waldron • James White. I look forward to reading and learning from these men. This is a welcomed addition to the blogosphere. Thanks guys, Mark

0 comments Click to read->

The Altar Question: Southern Baptists and Others?

I have mostly heard and seen this in Southern Baptist churches. I am not talking about altar calls where unbelievers are being called forward which is another topic for another time. I am talking about going forward to pray and/or renew your commitment to Christ. I have asked about this practice before on this and [...]

13 comments Click to read->

A Conversation on Calvinism

I was talking to an old friend from high school recently and we talked of many things about church. I’ve run into this old friend in the church we now attend which is some 250+ miles away and 15+ years ago from High School. We caught up a little bit on old friends and old [...]

7 comments Click to read->

Pro-abortion: Honoring Christ’s Teachings or Obama’s?

In many news and blog articles Rick Warren is being criticized for having Senator Barack Obama speak at Saddleback’s AIDS Conference. The controversy involves Obama’s pro-abortion position which is in opposition to Warren’s position and, of course, against the biblical position. I want to take a look at a brief response by Obama from an article [...]

4 comments Click to read->

Calvinists are Evangelical

Below is a response I sent to The Christian Index in reply to a reader’s recent submission entitled Evangelical Calvinism is an oxymoron. Let’s see if it gets published. Calvinists are Evangelical I can’t believe some who professes to be Protestant know all that the original Protestants professed. If Southern Baptists wish to continue to [...]

8 comments Click to read->

Dear Emir and Ergun Caner: A Calvinist History Lesson

To Emir and Ergun and those who fall inline with their anti-Calvinist, I’m a Southern Baptist not a Calvinist position. It’s been a long weekend and I’m tired so I won’t write much. Someone from my local state SBC paper wrote out some factual points very well. So please read Baptist Identity and Calvinism. Since [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Politically Liberal Calvinist

Yes, I can certainly hear it now from the anti-Calvinist Southern Baptists like Falwell and whosoever else shall speak. Calvinists may now be put in the party of the liberal democrats in an attempt to further discredit our theology. Below is a quote from one of Eric Sapp’s posts in which he claims his Calvinism. Sapp formerly worked [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Church Fundraising: How?

I have given a few passing thoughts lately to church fundraising. I know there are times when churches need money just to meet their normal budget since the congregation doesn’t normally give well. However, I am speaking more of raising money for extra projects like new building additions, rennovations or a new multi-million dollar sanctuary [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Jesse Mercer’s Eternal Concerns of a Slave

In Nathan Finn’s recent post 19th Century Baptists, Slavery, and Christian Civility: Some Lessons from the Past in he tells of a new book he is about to publish entitled Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural Institution. Read his post for more information. It’s looks to be an interesting read and will shed some light [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Being More Holy: Forward to the Altar Steps

Is there something more spiritual about going forward, kneeling down and praying on the steps around the pulpit (sometimes called the altar)? It sure seems like there is. My wife and I recently experienced this call. After a very sharp appeal to the emotions in reference to serving God and prayer there was a strong [...]

0 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists the coffins are here and Voddie’s got the hammer!

Do you want to here the straight truth about what’s going on in the SBC? Inflated baptismal numbers? Unregenerate members? Actually preaching the Gospel? Church discipline? Want to hear about “the dance”? You can hear about all of these things and more at this years Eastern Evangelism Conference in Hampton Voddie Baucham brings it. My [...]

6 comments Click to read->

Could Jesus be a student at Liberty University?

You can read the whole code of conduct from Reprimands and Consequences portion of Liberty’s website. The original link has been made private now. You can get the pdf version made from the archived Reprimands and Consequences. Let’s look at a few fines and reprimands below. 4 Reprimands + $10 Fine – Improper personal contact [...]

8 comments Click to read->

Blog bites: Emir Caner vs. Apostle John

Emir Caner recently spoke at Thomas Road Baptist Church. You can download it at – A Gospel Worth Preaching. Paraphrasing Emir he said that God doesn’t send people to hell for their sins, but for their rejection of Christ. John wrote at 16:8-9 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Blog bites: Voddie Baucham at the Piper Conference

First, listen to all of the conference: Desiring God Conference 2006. I am working my way through and am listening to Voddie this morning. He said something that we should think about as Christians. He was address the question of “Why are we here?” It will make us reflect on God’s grace and love and [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Worshiping with Ed Stetzer

This past Sunday my best man at my wedding, Russ, and his wife were in town. I was also his best man at his wedding. Neat, huh? We met and worshiped with Ed Stetzer at his church plant Lake Ridge Church which is about a year old. I found out the people was very welcoming. [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Blog bites: Remembering our past theological heros and the Joshua Convergence

A quick and dirty to the summary of my thoughts on the recent Joshua Convergence on the topic of gratitude. The speaker on this topic was local pastor Jeff Crook. Quoting from this article in the Florida Baptist Witness he comments. “Gratitude and honor are inseparable,” Crook said. “To not give honor is to not [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Blog bites: Warrenism Splits Church

Yes, that’s Warrenism named after Rick Warren. I wondered if anyone had used that term before so just Google it and see. When I say Warrenism splits church I am referring to a story by Suzanne Sataline in the Wall Street Journal entitled A Popular Strategy For Church Growth Splits Congregants. It was only a [...]

5 comments Click to read->

Southern Baptists & the Alcohol Resolution: How?

There have been numerous bloggers writing on Resolution No. 5 On Alcohol Use in America from this years Southern Baptist Convention. The first “RESOVLED” of this resolution says, “RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and [...]

3 comments Click to read->

Frank Page: Calvinism Manmade Not Bible-based

Just scroll down to the bottom of the article Frank Page discusses SBC theological issues. Many felt that Dr. Page would be a great moderate voice towards the Calvinists in the SBC despite his book The Trouble with TULIP (reviewed here). You can read an interview with Dr. Page in which he states, I have [...]

4 comments Click to read->

Sovereign Over Sovereignty?

I read that Roger Olson has a new book out called Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. (Not to be confused with Gordon Olson who I’ve blogged about.) I searched and found in The Baptist Standard an article written by Roger Olson entitled God is sovereign over his sovereignty. What does that even mean? Is this [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Frank Page and Alcohol Use: Heart of the Disagreement

First, I don’t believe anyone has been clearer nor dealt as exegetically with the issues in this debate in the SBC of alcohol abstinence vs. moderation than the material by ConcernedSBCer. This issue has been dealt with on this blog without using the iron fist in the lace glove technique. Brad Reynolds has quoted an [...]

3 comments Click to read->

The SBC, Alcohol, Patterson and MacArthur

It’s been several months since I’ve posted anything. I’ve been busy with my new family and studying for the CFP. I appreciate my concerned brothers who checked up on me to make sure I was well. Thanks a bunch. I also appreciate my friends who were going to take me off their blog roll if [...]

1 comment Click to read->

Moore, Pearce, Camp and a Lecture

I read through Steve Camp’s The Top Ten Turkey Awards of 2005 and his post Double standards. Number eight on the list is Russell Moore (the Henry Institute and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) for having Roman Catholic Joseph Pearce speak at the Gheens Lectures. Dr. Moore is, however, a very solid theologian. These lectures are [...]

2 comments Click to read->

Dr. Rogers, say hello to Jesus for us.

According to the Baptist Press Dr. Adrian P. Rogers went to be with our Lord today. I used to listen to Dr. Rogers on the radio off and on a few years ago. While we had certain theological differences we certainly have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in common. Dr. Rogers was a great brother [...]

6 comments Click to read->

The Mohler – Patterson “discussion”

When I first read that Al Mohler and Paige Patterson were going to “debate” Calvinism I was excited. I was glad a prominent Calvinist was finally going to correct and properly represent the Calvinists positions and all of its misrepresentations. I thought, “Finally, an answer!” The more I thought about it the more I wonder [...]

4 comments Click to read->

SBTS, Mohler & Moore: Alcohol &

First, I want to thank my good friend Russ for pointing me to this issue over at Steve McCoy’s blog. And thank you, Steve and all the others for the good and brotherly insight and engagment on this issue. Dr. Russ Moore opens with a wonderful prayer and thanks all for being there and being [...]

8 comments Click to read->

God is merely trying to save everyone?

These are some quick thoughts I had in the past that I typed out, saved and just found again. I was thinking about how some people view God as trying to save people rather than actually saving them. This thought process lead me think of God being a failure since He tried to save all, [...]

1 comment Click to read->

40 Days of a new Reformation?

During Rick Warren’s recent appearance on the Today Show he made the following statement. “I believe that we are possibly on the verge of a New Reformation in Christianity and another Great Awakening in our nation,” said Warren. “The signs are everywhere, including the popularity of this book.” Interesting that the popularity of Warren’s The [...]

0 comments Click to read->