Posts from 2019
Receive, Reject, or Redeem?
Before Aryn and I were married, we spent a lot of time talking about our beliefs, how we did things, and how we would do things after we tied the knot (given that we had a very long-distance relationship for about three years, talking took up the vast majority of our time!). Often, these conversations concerned how we planned to raise our children, should God be…
Denominational Life
One of the key distinctives of Baptist life is the doctrine of the autonomy of the local church. In a nutshell, this means that there is no hierarchy over local Baptist churches that is outside of that church’s governance model. There are no Baptist bishops, presbyteries, archbishops, or popes. Local churches operate independently under the headship of…
A New “Normal”?
Back in the early 1960s, the philosopher Hannah Arendt covered the trial of Adolf Eichmann, the notorious Nazi who oversaw the logistics of transporting millions of Jews and other peoples whom the Nazis considered “undesirable” to concentration camps and their deaths. As Arendt spent time observing and studying the case, she was struck by the fact that Eichmann was…
Cynicism and Benny Hinn
Sometimes, you encounter an event that causes you to scratch your head and struggle to reconcile two things that you didn’t think could exist simultaneously. This happened to me recently (as I’m sure it happened to many others) when I heard that Benny Hinn had publicly made some statements that seemed to indicate he was turning away from the prosperity gospel he had…
What Excites You?
As much as Fall may mean crisp evenings, the changing (and falling) leaves, and pumpkin spice for some people, for me it means the return of college football and my beloved Bulldogs teeing it up between the hedges at Sanford Stadium on the campus of the University of Georgia. I love the sport of football in general, but I especially love the intricacies of college…
The Dangers of Celebrity Pastors Culture, Part 2
It’s been said numerous times, but it seems as though it is beneficial to repeat: being a pastor is neither an easy nor a safe calling. Despite the jokes about only working for about 3o minutes a week (I suppose I’m an overachiever!) and spending lots of time on the golf course (I’ve…
The Dangers of Celebrity Pastor Culture, Pt. 1
For those who were active in the Church during the 1990s either as a youth or involved in youth ministry in some capacity, memories of what is today called the “purity culture” are likely to comprise a fair amount of what we remember. While this movement suffered from several abuses, not the…
The Billy Graham Rule – Today
Much has been made about the so-called “Billy Graham Rule” in recent years, due to the acknowledgement of many public figures (such as Vice-President Mike Pence) who adhere to it. When Billy Graham was beginning his ministry, he and his team understood that all of their Kingdom efforts could be undermined and discredited by a single accusation of sexual impropriety. …
#SBC Thoughts – Part 3
This week’s thought is from Marie Babcock, who served as a messenger to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention this year. I am thankful for her – as well as the other messengers’ – prayerful and thoughtful participation this year. I thought it would be a good thing for you to hear the perspectives of some of those who attended and not just my own. …
#SBC Thoughts – Part 2
This week’s thought is from Lisa King, who served as a messenger to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention this year. I am thankful for her – as well as the other messengers’ – prayerful and thoughtful participation this year. I thought it would be a good thing for you to hear the perspectives of some of those who attended and not just my…