The Top Blog Posts of the Week

by the Contributing Editors of SBC Today

This is a list of recent blog posts which we found interesting.  That we found them interesting doesn’t mean we necessarily agree with or endorse the ideas presented in the posts, but that we found them to be intriguing and thought-provoking.  (They are listed in no particular order of interest). Please post your comments to discuss  any article that strikes your interest. If you have recent blog posts to nominate, please send the link to sbctoday@gmail.com.

About Theology

• “Piper’s ‘Masculine Christianity’ Actually Emasculates,” by Wade Burleson on his blog, criticizing Piper’s male view of God and a misogynist view of women.
• “Divorce, Remarriage, and Ministry: What Did Jesus Say?” by Dave Miller in the SBC Voices blog, the fourth in a series on this subject, which thoughtfully investigates Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament about divorce.
• “Begging the Question,” by Randy Everist in the Possible Worlds blog, explaining the logical fallacy of begging the question – a frequent error in many theological and philosophical arguments.
• “Hardshells and Justification,” by Stephen Garrett in the Old Baptist blog, citing moderate Calvinist theologian A. H. Strong against contemporary neo-Calvinists on the issue of faith preceding salvation/regeneration, “because faith . . . is the medium or instrument by which we receive Christ and are united to Him,” because Scripture does not say we are justified dia pistin = on account of faith, but only dia pisteos = through faith, or ek pisteos, = by faith.
• “Making Every Connection,” by Bob Loyd in the Bob’s Worldview blog, drawing an analogy between an experience in air travel with the security of the believer.

About the SBC

• “’The Calvinists Are Here,” A Guest Editorial by Gerald Harris,” in SBC Tomorrow, with a clarion call editorial by Georgia Christian Index editor Gerald Harris about Calvinism in the SBC.
• “Attitude and Arrogance – Ingredients that Keep the SBC Kettle Boiling,” by Tim Rogers in the Southern Baptist in North Carolina blog, defending Gerald Harris from some criticisms of his editorial in the Christian Index.
• “Is There a Reformed Conspiracy to Take Over the SBC?,” “Is There a Reformed Conspiracy to Take Over the SBC, A Final Thought,” and “The Future of this Old Ship, The Southern Baptist Convention,” by Bob Hadley in SBC Issues, with reflections on several current issues raging in the SBC.
• “Calvinism at LifeWay: New Curriculum Alert,” “LifeWay’s Calvinist Deception Gets Noticed,” and “Wax Waxes on about LifeWay’s Calvinist-Inspired Curriculum,” by Charles in the Calvinist Flyswatter blog, voicing concerns that the advisory committee for LifeWay’s “Gospel Project” is disproportionately loaded toward the Reformed perspective. (Some may also enjoy reading the “faux Tom Ascol” Twitter tweets on the right-hand side).
• “Conspiracy Theories and Wackadoodles in the SBC!” by Howell Scott in the From Law to Grace blog, calling for greater transparency, openness, and truth in the SBC, and less name-calling, obfuscation, and behind-the-scenes deals (and without being condescending and dismissive toward those who voice genuine concerns by marginalizing them as conspiracy theorists who are chasing “bogeymen”).
• “An Interview with William Thornton,” by William Thornton in SBC Plodder, with an interview of Rev. Thornton that evidences remarkable similarity to some interviews in SBC Today. It’s a good interview. You were on our list, William – really, you were!

About Ministry and Worship

• “Preaching: Conversational Stand-Up or Serious Gospel Exposition?” by Owen Strachan on his blog, citing Carl Trueman’s words about Martin Lloyd-Jones about serious gospel exposition. Be sure to follow the link in Strachan’s post to read Trueman’s entire article.
• “Are Some Commands in the Great Commission More Important than Others?” by Jason Duesing in the Theological Matters blog, citing a sermon by John A. Broadus on “The Duty of Baptists to Teach Their Distinctive Views,” that various aspects of ensuring church health are key components of fulfilling the Great Commission.
• “Cotton Candy Worship,” by Ed Steele in the Worship HeartCries blog, with a critique of shallow and ill-prepared worship leadership.

About the Personal Devotional Life

• “Devotional Thought: Mountaintop Memories and Valley Victories,” by Brad Whitt in his blog, with a devotional thought based in the account of Jesus and the inner circle of disciples in Mark 9:5.
• “Finding the Right Mate,” by Bryant Wright in the Pray4SBC blog, with six guidelines to consider if a potential mate is the right mate.
• “Buckets of Blessings,” by Waylon Bailey on his blog, with a reminder from Lamentations 3:22-23 of the faithfulness of God.

About Christians and Society

• “What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling,” by Al Mohler on his blog, critiquing the Obama administration “compromising” its policy requiring birth control being included in all health insurance policies, including those of religious organizations, but still requiring the coverage but making the insurance company cover the cost (and thus reflecting a profound naivete about how insurance companies recoup their costs).
• “President Obama’s ‘Compromise’ Does Not Cover Southern Baptists, by Denny Burk on his blog, reciting Guidestone Financial Resources President O. S. Hawkins’ response about the Obama administration decision requiring religious groups to have birth control coverage.
• “The Media’s Biased Coverage of Abortion,” and “Mollie Hemingway on Media Bias in Favor of Abortion,” by Denny Burk on his blog, documenting the media bias on the abortion issue, particularly reflected in the Komen/Planned Parenthood issue.
• “Why I Am Not a Libertarian,” by Bart Barber on the PraiseGod Barebones blog, explaining his objection to the Libertarian philosophy of government.