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

• “Baptist Sexuality Conference Is Misguided,” and “How Firm a Foundation,” by Luke Smith in an Associated Baptist Press opinion piece, arguing from within a CBF perspective that this conference represents not merely a discussion about different biblical interpretations, but ultimately challenges the inspiration and authority of Scripture.
• “Calvinism: New Research and a Discussion with Roger Olson and Michael Horton,” by Ed Stetzer in his blog, with statistical evidence (see the link to a January 2011 study summarized in a PowerPoint with more information, hyperlinked with “here,”) that among American evangelicals not only is Reformed theology not on the increase, but overwhelming majorities “strongly disagree” with its key doctrines (i.e., it diminishes God’s sovereignty to invite all persons to repent and believe, God elected people both to heaven and hell, Christ died just for the elect, God loves just the elect, I am a five point Calvinist, etc.). There is a link to a conversation with Against Calvinism author Roger Olson and For Calvinism author Michael Horton.
• “Interpreting the Old Testament,” by Randy Everist in the Possible Worlds blog, with an evaluation of applying a hermeneutic of principlism in interpreting the Old Testament.
• “Old Baptist Evangelistic Methods,” by Stephen Garrett in the Old Baptist blog, noting that public invitations were given in the early 1800s in Baptist churches in North Carolina.
• “Libertarian Free Will Is Biblical,” by Dan Chapa (Godismyjudge) in the Arminian Chronicles blog, presenting the Biblical case for libertarian free will as part of a debate with the blogger who goes by the name Turretinfan.
• “John Piper on God Ordaining All Sin and Evil, Part 1,” by Ben Henshaw in the SEA blog, critiquing Piper’s claim that God deterministically causes and sends all evil and suffering.
• “How New Calvinism Works, Parts 1 and 2,” by Paul in the Paul’s Thoughts blog, with a lengthy explanation and critique of the new Calvinism with audio and charts.
  

About Issues in the SBC

• “Mars Hill and Authoritarianism Run Amok,” by Howell Scott in the From Law to Grace blog, with stunning revelations and allegations of spiritual abuse from refugees from Mars Hill church in Seattle about the dictatorial control of pastor Mark Driscoll.
• “Dr. Bryant Wright on the SBC Name Change, Part 1,” a Skype interview of Wright by Jonathan Akin in the Baptist 21 blog, with Wright’s perspective on the SBC name change process and recommendation.

• “SBC Evangelism: Hiding in a Locked Room for Fear of Men?” by Jared Moore in the SBC Voices blog, with a powerful call to get outside our churches into the world to proclaim the crucified and risen Christ.
• “Looking at Insider Movements – Introduction,” “Key Characteristics, Part 1,” “Key Characteristics, Part 2, Evaluation: Part 1” and “Part 2,” by Doug Coleman in the Between the Times blog, with a discussion of the controversial missiological methodology called the “Insider Movement,” which closely identifies with the person’s source religion in seeking to share Christ. Coleman’s dissertation was on this subject, and these articles explain this important new methodology and critique it. This is an important issue in SBC missiology.

About Ministry and Worship

• “Shaka Smart and How Athletic Coaching Is Like Pastoring,” by Owen Strachan in his blog, nothing how ministers can learn from some of the personal qualities of VUC basketball coach Shaka Smart.
• “Ego autos anthropos eimi!,” by Doug Hibbard in the SBC Voices blog, with a reminder that we ministers are merely human, and we should not seek flattery and praise beyond our position.
• “Seven Ways Leaders Regain Their Drive,” by Thom Rainer in his blog, with a list of keys that he has found in interviews with leaders about how when they lost their drive they regained it.
• “Is There Enough Gospel in Modern Sermons to Save?” by Wade Burleson in his blog, reflecting on B. H. Carroll’s appreciation for Spurgeon’s preaching and calling modern ministers to include adequate gospel content in their messages.
• “Is Your Church Safe for Singles?” by Renee Johnson Fisher in the catalystspace blog, raising consciousness of how receptive churches are to single adults.
• “Staffing for Success, Part 1” and “Part 2,” by Randy Stone in the Pursuing Ministry Excellence blog, with prudent guidelines about attracting a cohesive and effective church staff team.
• “The Benefits of Expository Preaching,” by Jeff Manning in the Helwys Society Forum, with an affirmation of the positive results of the use of expository preaching in the church.

About the Personal Devotional Life

• “Overcoming Rejection,” by Bryant Wright in the Pray4SBC blog, with four reminders about how to deal with rejection constructively.
• “Refreshing Fire,” by Brad Whitt in his blog, with a devotional thought based in Psalm 39:3 about the need for investing time in spiritual reflection.
• “Titanic – What Really Went Down in Eternity,” by Fletcher Law in the Fletcher Law and Grace Ministries blog, with an interesting story about a minister compelling people to faith as the Titanic was sinking.

About Christians and Society

• “Obamacare’s Contract Problem,” by George Will in the Washington Post, commenting on a case made against Obamacare by an amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court arguing that Obamacare violates the basic principles of contract law.
• “An Example of Media Bias on the Healthcare Mandate,” by Denny Burk on his blog, with an example of how the media uses language that subtly strengthens the pro-mandate position and weakens the anti-mandate position.
• “Blue Like Jazz: Review and the Art of War,” by Marty Duren in the Kingdom in the Midst blog, with a review of the Steve Taylor movie based on the controversial Don Miller book by the same name. Duren offers perspective on the movie and compares it with the more overtly Christian movie Courageous.
• “Blue Like Jazz: The Movie,” by Mike Cosper in the Gospel Coalition blog, with perspective on the cultural implications of the new movie based on Don Miller’s controversial book by the same name.