Author Archive
One Pastor’s Analysis of the GCRTF Report
Posted by: | CommentsThere are various analysis of the GCRTF report. Some are saying things that the report has not said while others are merely expressing degrees of agreement and disagreement. The following analysis is merely one pastor of 40,000 that has read the report and considers the recommendations. I want to begin by saying that I agree we as the SBC need to do something. Thus, I am not against the need to look at what we are doing and realign things that need realigning. I am excited that we are doing this and I look forward to being a part of the changes that may come. I offer the following, not as a critic of the work of the committee, but as a concerned pastor.
The first recommendation presents a call for all Southern Baptist to rally around a new vision statement. It should be a vision to fulfill the Great Commission and we should have it clearly defined. The statement includes the word “Missional” which seems to be a buzz word among the younger pastors. We now have it in a vision statement even though there is no clearl definition of the word. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF)has been using this term for years. According to this blog they have been using “missional” to express a holistic ministry. For the CBF one would read the term “missional” to express a “social gospel” ministry. Our GCRTF has presented the statement; “As a convention of churches, our Missional vision is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.”
A couple of observations: first, as I stated above, there needs to be a clear definition of “Missional” before we can adopt this statement. Some years in the past I rode with Dr. Ed Stetzer from his hotel to the conference site where he was about to make a presentation. I asked him about this word as Dr. Stetzer is the one credited with the introduction of this word in the vernacular of Southern Baptist. He told me that Evangelicals were now using the word to mean most anything. Second, this vision statement could be used by any evangelical denomination. The Methodist, Presbyterians, Lutherans, even the the non-Christian sect, the Mormons could adopt the vision statement without clearly defining the terms. I believe there needs to be some definitions clearly communicated in the report coming in May and the statement would sit well using the word “baptizing” in some portion. The Great Commission Resurgence without “baptize” is really, not completing the Great Commission.
Chapel Message at SWBTS
Posted by: | CommentsThe follo
wing link is to the Chapel Message delivered at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on 2-25-2010. Dr. Hunt faithfully delivered the Word of God something he holds dear in his life. I encourage you to hear his message with an open mind and heart as he expresses how God used his recent bout with cancer. Dr. Hunt brings a message from Psalm 19. What a great example of Biblical exposition.
SWBTS Chapel Message 2-25-2010–Dr Johnny Hunt
Streaming Audio: The Cost of Following Christ
Posted by: | CommentsWhen I surrendered to Christ in 1988 someone asked me if I had counted the cost. As a new Christian I responded that I had, but in reality I could not know exactly what the cost was of following Jesus. I knew that I had surrendered to Him and it made no difference to me what the cost was, in my reputation or what others said about me.
When you are saved out of a Muslim culture and religion it is more difficult than it is for someone like me. The only danger I ever had to concern myself with was the laughs and jeers of my drinking buddies. To one that is saved out of a Muslim culture and religion their lives are placed in jeopardy.
Holy Subversion–Part One
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Rev. Trevin Wax has released the book Holy Subversion. I have the privilege of reviewing this book and it is very exciting and humbling to be asked to do this. Rev. Wax is the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee. You can find him blogging at www.trevinwax.com. I have decided to make this an eight part review due to the reason I explain in Part One.
One of the honors that I have serving at SBC Today is the occasional book review that comes my way. It not only allows me to increase my library free of charge, but it also challenges me as I filter the thoughts of others. Some books become boring and monotonous after the introduction and do nothing to challenge your thinking. Others hold your attention but are not logically presented and because of their illogical movement presents a challenge to the reader to remember what the writer is trying to communicate. Holy Subversion by Trevin Wax is one book that not only challenges the reader but it also reads very logically.
When beginning a book I always attack the project in the following manner; Table of Contents, publisher information, endorsements, forward, and either last chapter, or concluding thoughts. Trevin Wax does not disappoint me in my reading schedule. He provides a clear Forward and an outstanding summary of his purpose in the Afterward. He says in the Afterward: “The main thrust of this book has been a call to reclaiming the subversive nature of Christian discipleship.”(p.149) It was that statement that invigorated my discipleship juices and gave me the idea of using this book in my current one-on-one discipleship class. I am currently meeting once a week with a brother in a mentoring type of relationship. I decided to work through this book with him. Because of using this book in this relationship, I have decided not to do a one time book review but an ongoing chapter-by-chapter review. Thus, begins part one of an eight part series reviewing Holy Subversion.
The forward does not disappoint as Dr. Ed Stetzer presents his wordsmith qualities to set you up to read the book. Dr. Stetzer does, this writer believes, get carried away trying to present statistics about today’s Christians. He uses a Barna research, his own research, and Dr. Brad Waggoner’s research all within three paragraphs. (p.13-14) It makes the reader say: ‘ok enough of the research stats already’. It appears, to this reviewer, in Dr. Stetzer’s desire to bring us to the point of the book, he forgets he is doing a forward for Trevin Wax. But, he eventually brings the reader to the book’s objective and directs one’s attention to Wax’s purpose of expressing and living out Jesus is Lord.
As the author begins the first chapter much groundwork is presented. This reviewer likes the way the author clearly presents his thesis. Wax clearly states his thesis in a question; “…how can we as communities of faith live in a way that subverts the “Caesars” that rule people around us…and seek to rule us too?” (p.26) The author moves on to identify, what he describes in the Afterward as “a handful of rivals to Christ’s Lordship”. (p.149)
Some areas of disagreement I have with the author may seem to be minor for some but for others it may be an issue. Personally these areas would not present an issue for this reviewer, it just helps to keep in perspective the bias of the author. First, the reader is given a clue to the writer’s soteriological bend in the very beginning of the first chapter. Wax, in expressing how the early church lived out “true Christianity” as being “not merely life-changing” but “world-changing” (emphasis Wax) seems to reveal a reformed soteriology. He says; “The gospel message was less about inviting Jesus into their hearts and more about people being invited into the kingdom community that represents God’s heart for the world”. (p.24) The statement give the appearance that the early church invited people into the church and not a personal relationship with Christ. I believe the author would have been wise to avoid this comparison. It is as if the author downplays the importance of a personal entrance into the Kingdom in favor of a communal entrance. One other area of disagreement hinges around the importance of communities of faith living passionately for Christ. Do not mis-read this reviewer, as he is not saying he disagrees with living passionately for Christ in a community of faith. However, Wax says; “So, how can we as communities of faith live in a way that subverts the “Caesars” that rule people around us…and seek to rule us too”? (p.26) The disagreement that this reviewer has is that God calls us to live passionately for him privately and then corporately. By focusing on how we corporately live passionately Wax seems to be directing our focus on the wrong objective. If our main focus is a passionate love of Jesus in our private arena then that spills over into our corporate community of faith.
The areas of agreement I have with this first chapter are too numerous to mention. I would, however, like to call attention to a few. First, Wax clearly defines what he means by “subversion” through giving the reader various definitions and then claiming the one he uses for the book. His definition for the book is “pushing something back down into its proper place”. (p.26) He presents that these areas of our life are not bad, in and of themselves, but need to be pushed back down under the control of Jesus. Second, Wax clearly lists the areas of our life that become Caesars. He lists the Caesar of self, success, money, leisure, sex, and power as being those that most commonly battle for complete control over our lives. Third, Wax teases the reader as he lists these various Caesars. He briefly describes each Caesar and leaves the reader aware that each one will become more detailed in the chapters to come.
One Caesar this reviewer especially appreciates him presenting is the Caesar of sex. With this Caesar, Wax presents three ways Christian communities can subvert this idol. (p.30-31) First, for singles there should be a commitment to “a life of chastity (a life of purity) not merely abstinence.” Second, the community must celebrate “sex within marriage” which translates into a covenant marriage. Third, Wax encourages Christian communities to stop separating sex from procreation. When this reviewer first read that statement it was a little daunting, but as one reads Wax’s next sentence one sees his point. He says; “We will foster a church culture that celebrates large families and sees children as a gift from God.” How many times does one hear Christians in the church joke about the couple that has four to six children? Large families have become the abnormal standard now and small families are the ones celebrated. This reviewer has not read Wax’s completely developed chapter on the Caesar of Sex, but one does look forward to a fully developed theology of child bearing in that chapter. If there isn’t one this reader will be greatly disappointed.
Just the Forward and Chapter 1 have been covered in this review. If this is any indication of how the rest of the book is packaged then this will be an enjoyable read. However, the readability of the book is not the only purpose of this reviewers interest. This reviewer will also review the chapters to come on each chapter’s ability to develop the disciple. Looking forward to the journey.
Kenneth Starr To lead Baylor
Posted by: | CommentsIt appears that Baylor will name Kenneth Starr, former special prosecutor, to lead Baylor. We point you to the Associated Baptist Press article for this information. We add that no one from Baylor has confirmed these reports. According to the Waco Tribune, Starr has said he will join a Baptist Church after he is employed at Baylor.
If this is the case then we will have an Evangelical with a Church of Christ background leading a Baptist institution. I must admit, Texas Baptist seemingly appreciate their scriptural doctrine as they like their food, all mixed up. Once again we have another church member becoming a Baptist because of convenience. I wish Dr. Kenneth Starr the best, but this is another example of becoming a Baptist because it suits a particular need instead of it being a conviction of the soul.
Honoring a Hero
Posted by: | CommentsMy nephew, Josh Cash, served in Iraq and has now finished his tour of duty. He fought so that we could be free to debate on the blogs and enjoy the various freedoms we have in America. I praise God for those who serve in our military and place their life on the line every day.
Josh had a close friend that was with him in school at East Carolina University, Sgt. David Smith. He was called back to active duty to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Sgt. Smith made the ultimate sacrifice in order for you and me to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy. I ask that you take time to pray for Sgt. Smith’s family and view the link to the quote below and read the comments. You can read his obituary here. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. Let’s speak words of encouragement to all who serve in our military in order that you and I can be free. That is what we open our comment section for today.
Sgt. David Smith, USMCR, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Company B., died of injuries suffered in an attack last week in Afghanistan. The 25-year-old Marine died Tuesday, 26 Jan 2010 after evac to Germany. Military officials related Sgt. Smith was wounded in a bombing Saturday in Helmand province that killed at least two others from his company. DoD Official Release is still pending.
This young hero’s family has reached out to the Patriot Guard Riders and asked us to honor his service and sacrifice. It will be an honor to show our respect. Funeral Services will be in Frederick Maryland and interment at Arlington National Cemetery, with dates and times to be determined.
Our most heartfelt condolences to the family of this young Warrior. He was only a month shy of his 26th birthday and by all accounts loved his family, his community and his Corps. Our Nation, State and local communities are poorer with his loss.
Official DoD release:
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. David J. Smith, 25, of Frederick, Md., died Jan. 26 from wounds received Jan. 23 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Who is More Lost?
Posted by: | CommentsAfter reading Ephesians 2:1 again for the umpteenth thousandth time it was like reading it for the first time. Ephesians 2:1–”and you he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. Do you realize that lost means dead? It means that we were once dead and God, through the atoning blood of Jesus made us one with him and we were born again, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we were raised from the dead to walk in a new life. Excuse me while I shout and throw a hymn book. 
We seem to have advanced the debate of a Great Commission Resurgence to deciding who is more lost. If you remember Dr. Mohler made a motion at the 2009 SBC in Louisville that a committee be formed; ” concerning how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission.” (Item #12, P.57) This motion has produced debates that range from the state conventions being “bloated and bureaucratic at every level” to the task force being organized in order to find ways to keep younger pastors from abandoning the SBC. Now, one on the GCRTF seems to expand this motion with the idea that a name change is needed in order to reach the lost.
Abortion Violence must STOP!!!
Posted by: | CommentsAt the outset of this article I want to say clearly that I abhor the medical procedure that is called “abortion”. I abhor it because it is the taking of a human life. Life is precious and is in the hands of our Creator God to determine when it begins and when it ends. I abhor abortion so much that after I was married, Gail and I went to her Gynecologist and expressed our concern about the birth control pill she had prescribed. We spoke to her and told her our convictions and she changed Gail’s prescription to a drug that was not an abortafacia.
During this time of the year we are reminded of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. This decision legalized abortion in America and the debate has been zealously argued every since. I stand firmly that we should not take the life of an unborn child in the womb of his/her mother. That is a human being in that womb it is not a potential human being. Abortions in the first trimester vary in techniques. One common technique is the Suction Aspiration. In this technique we are told: “Great care must be taken to prevent the uterus from being punctured during this procedure, which may cause hemorrhage and necessitate further surgery. Also, infection can easily develop if any fetal or placental tissue is left behind in the uterus. This is the most frequent post-abortion complication.” This is one of four various techniques used in the first trimester. You can read about the others here. This violence to the unborn we have legalized in the first trimester must stop.
In the second and third trimester chemical and surgical procedures are used in combination to extract the baby from his/her mother. These procedures vary. During the chemical procedure technique the physician would inject a harsh saline solution or/and other chemicals into the amniotic sac thus causing death to the infant and promoting premature birth before the baby has the chance to live. The surgical procedures range from Partial Birth Abortions (which are exactly what they sound like; see here for a graphic detail) to a Hysteronomy (which is basically a Caesarean Section used after the chemical abortion has failed). The violence to the unborn we have legalized in the second and third trimester must Stop.
In Kansas there is a case in which a judge has ruled Scott Roeder, the man accused of murdering Dr. George Tiller, will be able to argue his case was an act of voluntary manslaughter. Voluntary manslaughter is defined in Kansas as one having “an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force.” Roeder, believed that his actions were required in order to put an end to partial birth abortions performed by the Kansas physician he is accused of killing. My heart breaks for Mr. Roeder if he truly believes his deadly force was justified. I would like to take our readers to the events that led to this trial. According to the Associated Press;
The facts of the case are not in dispute: On a balmy Sunday morning, Roeder got up from a pew at Wichita’s Reformation Lutheran Church at the start of services and walked to the foyer, where Tiller and a fellow usher were chatting. Wordlessly, he pressed the barrel of a .22-caliber handgun to Tiller’s forehead and pulled the trigger.
If these are the facts of the case no one has a right to place the barrel of any gun to the head of any living human being, pulling the trigger to end his/her life, especially in church. It seems that if Mr. Roeder truly believed his actions would prevent further abortions from being performed,after he used deadly force, he would have remained at the church until the police arrived. Instead he took of running and allegedly pointed his weapon at those chasing him trying to subdue him. If preachers are silent on the facts of a murder in the vestibule of a church, then we are hypocrites. We cannot publicly condemn abortion procedures, especially the partial birth procedures, and remain silent when one takes the laws into their own hands to become judge, jury, and executioner. This is just as much abortion violence as partial birth abortion and it too must Stop.
Biblically Centered, Distinctively Baptist
Posted by: | CommentsIn a day when some want to remove Baptist from our names and even distance ourselves from the name “Southern Baptist”, we have a college that is making strides to do otherwise. Truett-McConnell made great strides at their last trustee meeting to bring their faculty under accountability and strengthen their relationship with Southern Baptists. Thank God for the leadership of a Board of Trustees that is not afraid to step forward and boldly confess they believe in the inerrancy of the Word of God and that they are Baptists.
Enjoy the article from the Christian Index.
What Is The Great Commission?
Posted by: | CommentsIn an attempt to answer such a question one must return to the statement that brought about the term. That statement is found in Matthew 28:18-20. One would not, I believe, impose a personal perspective by adding Acts 1:8 into this mix as we examine these two various readings in order to determine the marks of the Great Commission being fulfilled. The doorway that enters this examination should be the biblical principles found in Scripture. The door handle that opens this door to our examining room is the historical examples from church history and the hinges that this door swings on is modern day methods.
The scriptural authority for the Great Commission. Of course we all know that the scriptural authority calls for us to take the gospel into all of the world. With that in mind there needs to be two questions answered. Read More→
