From Law to Grace » Archive
Of Aliens & Autonomy in New Mexico
For my first visit to the city of space aliens and UFOs, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived in Roswell, NM for this year’s annual meeting of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. I’m glad to report that the only space ship that I closely encountered was the flying saucer-shaped playland at the local McDonald’s. And, the only reason that I stopped for a quick meal there before leaving Roswell was the marquee which proudly advertised that the McRib was back. Boy, was it good, but I digress! This year’s meeting, graciously hosted by Pastor Matt Brooks and the good people of First Baptist Church of Roswell, was marked by inspirational preaching, great singing, and a sweet New Mexico Baptist spirit. This gathering of folk from Southern Baptist churches from all regions of the Land of Enchantment, the 5th largest state … Read entire article »
Filed under: Baptist Convention of New Mexico, Great Commission Resurgence, Southern Baptist Convention
Dissenting Voices in NC and Beyond!
What do Norman Jameson, soon-to-be-former editor of the Biblical Recorder, and Juan Williams, recently fired analyst for NPR, have in common? They both learned that dissenting from the party line will, sooner or later, mean that you are out of a job. What does it mean to dissent? To dissent is to disagree. However, if we say that someone is “dissenting,” it sounds much more ominous than to merely say that someone is disagreeing with us. Call it whatever you want, but dissenting voices — from Juan Williams to Norman Jameson — are being marginalized or silenced because those voices sometimes dare to speak out against the prevailing “wisdom” of the ruling establishment. At the same time that Williams, a ten-year employee of National Public Radio, was fired because of his allegedly insensitive remarks about flying on a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Freedom of Speech, Southern Baptist Convention
Slippery Slopes: Speech, Islam & NPR
“As the sled of what is considered offensive to Islam hurdles down the hill, plowing over the First Amendment as it goes, it is not a question if something else will be seen as offensive, but merely what will be seen as offensive. The next time, it may not be the Dove World Outreach Center. It may be you. Or me. Remember, the slippery slope starts somewhere!” From The Slippery Slope Starts Somewhere, published on 9/9/10 That didn’t take long. With the firing of Juan Williams, for allegedly anti-Muslim remarks, we are witnessing the continued assault on our First Amendment freedoms by radical Islamists and their liberal elite friends in the media and government. I knew that any direct or overt criticism of Islam (even the radical kind) would eventually be considered offensive and off-limits. (Of course, direct and … Read entire article »
Filed under: Freedom of Speech, Islam
NPR & the SBC: When Voices Are Silenced
I just read that one of my favorite liberals, Juan Williams, was fired from National Public Radio. For those who watch Mr. Williams on Fox News Channel (the many) as opposed to those who listen to him on NPR (the few), you will recognize that Juan Williams is no conservative. But, according to the liberal elites in this country, Mr. Williams committed the unpardonable sin. What was his offense, you might ask? He dared talk about Islam in a truthful, yet less than flattering, light. Mr. Williams, who is often a guest on The O’Reilly Factor, was asked by Bill O’Reilly whether or not he thought America was facing a “Muslim dilemma.” Williams dared to express agreement with the following statement made by Bill O’Reilly: “The cold truth is that in the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Civility, Freedom of Speech, Islam
Tim Tebow: Ridiculed & Blessed!
And He (Jesus) opened His mouth and taught them, saying: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:2-12 When you read or hear these words of Jesus, spoken in His most well-known recorded sermon — the Sermon on the Mount — how do they come across to you? I would probably not even be asking that question were it not for my New Testament and Revelation professor at Southern Seminary, Dr. James Blevins (now deceased). One day in class, Dr. Blevins began reading the Beatitudes … Read entire article »
Filed under: Sports