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Affinities, Alliances & Agendas in the SBC: Part 2

February 17th, 2012 | 1 Comment

Let’s face it.  Some folks are easier to like than others.  For some of my fellow Southern Baptists, I am one of those folks!  When it comes to cooperative missions and ministry in the 21st Century, simply being “Southern Baptist” is no longer sufficient to bind us together even though it is the most efficient avenue to fulfill the Great Commission.  While we might sing “bless be the tie that binds” (at least those who know it) and give the right answer to who should ultimately bind us – JESUS — we know from personal experience that voluntary partnership and cooperation must be based on a shared mission, vision, goals, and beliefs.  However, even that is not always enough to bind us together.  What Southern Baptists must possess, in addition to these four areas, is an … Read entire article »

Filed under: Calvinism, Great Commission Resurgence, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention

Baptist Press: The CNN of the Baptist World!

February 16th, 2012 | 17 Comments

When I was in law school at Florida State University, CNN was THE 24-hour cable news outlet.  In fact, it was the only such cable news source at the time.  When Operation Desert Storm commenced on January 17, 1991, I was glued to CNN for all the live, front-line news from Kuwait.  In July 1994, shortly before moving with my wife to Louisville to begin our studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I recovered from wisdom teeth surgery by watching the Pre-trial hearing in the O.J. Simpson murder case.  Later on, I would be sitting in our basement apartment at the Seminary Guest House watching CNN’s live coverage of the ”not guilty” verdict (which doesn’t necessarily mean “innocent”) when it was handed down.  As a major political junkie, I would stay up into the wee hours of the night every … Read entire article »

Filed under: Religion, Southern Baptist Convention

Affinities, Alliances & Agendas in the SBC: Part 1

February 15th, 2012 | 15 Comments

Affinity: 1.  a natural liking for or attraction to a person, thing, idea, etc.; 2.  a person, thing, idea, etc., for which such a natural liking or attraction is felt.; 3.  relationship by marriage or by ties other than those of blood ( distinguished from consanguinity).; 4.  inherent likeness or agreement; close resemblance or connection. (Dictionary.com) In the title for this post, I was tempted to use the word “Identity” in place of “Affinity.”  It would have conveyed almost the same thoughts, but some — perhaps many — would have gotten hung up on that one little word and not been able to understand what it is that I am trying to say.  I don’t mind the word “identity.”  In fact, I’ve been accused by some of being a Baptist Identity kind of guy.  On Jared Moore’s … Read entire article »

Filed under: Blogging, Calvinism, Ergun Caner, Great Commission Resurgence, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention

Conspiracy Theories & Wackadoodles in the SBC!

February 9th, 2012 | 12 Comments

What do the Gospel Project and the Great Commission Resurgence have in common with Roswell Aliens, JFK’s assassination, Area 51, 9/11 Truthers, and Obama Birthers?  If you guessed that each has at least one conspiracy theory attached to it, then you probably know more about conspiracy theories than you should.  You see, someone who believes in that many conspiracy theories could probably be classified as a wackadoodle.  I like that word.  I’d never heard of the word wackadoodle (aka nut jobs, lunatics, crazies, etc.) until my Student Pastor, Jon, used it to describe a man he once worked with in ministry.  I’ve heard of some strange teachings and doctrines — although usually not in Southern Baptist churches — but this man’s teachings would qualify him to be known as a certifiable wackadoodle.  And believe me.  No one wants … Read entire article »

Filed under: Politics, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention

The Proliferation of “Yes Men” in the SBC

February 7th, 2012 | 7 Comments

Yes Man: a person who agrees with everything that is said; especially: one who endorses or supports without criticism every opinion or proposal of an associate or superior (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) Throughout recorded history, we have always had “yes men” (and women too), those people who simply refused to ask any questions — much less the hard questions — of those in leadership.  Given our human nature, that is completely understandable.  After all, who wants to be seen as “difficult” or “divisive?”  Those who dare to ask any questions often find themselves not only with less benefits, but also on the outside looking in.  Not an enviable position to be in, to be sure. Perhaps because of my legal background but, more likely because of my personal upbringing, I have never been accused of being a … Read entire article »

Filed under: Christianity, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention

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