From Law to Grace » Entries tagged with "Great Commission Resurgence"
Power Plays & Moves to Oppress Dissent in the SBC!
“If I see the kind of power plays and moves to oppress dissent that I saw back then, maybe I will go back to war.” (“Why I’m Retiring from (Battle) Blogging,”) by Dave Miller, Editor of SBC Voices) No truer words could be spoken. But, I suppose at the end of the day, when “your side” wins and your theological heroes have consolidated their power, then you can have the luxury of laying down your sword and walking away from “Battle Blogging.” Of course, by writing this post (and similar ones which are sure to come), I will be accused of engaging in this so-called “Battle Blogging.” I say “so-called” because the marker which has been laid down within the Southern Baptist Convention by establishment leaders and their supporters is one which brokers no dissent on major … Read entire article »
Filed under: Autonomy, Blogging, Christianity, Evangelism, Freedom of Speech, Great Commission Baptists, Great Commission Resurgence, Religion, SBC Name Change, Southern Baptist Convention
Tweets of SBC Elites & What They Reveal
I confess that I have a Twitter account — you can follow me @fromlaw2grace (shameless promotional plug). The only tweets that you will find are the ones about my latest From Law to Grace blog posts. Apart from that, I can honestly say that I have never once posted a tweet that I have composed. Quite frankly, I don’t get Twitter. Yes, it is another means of communication in our ever-increasing social media, youth-oriented culture (at-large and in the SBC/GCB). There are pastors and Convention leaders who skillfully use Twitter to get out a particular message. But, for every good use of Twitter, there is the temptation to succumb to a narcissistic personality that cries to be unleashed. It seems that most of the SBC’s movers and shakers — from entity heads to megachurch pastors — have a Twitter account. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Baptist Convention of New Mexico, Christianity, Great Commission Resurgence, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention
Affinities, Alliances & Agendas in the SBC: Part 2
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
Affinities, Alliances & Agendas in the SBC: Part 1
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
I’m Shocked, Shocked at the Politics in the SBC!
Rick: How can you close me up? On what grounds? Captain Renault: I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! [a croupier hands Renault a pile of money] Croupier: Your winnings, sir. Captain Renault: [sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much. [aloud] Captain Renault: Everybody out at once! (Casablanca, 1942) Just as Captain Renault, in the 1942 classic, Casablanca, was not truly shocked that gambling was going on in Rick’s (Humphrey Bogart) establishment, neither should it come as a shock to anyone that politics is going on in the Southern Baptist Convention. Such has been the case since the SBC’s founding in 1845 and such will be the case until the Convention’s demise. Such is life. As a political science major in college, former attorney, and student of politics, religion, and culture, I have an appreciation … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christianity, Politics, Religion, Southern Baptist Convention