SBC Tomorrow

One More River to Cross

I had almost forgotten about this CD I bought several years ago, a fading genre of Gospel Blues.  A great piece by Shack of Peasants.  Unfortunately, on the video, I put "Peasant Shack".  I suppose my old age continues to haunt me.  Enjoy...

A New Kind of Christian: The Emergent Church: Part IV

    Continuing with our review of The New Christians:  Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier (TNC)* by emergent (EC) author, Tony Jones, we'll note briefly an idea that comes up more than once in TNC, the idea that being EC is decidedly humble in nature.

A New Kind of Christian: The Emergent Church: Part III

   Jones begins chapter two with a fairly interesting parable about a young couple who leaves the protection of the family estate back east and, because of an insatiable adventurous spirit, travels to the western frontier looking for their fulfillment.  I dare not give the tale away to those who will read "The New Christians" (TNC).  The parable's purpose cannot be hard to guess, however.   

"A Hill On Which To Kill": The Exit Strategy of Ben Cole

     On June 6th, the week before the SBC met in Indianapolis in June of this year, Ben Cole, notorious gadfly of all things Paige Patterson, posted his publication schedule of convention matters at SBCOutpost to the predictable accolades of his routine supporters.  One exhorted:  "Keep involved and keep writing, keep twisting our tails and keep making us mad, keep telling the truth and keep pointing to where the skunk odor emits the awful smell, keep being Jeremiah.  And another:  "Ben, glad you will be there to let us know what really is going on." 

By the convention's start, however, Cole had his own groupies gnawing their fingernails:  "Hmmm … it’s Sunday; still no other articles. Was the whole thing a joke? I was actually hoping to see some of that stuff"..."Well, son, if you’re gonna keep us up to date you’re gonna have to do better than this." 

A New Kind of Christianity with a New Kind of Christian: Exploring the Emergent Church: Part II

We were introduced to The New Christians (TNC) and its author, Tony Jones, in our first post. Since 2001, "emergent" (EC) has been the official self-designation and preferred socio-religious title to this movement within the church.  We continue our review with looking briefly at chapter one entiled, "Leaving The Old Country" (pp.1-30).

Jones' writing style is very interesting.  He soaks the pages of his book with a never ending reservoir of personal stories and experiences that captivate his audience.   

A New Kind of Christianity with a New Kind of Christian: Exploring the Emergent Church

       Last year when the hullabaloo disrupted over Missouri Baptist, Roger Moran and his critique of emergent Christianity became news, I mentioned on several sites my own let's-just-wait-and-see-attitude about this phenomenon.  A year or so later, while I knew little about the Emerging, Emergent Church (hereafter EC) then, I barely know but a wee bit more now.  I am trying, though.  Be patient. 

A good will effort toward making more sense out of EC is the current volume I'm working through--The New Christians:  Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier by EC leader, Tony Jones.  According to many, next to Brian McLaren, Jones may be the most respected voice in the movement.  North Park University professor and New Testament scholar, Scot McKnight writes:

Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue: A Brief Critique: Dr. David Dockery

    In continuing with the series on the papers for the Building Bridges Conference, collected together by LifeWay and published as Calvinism: A Southern Baptist Dialogue, I want to summarize Dr. David Dockery's contribution entitled "Southern Baptists and Calvinism:  A Historical Look" (pp. 29-46), followed by a brief response. Dr. Dockery is President of Union University, Jackson, Tennessee.  He is a prolific author and accomplished historical theologian.   

God and Country: Are Patriotic Services Pleasing to God?

   One may note a few posts scattered about this week pertaining to patriotism, God and country, bearing American flags in Church buildings, and observing themes in Sunday services expressing patriotic allegiance.  Some suggest patriotic services are unwise at best and idolatry at worst. While one cringes at the notion of patriotic hymns, another apparently becomes increasingly uncomfortable in worship with allusion to any thanksgiving for freedom or honor to our servicemen/women.  A staffer at a Church where I served as Interim walked out during a worship hour themed toward patriotism.

I've got to say, I'm entirely perplexed by what I consider shallow reasoning in the objections usually brought forth.

Witness to the Truth by Louis Moore: A Brief Review

   

The name, Louis Moore, is not new to Southern Baptists.  Nor, in fact, is his name stranger to religion in general in the United States. 

A veteran religious journalist exceeding four decades, Moore may be best known, at least in Southern Baptist circles, as one of the major journalists of the Conservative Resurgence that began among the nation's largest Protestant denomination in 1979.  Indeed, as Moore writes his perspective in the Prologue, "View from the Skybox,"

Down in the River to Pray

      

   
  There was a time in recent memory when both the Ordinance of Baptism and Ordinance of the Lord's Supper were considered sacred moments in the life of the Church.  Sadly, too much I sense both have been reduced to showtime.  Stage lights for the Supper and dramatic video for the symbolic burial and resurrection replace the reverence of obeying our Lord's command, memorializing our gracious redemption...

With that, I am...

Peter

 

HyperCalvinism vs. "Functional" HyperCalvinism

    Ed Stetzer, the presently reigning official numbers champ (for everything Southern Baptist) is the successor of Thom Rainer who was the successor of George Barna who was the successor of George Gallup, Jr.  If you're old enough, you'll recall the notable phrase, "a new Gallup poll reveals..."  Now you know my age!

The Great Commission Resurgence: Biblical Mandate or Baptist Movement? Part II

      The locus classicus impetus for global gospelizing is found in Matthew's record of Jesus' departing words: 

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:18-20).