Southern Baptist Bloggers & News

2008-02-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

Links December 2007

2007-12-20T13:45:00.001-05:00

Check out the new SBC Voices

Mp3 - Brad Waggoner on Calvinism, the Gospel and the SBC

2007-09-07T21:08:00.000-04:00

Listen to the Said At Southern Podcast with Dr. Brad Waggoner who serves as Vice President for research at LifeWay.

Thom Rainer + Building Bridges

2007-08-18T00:40:00.000-04:00

Dr. Thom Rainer from LifeWay news release:

My passionate desire is to be a bridge builder in the Southern Baptist Convention. Not to compromise biblically. Not to be soft in my theology. I desire true collaboration with those of uncompromising biblical certitude to reach a lost world with the gospel of our Savior. My prayer is that the conservative resurgence will now grow into a Great Commission resurgence.

But our witness is compromised when a spiritually lost world sees us fighting with one another, when they see unloving words hurled without restraint, when they see terse comments cloaked in civility - when they see little evidence of Christian love.

Would you pray with me that the world will see us as men and women who love the Lord with all of our hearts, and who love one another? Will you be a part of the conversation that shifts from negativity to Great Commission obedience?

Small Church Conference

2007-07-23T23:26:00.001-04:00

Les Puryear is hosing a conference for small church pastors. Find the details on his website.

Give Glory To Man

2007-07-19T14:11:00.000-04:00

Les Puryear has written an important article about our desire to give man the glory rather than God. He writes:

Why is it that supposedly mature Christians succumb to the applause of men? The Bible teaches that God is the only one who is good. No man is good, no, not one. If a man does anything that glorifies God, it is because God has caused Him to do so. So why do we honor men for what God has done? ... How do we honor men for what God has done? Let me count the ways...or at least some of them.

* Naming seminary or church buildings after venerated preachers, professors, members, or donors. ...
* Building museums to evangelists who were but messengers of the God who supernaturally regenerates every heart that turns to Christ. The glory belongs to God.
* Honoring churches and their pastors for rapid growth instead of Christ who adds to the church as He sees fit. The glory belongs to God.
* The selling of packaged biblical principles revealed by God for the edification of His people. No human being has a copyright on the revelation of God. It should be shared freely and equally to build up His people for His glory.

I think this last point deserves serious consideration. With the rise of the new media it makes distribution costs almost nil. It is only a matter of time before ideas like this gain momentum.

3 Videos From The New Attitude Conference - Albert Mohler and Mark Dever

2007-07-17T23:53:00.000-04:00

3 Videos From The New Attitude Conference from Albert Mohler and Mark Dever.

Mark Dever On The Gospel

Albert Mohler On Discernment

Albert Mohler speaking at the New Attitude Conference On the Topic Of Sex

Southeastern Seminary Bloggers

2007-07-13T22:40:00.000-04:00

Said at Southeastern Seminary - an index of bloggers from Southeastern Seminary.

Said at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a unoffical index of student, alumni and faculty blogs related to the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We have three goals for this site:

1. Foster community through online connections.
2. Promote the many excellent writers represented in our index.
3. Raise the profile of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as an institution like no other - actively reaching out to the world by spreading the Gospel.

Interview - Dr. Tom Schreiner On Penal Substitution

2007-07-06T07:27:00.000-04:00

Who said Southern Baptists were not interested in Theology?

I hope that recent robust defenses of penal substitution will help us to see afresh that penal substitution is the heart of the gospel. Every generation must relearn and re-teach the gospel afresh. The fear is that heresy might spread among our generation.

Read this interview on penal substitution with Dr. Tom Schreiner. Dr. Tom Schreiner is the Associate Dean and professor of New Testament at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY). He is the author of numerous books including Paul: Apostle of God's Glory in Christ and a contributor to The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views.

9 Marks Newsletter for July - August 2007

2007-06-27T23:06:00.000-04:00

9News, July/August 2007

Editor’s Note: "Until this world is ended, the gospel will be challenged from places high and low. It will be tweaked and twisted, denounced and denied. And most fundamentally, Christ calls local churches—not seminaries, not presbyteries, not synods, not theologians, not publishers, and not even eJournals—to defend the gospel." More>>

PDF version of July/August 9News

CHALLENGES TO THE GOSPEL
The Therapeutic Gospel
By David Powlison

Brian McLaren and the Gospel of Here & Now
By Greg Gilbert

Satanism, Starbucks, and Other Gospel Challenges
A 9Marks Interview with David Wells

Leaving Home, Returning Home
By Michael Lawrence

The Devil’s Favorite Domino—the Penal in Penal Substitution
By Jonathan Leeman

Gospel Coalition Travelogue
By Michael McKinley

Book Review: The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views
Edited by James Beilby and Paul R. Eddy
Reviewed by Greg Gilbert

2007 Nation Founder's Ministry Conference

2007-06-27T01:23:00.000-04:00

2007 Nation Founder's Ministry Conference at Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso, Oklahoma - June 26-29, 2007

Pictures from the preacher paparazzi

Blog Articles:

NFC V: David Wells on “Preaching the Cross in the Modern World”
Hoping for More Than a Conference
Founders Conference, Day 2 session 2 by Frank Turk
NFC: 6/26/07 evening session
National Founder's Conference (NFC) Session One: D...
‘Morning SunshineJune 27th, 2007 . by Joe Thorn
NFC IV: Raymond Perron on “Preaching the Gospel in a Secular Culture”
NFC III: Tom Ascol on “Founders Ministries, Theology, and the Current SBC”
NFC Photo Bundle 1
Live Bloggin Founders Conference Just in case anyone out there was not aware, Timmy Brister is live blogging the 2007 Annual National Founders Conference. Also, Joe Thorn is providing some “Founders Fresh” insights here. Follower of The Way - http://sosipater.wordpress.com
John MacArthur, Albert Mohler Injured By “Conference Paparazzi .. During the third day of the 2007 Founders Conference, a slight scare occurred when conference speakers John MacArthur and Albert Mohler suffered minor injuries after a small “paparazzi” literally stampeded over the two scholars. ... What?..Um - http://whatum.com
NFC II: David Wells on “Preaching the Truth of Christology for the Modern Age”
TeamPyro @ FCON
Dr. David Wells and Me
NFC I: Roy Hargrave on “Man’s Madness and God’s Mercy”
FCON Preview
National Founder's Conference (NFC) Session One: Dr. Roy Hargrave by Dan Phillips e arrived at Bethel Baptist Church and enjoyed warm greetings. Frank and I basked in Phil's popularity. (Hey, knowing famous people is cool, too!) This is the conference primarily for Southern Baptists interested in the ... Pyromaniacs - http://teampyro.blogspot.com/
F-Con: Tues Evening The first night of the Founders Conference was excellent. Dr. David Wells taught on the subject of Christology in the postmodern age. He explained that, in his view, there are essentially two competing views of spirituality in the west. ... joethorn.net - http://www.joethorn.net/
Live Blogging the Founders Conference Johnny on the Spot Timmy Brister is live blog ging the National Founders Conference this week. Good for him! This news beats the daylights out of the latest on Paris Hilton this week. We know return you to your regular Triablogue. Triablogue - http://triablogue.blogspot.com/
TeamPyro @ FCON Three of the four Pyromaniacs are here at the National Founders Conference. Notice the Blogger action. Provocations & Pantings - http://timmybrister.com

Six Part Series On Clergy Sex-Abuse Of Children

2007-06-25T17:44:00.000-04:00

Here are six articles published by the Associate Baptist Press concerning clergy abuse of children.

Sexual predators fly under the radar at church

NEW YORK - Most people think they can spot a sexual predator. He's the pale loner with greasy hair and quivering lips. Or the grinning lech who hugs too long and slowly rubs the backs of female church members. ... (read more of this story)

The recycle of abuse continues at Baptist churches

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Secrecy about clergy sexual abuse may protect an abuser's current church from embarrassment but often comes at the expense of his next church - and its children. ... (read more of this story)

Churches work to escape trap of recycling abusers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - What can churches do to prevent clergy sex-abuse and break the pattern of recycling abusers? Even among activists and experts, there is no consensus about the steps to be taken. Here are some steps on which many experts agree: ... (read more of this story)

What to do if a minister is accused of sexual misconduct

RICHMOND, Va. - Most pastors and staff members know that ministry puts them in unique circumstances with all kinds of people. Most also know that even a hint of wrongdoing is enough to end an otherwise fruitful ministry. For this reason, pastoral counselors often urge pastors to take special precautions to protect their reputation and ministry. ... (read more of this story)

Should straying clergy be restored to ministry?

DALLAS, Texas - When it comes to hiring church staff, some Baptists consider sexual misconduct to be an unpardonable sin, and many survivors of abuse agree. But others say it depends on which scarlet letter the minister wears: "W" for "wanderer" or "P" for "predator." ... (read more of this story)

Sex-abuse victims speak to help others

NEW YORK - Debbie Vasquez was 14 when her pastor started touching her inappropriately. She was 15 when he raped her and 19 when she had his baby. ... (read more of this story)

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 8 - ON PERSONAL AND CORPORATE REPENTANCE

2007-06-24T22:07:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 7 - ON PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE

2007-06-24T22:06:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 6 - ON PASTORS, CULTURE, AND CIVIC DUTY (with amendment)

2007-06-24T22:04:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 5 - ON GLOBAL WARMING

2007-06-24T22:02:00.000-04:00

This resolution was passed by the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. June 12-13, 2007. You can view and search past resolutions from the Southern Baptist Convention at the Annual Meeting Website.

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 5 - ON GLOBAL WARMING

WHEREAS, God is not a distant bystander with respect to human affairs, but judges all people and holds them accountable for their thoughts and actions (Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 45:5-8; Hebrews 4:12-13); and

WHEREAS, Christians are called by God to exercise caring stewardship and dominion over the earth and environment (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8); and

WHEREAS, We share God’s concern that the poor should not be abused, taken advantage of, nor overburdened (Psalm 140:12; Proverbs 14:31; 29:7; Isaiah 25:4; Ezekiel 22:29, 31; Matthew 25:40; John 14:15); and

WHEREAS, The record shows that global temperature has risen and fallen cyclically throughout geologic history, with some periods warmer and others cooler than the present; and

WHEREAS, The global temperature has generally risen since 1850 as it recovers from the “Little Ice Age” (1550-1850 A.D.); and

WHEREAS, The ten warmest years since 1850 have occurred in the last fifteen years; and

WHEREAS, The scientific community is divided regarding the extent to which humans are responsible for recent global warming; and

WHEREAS, Many scientists reject the idea of catastrophic human-induced global warming; and

WHEREAS, Sixty international experts in climate and related sciences signed an open letter on April 6, 2006, to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper stating that scientific evidence does not support the computer models of catastrophic human-induced global warming; and

WHEREAS, The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), while remaining politically active in warning of catastrophic human-induced global warming, has recently altered many of its previous statements, reducing its projections of the magnitude of global warming and its impacts on the world; and

WHEREAS, Many scientists argue that natural causes such as El Niño, alterations in solar energy, solar wind output, cycles of cosmic ray influx, precipitation microphysics, and changes in cloud forcing—along with human-land-use conversion for cities and agricultural use and deforestation—are much more significant in climate change than CO2 emissions; and

WHEREAS, Certain areas of the world, where some say warming is most pronounced, were actually much warmer than they are today, like Greenland, which was extensively farmed by the Vikings from around 1000 to 1300 A.D., before colder temperatures made farming virtually impossible for them; and

WHEREAS, Measures to curb global warming, such as those contained in the United Nations-sponsored Kyoto Protocol, are estimated to only reduce the likely rise in the average global temperature by 10 percent or less, from an increase of 2.0o C to 1.9o C by 2100, for example; and

WHEREAS, Some estimate that compliance with Kyoto would cost the global economy from about $200 billion to $1 trillion each year without a policy that would allow for global carbon emissions trading and $75 billion each year even with a worldwide trading scheme; and

WHEREAS, Large developing countries such as China, India, and Brazil are currently exempt from Kyoto; and

WHEREAS, Exempting emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil from CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions reductions would significantly undermine the minute effect on average global temperature gained through reductions by developed nations; and

WHEREAS, Forcing developing countries to comply with Kyoto will significantly inhibit their economic development and the development of the international economy; and

WHEREAS, Proposed carbon offset programs will have little impact on reducing rising temperatures if human activity is not a significant cause of recent global warming; and

WHEREAS, Some are proposing that a maximum acceptable global temperature increase should serve as the guideline for determining reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, Businesses and municipalities will likely pass along the cost of emissions reduction programs to consumers, driving up the cost of goods and services; and

WHEREAS, Poor people and underdeveloped regions of the world will be impacted the most severely by higher costs; and

WHEREAS, The poor and most vulnerable people around the world are faced with many more quantifiable, immediate, devastating problems; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio, Texas, June 12-13, 2007, urge Southern Baptists to proceed cautiously in the human-induced global warming debate in light of conflicting scientific research; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we consider proposals to regulate CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions based on a maximum acceptable global temperature goal to be very dangerous, since attempts to meet the goal could lead to a succession of mandates of deeper cuts in emissions, which may have no appreciable effect if humans are not the principal cause of global warming, and could lead to major economic hardships on a worldwide scale; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Congress and the president to only support cost-effective measures to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions and to reject government-mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge governments to begin to take steps to help protect vulnerable communities and regions from the effects of the inevitable continued cycles of warming and cooling that have occurred throughout geologic history; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we strongly request that all public policy decision makers ensure an appropriate balance between care for the environment, effects on economies, and impacts on the poor when considering programs to reduce CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support the development of environmental public policy that will improve the stewardship of the earth’s resources without resulting in significant negative consequences not only on the United States and other developed economies, but also, and most importantly, on the poor and on developing economies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support public policy that helps provide immediate assistance to the poor and most vulnerable people around the world, including access to clean drinking water and electricity, AIDS care and prevention, vaccinations, malaria eradication, and education programs; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we continually reaffirm our God-given responsibility to care for the earth by remaining environmentally conscious and taking individual and collective efforts to reduce pollution, decrease waste, and improve the environment in tangible and effective ways.

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 4 -ON HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION

2007-06-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 3 - ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DRED SCOTT DECISION

2007-06-24T21:59:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 2 - ON THE COOPERATIVE GIVING BY SOUTHERN BAPTISTS

2007-06-24T21:57:00.000-04:00

Southern Baptist Convention 200 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 1 - ON APPRECIATION

2007-06-24T21:54:00.000-04:00

This resolution was passed by the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. June 12-13, 2007. You can view and search past resolutions from the Southern Baptist Convention at the Annual Meeting Website.

It is customary that the convention pass a statement of appreciation for the convention's host city.

Resolution No. 1
ON APPRECIATION

WHEREAS, The messengers to the 150th session of the Southern Baptist Convention have enjoyed a time of worship, encouragement, cooperation, and fellowship; and

WHEREAS, We acknowledge God’s providence for all of these blessings; and

WHEREAS, We also acknowledge the kind hospitality of the people of San Antonio; and

WHEREAS, We also acknowledge our local Southern Baptist churches, associations, committees, and volunteers of the San Antonio area who worked diligently to make our stay a pleasant one; and

WHEREAS, We especially acknowledge the Lord’s work in enabling our president, officers, various committees, Convention speakers, musicians, and other platform personnel to conduct the affairs of this Convention with dignity and a Christlike spirit; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio, Texas, June 12-13, 2007, express our profound gratitude to the Lord and to all those He used to bring about a meeting characterized by grace, evangelism, worship, encouragement, cooperation, and purpose.

2 MP3 Sermon's By Dr. Russell Moore

2007-06-22T16:41:00.000-04:00

from Pastor Steve Weaver's Blog by Steve Weaver

Listen or download these two MP3 sermons from Dr. Russell Moore. Dr. Moore is the Dean of the school of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The two messages which Dr. Moore preached at West Broadway Baptist Church on June 3rd are now available for listening online or MP3 download.

Video - Dr. Albert Mohler's Report From Southern Baptist Semianry

2007-06-22T16:33:00.000-04:00

Watch or download the complete video from Dr. Albert Mohler's report from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. Watch at the end where Dr. Mohler takes questions from the convention floor.

What are other Southern Baptist voices are saying?

Reflections from an SBC Newbie19 Jun 2007 by dennyrburk
Third, the best speakers of the convention were Dr. Albert Mohler and Pastor Voddie Baucham. Dr. Mohler’s report on Southern Seminary was one for the ages, and I am ready to print up the “Mohler ‘08″ bumper stickers right now. ...
Mohler to SBC: Southern committed to theological fidelity of ...15 Jun 2007
SAN ANTONIO—The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary gladly uses the Baptist Faith & Message 2000 as a guide in hiring professors but holds professors to standards that go beyond the BF&M in order to ensure their commitment to God’s ...
2007 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Wrap Up19 Jun 2007 by Jeff
And make no mistake, their intention was expressed when they loudly cheered Al Mohler’s assurance that the BF&M 2k would be the basis for doctrinal accountability at Southern Seminary. So if so much went so bad this year what can be ...
Putting Some Legs on Our Theology21 Jun 2007 by Gil Gulick
Both programs are offered through Southern Seminary's Boyce College and headed up by Mary Mohler, wife of Southern Seminary President Albert Mohler. Mary Mohler and Dorothy Patterson were the only two women serving on a seven-member ..
The talk goes on at SBC meeting13 Jun 2007 by Sam Hodges
Al Mohler, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, told the messengers in remarks early Wednesday that seminaries can't be restricted to following the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as they make hiring and policy decisions. ...
Mohler Rebuked for Standing Firm13 Jun 2007 by Colin
Dr. Mohler set aside his seminary report to address the implications of the new motion (which are basically not much), and to remind Southern Baptists of the role of Trustees, the proper role of confessions, and the danger of doctrinal ...
Mohler to SBC: Southern Committed to Theological Fidelity of ...16 Jun 2007 by Justice
... to ensure their commitment to God’s truth and their compliance with the wishes of the Southern Baptist Convention, R. Albert Mohler Jr. said June 13 in his report to the SBC in San Antonio. “In the hiring of a seminary professor you ...

Video - Paige Patterson's 2007 report from Southwestern Seminary

2007-06-22T16:23:00.000-04:00

Here is the complete video from Paige Patterson's report from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. June 12, 2007. Watch the several questions at the end including one about the homemaking degree.

What have other SBC voices said?

The talk goes on at SBC meeting13 Jun 2007 by Sam Hodges
Southwestern President Paige Patterson chose not to post McKissic's sermon to the seminary Web site, as is the usual practice. Later, he and trustees announced - over McKissic's objection - that no one known to engage in or advocate ...
Baptist Seminary Offers Degree in Homemaking for Pastors' Wives14 Jun 2007
... establish family and gender roles as described in God's word for the home and the family," seminary President Paige Patterson said in his prepared report to the Southern Baptist Convention this week in San Antonio, Texas
SBC Convention Update--Tuesday12 Jun 2007 by Kelly Reed
The spirit of cooperation and unity felt lost by the time the report from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Paige Patterson came around. The crowd was worked up and jazzed for the report. Paige definitely knows how to work a ...
How far should they go?15 Jun 2007 by Tony Cartledge, Editor
During the Southwestern Seminary report the previous day, Patterson said he recognized that tongues-speaking is in the Bible, but said he would not hire people who speak in tongues because Southwestern is a Baptist school, ...
The Southern Baptist Convention13 Jun 2007 by Thomas
I could speak of the great job Paige Patterson did during the Southwestern Seminary report. I could speak of the strong stand Al Mohler took during this year’s convention. However, I simply want to say thank you to the many men I met ...

Wade Burleson Wants Internet Based Voting for the SBC Annual Meeting

2007-06-21T07:32:00.000-04:00

There may be a way to have 250,000 messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting. Wade Burleson is working on an interesting proposal to do just that - by making internet based participation in the convention possible. He writes:

We already register messengers electronically. We are but two steps away from establishing a secure server where a messenger who watches the convention via the internet could enter his Messenger I.D. number and actually vote on the recommendations brought to the floor of the convention. I realize that the maximum number of messengers per church is ten people, but if you just assumed the average number of messengers per church in the SBC were just five, then it is possible that nearly a quarter of a million messengers could actually be elected and vote at the annual Southern Baptist Convention, representing over 45,000 Southern Baptist Churches.

My guess is that it will never fly. Southern Baptist do not really trust themselves or technology. Others Southern Baptist Voices are talking about technology and the convention:

Southern Baptist Convention18 Jun 2007 by Bowden McElroy
Regional venues with satellite links and moderaters at each site seems like one way to go; it retains the atmosphere of a convention (as opposed to internet based voting with messengers cocooning in their own homes) while expanding the ...
Reflections from a Distance19 Jun 2007 by Tim Sweatman
For the first time since 2003, I was not present at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. Furthermore, since I have been able to spend an average of only a few minutes a day online for the past few weeks I was unable to ...
Reflections from a Distance19 Jun 2007 by Tim Sweatman
For the first time since 2003, I was not present at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. Furthermore, since I have been able to spend an average of only a few minutes a day online for the past few weeks I was unable to ...

Mp3 - Calvinism and Speaking In Tongues Debates at the Southern Baptist Convention

2007-06-19T07:15:00.000-04:00

Download and listen to these Mp3 files from the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting 2007 in San Antonio, TX. Southern Baptists debated Five Point Calvinism and Speaking in Tongues. In the first podcast, Jerry Johnson moderates a debate between Dr. Russell Moore and Pastor Dwight McKissic on the issue of speaking in tongues. In the second podcast, Jerry Johnson moderates a dialogue between Dr. Danny Akin and Dr. Mark Coppenger on the issue of Calvinism.

On June 11, Criswell College hosted a historic debate on Calvinism and tongues among prominent theologians at the Southern Baptist Convention.

To listen to a recording of the session, click the links below: