Thanks, Missouri Baptists, for defending the Christian faith this year through the MBC’s apologetics ministry. A few metrics in the paragraphs below illustrate the degree to which you have sought to fulfill Peter’s exhortation to “always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you … with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15-16). New resources In 2015 the MBC released two timely new resources: What Every Christian Should Know about Islam and … [Read more...]
Four examples of where the New World Translation gets it wrong
This is the last in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses regard The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures as “an accurate, easy-to-read translation of the Bible” (jw.org). What many don’t realize is that four of the five men on the translation committee producing the complete 1961 edition had no Hebrew or Greek training whatsoever. The fifth, who claimed to know both languages, failed a simple Hebrew test while under oath in a Scottish court. What all … [Read more...]
10 key biblical doctrines denied by Jehovah’s Witnesses
This is the second in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses. Read part one: Who are Jehovah's Witnesses. The Baptist Faith and Message, available as a free download from sbc.net, features a more complete treatment of Christian doctrines and includes multiple Scripture references. Our Jehovah’s Witness friends deny at least 10 key biblical doctrines. This is due in part to their reliance on The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, which we discuss in the next column. 1. The … [Read more...]
Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
This is the first in a three-part series on Jehovah’s Witnesses They come to your door well-prepared, using familiar terms like Jesus, kingdom, and faith. Their smiling faces and leading questions make it easy to agree with them. You might even let them start a Bible study in your home. They are sincere, committed to their beliefs, and faithful in their endeavors. They are seeking the truth, believe they have found it, and are eager to share it with you. They are Jehovah’s Witnesses. … [Read more...]
Why non-westerners reject the gospel
Missionaries to Muslims often report resistance to the gospel message – not because Muslims reject Jesus as a great prophet, but because the Qur’an denies the doctrines of original sin and the atonement. The idea of natural-born sinners runs counter to the Islamic belief that man is basically good but ignorant of Allah’s will. This may be overcome by repeating the shahada – “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah” – and by embracing the five pillars of Islam. In … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Conversation with a gay friend: Biblical answers with ‘gentleness and respect’
This is the last in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. A few years ago I joined leaders of a Christian non-profit organization in a meeting with executives of a Tennessee TV station. They were preparing to launch a new program catering to the LGBT community. We asked them to reconsider. Among the TV … [Read more...]
Some of you were like this
This is the seventh in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. Six passages of Scripture speak directly to the issue of same-sex conduct. This column offers a brief survey of two New Testament texts: 1 Cor. 6:9-11 and 1 Tim. 1:9-11. These passages address moral issues facing the congregation at Corinth … [Read more...]
Paul’s case against same-sex conduct
Six passages of Scripture speak directly to the issue of same-sex conduct. This column offers a brief survey of Rom. 1:26-27: “This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual intercourse for what is unnatural. The males in the same way also left natural sexual intercourse with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty … [Read more...]
Leviticus and the same-sex debate
This is the fifth in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and in Kindle format at Amazon.com. Six passages of Scripture speak directly to the issue of same-sex conduct. This column offers a brief survey of two verses in Leviticus: “You are not to sleep with a man as with a woman; it is detestable” (Lev. 18:22). “If a man sleeps with a … [Read more...]
A look at Sodom and Gomorrah
This is the fourth in a series of columns about same-sex attraction, adapted from the new MBC resource, “What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction,” available in print at mobaptist.org/apologetics and on Kindle at Amazon.com. Six passages of Scripture speak directly to the issue of same-sex conduct. This column offers a brief survey of Gen. 19:5: “They [the men of Sodom] called out to Lot and said, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Send them out to us so we can … [Read more...]
Seven truths about sex and marriage
Scripture provides at least seven truths about sex and marriage. We’ll explore key passages in detail in future columns. 1. The Bible condemns all forms of sexual behavior outside the bonds of heterosexual, monogamous, life-long marriage. Homosexuality is not a special class of sin that makes it any more or less an act of rebellion against God than premarital sex, adultery, polygamy, pornography, or other sexual sins. We do injustice to God's Word, and to those struggling with same-sex … [Read more...]
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