When the Rev. Jamie Coots died recently, it made national news. The co-star of National Geographic Channel’s reality TV show, “Snake Salvation,” was bitten on the hand by a rattlesnake as he led services at the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus’ Name in Middlesboro, Ky. He died less than two hours later after refusing medical treatment. Coots and his followers represent a sect of Christianity that incorporates snake handling into worship, relying heavily on Mark 16:17-18 for support. … [Read more...]
Try this when you meet someone new
A believer’s life perspective changes when he prioritizes making disciples. He listens to know if the person he meets is lost or saved. If he’s lost, is he in transit or living nearby? If he’s saved, then is he making disciples? If he’s moving on and you probably won’t see him again, then share the full gospel message of salvation. It helps to be sensitive to who the person is, so engaging in attentive listening is required. You might ask about their religious background, culture, … [Read more...]
Christians and governments that criminalize homosexuality
By Doug Elders As an SBC pastor I am very disappointed in the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s recent article, What Should Christians Think of Governments That Criminalize Homosexuality? I strongly disagree with its perspective. I have been a Southern Baptist for nearly 40 years and have been so because we stand firmly on the unchanging authority of Scripture. I believe this article undermines very clear Biblical teaching about the abominable nature of homosexuality and … [Read more...]
‘Son of God’ biblical, but short on art
The Bible has inspired some truly masterful works of art: Michelangelo’s “Pieta,” Handel’s “Messiah” and DaVinci’s “Last Supper” are but three masterpieces that show man at his cultural pinnacle with a biblical underpinning. Sadly, biblical art has slipped a little. “Son of God,” a new theatrical release edited together from snippets of “The Bible” miniseries that aired on the History Channel last spring, doesn’t rise to Da Vinci’s standards. To be honest, it doesn’t rise to Thomas … [Read more...]
Pro-life General Assembly owed much-deserved thanks
As the Missouri General Assembly approaches its spring break, no less than 28 bills have been introduced in an effort to protect the unborn and health of the mother. Missouri is among the top three states with the most abortion restrictions introduced this year, according to Elizabeth Nash, the state policy director for the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights and research group. Such activity bears witness to the prayer warriors and pro-life activists determined to make abortions rare … [Read more...]
April 8 Call to Prayer
Peyton Manning is perhaps the best quarterback at calling audibles. Football fans have watched this guy for years step up to the line of scrimmage, and if he discovers that the play called in the huddle is not going to translate into a successful yardage gain, he calls an audible. The play doesn’t need to be complicated, just something the opposing team doesn’t expect. I need to call an audible. One of the functions of the state convention is to convene the people of God called … [Read more...]
Become agents of spiritual transformation
Lawrence led a man on the street to Jesus as part of Crossover prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis. The man immediately asked, “May I go tell my sister?” Lawrence agreed and soon watched as the man brought his sister out of an apartment building. After Lawrence led her to faith in Christ she admitted, “The second floor of that apartment is a brothel, but I’ll go tell them.” Lawrence pointed to the Baptist church, which was just across the street. The … [Read more...]
Fight for what is good and precious, like life
I always thought I would age gracefully. Nope. One glimpse at the first few wrinkles in the mirror and I knew I was going fighting, kicking and screaming all the way. It’s not exactly aging gracefully, is it, when you find yourself going through the mile-long counter of miracle wrinkle creams at the department store and you come home with one of each? Sadly, it’s not been the most successful battle. Several vats of creams later, there are places on this face that don’t care that it was … [Read more...]
A call to faithfulness despite somber mood
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory and the One who lifts my head. – Psalm 3:1,3 For the past two weeks I have had the privilege of visiting with executive directors from other state conventions, editors of state convention newspapers and Southern Baptist leaders. It is an annual effort I make in order to get a first-hand impression of where Southern Baptists are at the moment. Carrying the … [Read more...]
What good is Christian apologetics?
Apologetics simply is a reasonable defense of the Christian faith. The word is derived from the Greek noun apologia and means “a defense.” Apologia and its verb form apologeomai are used nearly 20 times in the New Testament, often in the classic legal sense, but more importantly to describe the call of God to all believers to defend the Christian faith with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15-16). But how is sound doctrine applied practically? Put another way, what good is Christian … [Read more...]
Trusteeship – a sacred trust
Just this week I returned from serving on the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee. Our February meeting was full of important decisions impacting the cooperative work of churches that identify themselves as Southern Baptist congregations. My fellow trustees listened to amazing reports about our international missionaries and new church planting in North America. We were challenged to hear how our six Southern Baptist seminaries are adapting their work of equipping tomorrow’s … [Read more...]
With ‘feeling faith’ come hope and tears
Once he feels its flame, a child will never doubt the candle’s heat. Likewise, the English Reformer William Tyndale once wrote, those who “feel” their faith will stand firm in the truth of Scripture and the promises of God. Convinced that Englishmen and women needed to hear God’s Word in their own language, Tyndale published in 1526 the first English New Testament translated from the Greek text. Throughout the 10 years of ministry that followed, he often spoke of “feeling” – a term that he … [Read more...]
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