As Resurrection Day quickly approaches, thoughts crowd my mind about the reality of what happened when the Lord Jesus burst out of the tomb. As products of an education more oriented toward metaphysical facts than biblical truth, many people are open to various hypotheses to explain the resurrection. Thoughts of a cardio anomaly or reincarnational experience seem more justifiable for some than what our mighty God has done. The phrase, “He is not here. He is risen, just as He said,” is … [Read more...]
Movie Review: ‘The Case for Christ’ makes case for best ‘Christian’ movie yet
I’ve been on a classic movies kick lately, spending my evenings watching cinematic masterpieces like Casablanca, North by Northwest and Lawrence of Arabia. What makes these films endure throughout the decades isn’t so much the story (Casablanca and North by Northwest have major plot holes, and Lawrence of Arabia doesn’t have much of a story at all); it’s a director’s deft touch and high-quality acting. For too long, so-called “Christian” movies have been on the opposite end of the skill … [Read more...]
Live by the sword, die by the sword
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the tenth column in a year-long series leading up to the 500th anniversary of the 16th-century Reformation on Oct. 31, 2017. * * * * On July 13, 1524, preaching to various princes in the German city of Allstedt, Thomas Müntzer foretold the end of the ages. Müntzer interpreted for them the words of the Prophet Daniel as he described the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar (See Daniel 2): In this dream, King Nebuchadnezzar had seen a statue, with … [Read more...]
Teaching accountability
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36 There is a theme throughout the Bible of accountability. We are told over and over that sin brings consequences. There are many warnings in the Bible as to the importance of obedience and actions. It behooves us, in light of this, to teach our children that they will be held accountable for their choices and actions. The best way to teach accountability is to … [Read more...]
Are Jude and Peter plagiarists?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series of excerpts from the new MBC resource, “The Last Apologist: A Commentary on Jude for Defenders of the Christian Faith,” available at mobaptist.org/apologetics. * * * * History is rife with famous plagiarists. Primatologist Jane Goodall “borrowed” from sources ranging from Wikipedia to astrology websites to produce a 2013 book, Seeds of Hope: Wonder and Wisdom from the World of Plants. Alex Haley’s epic Roots is now … [Read more...]
More faith, less fluff
I accidentally put one of my favorite “lay flat to dry” sweaters in the dryer. Somewhere in the last fluff cycle, somebody must’ve slipped in and traded it for some kind of little teddy bear sweater. What am I supposed to do with this? I guess now I have to buy a little teddy bear. Relatedly, I’ve heard the same thing happens with invisibility cloaks. People don’t tell you not to machine dry those things. Or maybe it’s on the label. But reading an invisible label? Not easy. And you still … [Read more...]
Celebrate, strengthen the CP
The Cooperative Program ought not be a sacred cow, but it is close to one for me. Begun by Southern Baptists nearly a century ago, it has proven to be a most effective and enduring way to support our collective ministry and mission work. I often visit with leaders of other evangelical denominations who are envious of the Cooperative Program. And they should be; there is nothing like it in American Protestantism. I was reared in a Southern Baptist church, so I grew up with a general … [Read more...]
Cornucopia: Sex trafficking, free speech, the Gov & Israel
Do not be surprised if Missouri Attorney General Joshua Hawley soon launches a new offensive combating the state’s growing human/sex trafficking crime. Action could come from any number of options, ranging from stepped-up enforcement to raising public awareness. Such an initiative is overdue. Determining the extent of human/sex trafficking in Missouri is difficult because of its shadowy nature. News reports herald an alarming rise in reports of human/sex trafficking in Kansas City, St. … [Read more...]
It is time!
The other day Sharon and I were flying through a city, and we were able to sit in an area of the airport where frequent fliers often congregate. When we went in, we noticed one guy lounging in a chair and in a deep sleep. He was obnoxiously snoring so loud that people in the area were either significantly annoyed or chuckling at him being such the center of attention. Around the corner of the sitting area came an agent for the airline and spoke to the man. He never missed a beat. He was in … [Read more...]
Dear anxious mom, trust the sovereign God
I was sitting on the conveyor belt in the baggage claim area of the airport in Jackson, Miss., when the tornadoes came through last fall. The airport staff had directed us to take shelter there until the storms passed. I had already heard of the casualties in Arkansas, children who lost parents, parents who lost babies. My own mother, meanwhile, was on the road somewhere in the storm trying to get home. As I sat there in the darkness, the familiar emotions of fear and worry gripped me. … [Read more...]
Developing leaders in the church
Geiger, Eric, and Kevin Peck. Designed to Lead: The Church and Leadership Development. Nashville: B&H, 2016. 234 pp. $22.99. The church needs leaders. The world needs leaders. Jesus saves us to be leaders in advancing the gospel to the ends of the earth. One of the purposes of the church is develop and send out leaders to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth. Most Christians and ministry leaders agree with the previous paragraph. So where are all the leaders in our churches? … [Read more...]
What really counts?
People get pretty caught up in the thread count of their sheets these days. I still say the crumb count is a lot bigger deal. Not that I’m one to snack in bed much, mind you. Mostly because I’m not a big fan of sheets that double as an exfoliator. But just so you know I’m not going to be legalistic on the topic, everything changes in the family room. My sofa? Let the exfoliation begin. I don’t even know what kind of crumbs are stuffed between the couch cushions. I’m pretty sure, though, … [Read more...]
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