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...]
Mo. Baptist apologist Victor lifts high the resurrection
JEFFERSON CITY — The MBC has launched the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network, a group of church leaders committed to the defense of the Christian faith and called to equip believers to more effectively share their faith. Learn more at mobaptist.org/apologetics. Following is a profile of Bill Victor, a member of the Leadership Development Team at the Missouri Baptist Convention and pastor of Missio Dei Church on the campus of the University of Missouri. To answer the hard questions … [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...]
Pastor raises Christian flag over ‘Old Glory’
SHELBY, N.C. (BP) – North Carolina pastor Rit Varriale wants to see churches fly the Christian flag above the American flag as a biblical statement, reversing flag etiquette that calls for the American flag to be flown in the prominent position. Varriale, as senior pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., said the church installed its first-ever flagpole in order to raise the two flags in a special ceremony after morning worship on Sunday (July 5) in which the Christian flag was … [Read more...]
Apologetics Network’s Loos helps women defend faith
JEFFERSON CITY –The MBC has launched the Missouri Baptist Apologetics Network, a group of church leaders committed to the defense of the Christian faith and called to equip believers to more effectively share their faith. Julie Loos, a member of First Baptist Church, Ellisville, and director of Ratio Christi Boosters, acknowledges she’s not a typical apologist. Not a preacher or seminary graduate; she’s just an ordinary woman who started studying at “point zero” and has become an advocate … [Read more...]
What every Christian should know about same-sex attraction
Next month the MBC releases What Every Christian Should Know About Same-Sex Attraction, a new resource that offers a Biblical perspective on homosexuality and how Christians can express Christ-like love for our LGBT friends. A series of columns beginning today features excerpts from the book, available in print and Kindle formats. Last month Ireland became the first country to legalize gay marriage by popular vote after a referendum found that 62 percent of voters favor … [Read more...]
ERLC resources ready on gay marriage
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has resources available online to help Christians minister in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage. In addition, the ERLC is helping sponsor a July 29 conference to equip pastors and churches to navigate the legal and cultural landscape after the high court's ruling Friday (June 26). Equip -- at erlc.com/equip -- is a joint initiative with the Southern Baptists of Texas … [Read more...]
SBC panel: Value love, Gospel with LGBT community
COLUMBUS, Ohio (BP) – Christians should not undervalue the effect of love or the Gospel in relating to gays and lesbians, recognizing, however, that faithfulness to the biblical definition of marriage will prove costly, members of a special panel told messengers at the 2015 Southern Baptist Convention. During the Wednesday afternoon session (June 17), five panelists answered questions from SBC President Ronnie Floyd about how churches and pastors can minister in an American culture that … [Read more...]
Mule muffins: A liberal’s view of Christians, politics
There seems no end to the cacophony of liberals in the media demanding that there be no biblical influence on government. One of the most recent is David Rosman, columnist for The Missourian in Columbia, in his column, “Forcing religion into government is wrong.” To make his point, Rosman cites two instances where it was apparently attempted. The first was Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia requesting a grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The church wanted to resurface … [Read more...]
How can 5 billion people be wrong?
The world’s population stands at more than 7.1 billion people. According to Adherents.com, this number includes 1.5 billion Muslims, 1.1 billion nonreligious people, 900 million Hindus, nearly 400 million Buddhists, and millions of followers of other faiths. The website also reports there are 2.1 billion “Christians,” a broad category that includes Catholics and Protestants, Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, and so-called “nominal” Christians. If the exclusive claims of Jesus are true, … [Read more...]
Is the Holy Spirit like electricity?
A recent survey by LifeWay Research, as reported in Facts & Trends magazine, reveals that 59 percent of American evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being, and another 10 percent are not sure. This lack of understanding of the divine and personal nature of the Spirit is more at home in counterfeit forms of Christianity like the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, whose adherents are known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our JW friends promote a “holy spirit” that … [Read more...]
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