Many moons ago, after surviving an algebra class in my freshman year of college, I bid adieu to mathematics and intended never to take up the subject again. Even in childhood, when for a short time I dreamed vaingloriously of studying astrophysics in the footsteps of the great Einstein himself, I disliked math – naturally, since few people love subjects they struggle to understand. On my wall hung a poster of Einstein, with words of hope for me: “Do not worry about your difficulties in … [Read more...]
Super-size your zeal, fervor, service
I’m going to be honest here, I’m the kind of person who would like to get a new car every year. It’s not about having a fancy car, mind you. I don’t really care about that. The reason I need a new one is that unless the car is new, I have no real way of knowing how many fries are between the seats. One potato, two potato…I really don’t know. I only know it has to be too, too many potatoes. A few months in, can it even be called a potato anymore? Also, what’s that smell? Even with … [Read more...]
Do Christians and Mormons worship the same God?
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was first published in 2016, but the question has been raised recently by ongoing controversy regarding Mormonism and the popular show, “The Chosen” (Read more here). See another column about Mormonism and biblical Christianity here. Do Christians and Mormons worship the same God? The question may irk our LDS friends, who insist that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church and therefore cannot be distinguished from orthodox … [Read more...]
King David’s reign confirmed in text on ancient stone, scholars say
PARIS (BP) – New readings of text on the Moabite Stone studied for 150 years give new evidence that the stone includes an extra-biblical reference to King David, scholars have announced. The latest reading reveals previously illegible characters to complete the phrase “the House of David” on the 31st line of the 34-line inscription written in the ninth century B.C., scholars assert in the current issue of the Biblical Archeology Review. Southern Baptist archeologist and theologian Jim … [Read more...]
‘Amazing Grace’: Classic hymn by slave-trader-turned-pastor inspires praise to God after 250 years
EDITOR’S NOTE: A panel of musicians, church historians and theologians will discuss the impact and legacy of the hymn, “Amazing Grace” and its author, Feb. 15, at 10am at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) in Kansas City. Read more here. KANSAS CITY – Most preachers wouldn’t dare to tackle writing a sermon and a hymn for their congregation, but that was par for the course for Pastor John and his peers. On New Year’s 1773, he was preaching through 1 Chronicles 17, … [Read more...]
‘Amazing Grace’ panel to be held at MBTS
EDITOR’S NOTE: Read more about John Newton and his classic, “Amazing Grace,” here. KANSAS CITY – A panel of musicians, church historians and theologians will discuss the impact and legacy of the hymn, “Amazing Grace” and its author, Feb. 15, at 10 at the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) here. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of the song, penned by small-town preacher John Newton in 1773. It would go on to become one the most well-known songs in history. “Our hope is that … [Read more...]
BFM article VII: Baptism, Lord’s Supper
Following is another in a series of columns on the Baptist Faith & Message 2000. Article VII of The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 reads: “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a … [Read more...]
Scribner pens book on following Jesus
BRANSON – Jay Scribner is a name that is well-recognized among Missouri Baptists. A long time pastor at First Baptist Church, Branson, he retired from there in 2005 after serving 28 years. He also served as the president of the Missouri Baptist Convention and on the boards of several Baptist entities. He and Mrs. Scribner have lived in Branson for 45 years. He is used frequently as a guest preacher and interim pastor. He said, “I’ve been threatening to write a book for 20 years or so. … [Read more...]
Nation’s biblical illiteracy at root a matter of the heart
Bible knowledge among Americans, in recent years, has plummeted. And, unless God’s people immerse themselves day and night in God’s Word – reading it, praying it, sharing it, obeying it – America will face a devastating spiritual famine. The dire warning in Amos 8:11 should capture our attention: “‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD God, ‘when I will send ... a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.” Already, only 6 percent of American adults hold to a Christian worldview, … [Read more...]
‘Best of times, worst of times’
“It was the best of times…it was the worst of times.” You have probably heard these words before, but before you expend too much brain power trying to come up with the source, let me go ahead and tell you that author Charles Dickens wrote them. You may know him from his work, A Christmas Carol. However, this quote is actually from another of his writings, A Tale of Two Cities. While at first, it may seem odd I am not using a quote from A Christmas Carol, the more one considers those … [Read more...]
What does the Bible say about marijuana?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Read more about this issue here and here and here. On Nov. 8, Missouri voters chose to legalize recreational marijuana possession and use. Christian proponents argue that marijuana should be decriminalized because it is naturally created by God and allows for freedom of conscience. As Christians, how should we view the legalization of marijuana? Does the Bible speak to cannabis use? Though the literal words for marijuana aren’t in Scripture, the applicable principles are. … [Read more...]
You snooze, you … rest
When people say you should dress for the life you want, my inner self tells me to put on jammies. I think my inner self is a little tired. I’ve also considered the possibility that my inner self is at least a little bit cat. Naps. Glorious, naps. But while that midday nap is famously fabulous, could I complain a minute about the wakeup? I’m gunna just rest my eyes. That’s how it starts. Next thing I know, only one of those eyes will reopen and I don’t know if it’s morning or…Thursday. I … [Read more...]
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