I believe one of the defining theological marks of my generation is a passionate commitment to the centrality and sufficiency of the gospel for all of life. Some of this could be understood as a corrective to a truncated or shelved gospel, but I am more inclined to believe that God is awakening His people [...]
Archive for July 2009
Gospel-Centered Renewal: I Have Been Made New
July 29, 2009On Silence and Sinful Prudence
July 28, 2009The easiest way to avoid persecution and suffering is to be silent for Christ and then come up with justifications to make such silence feel legitimate. Jesus tells those who are entrusted with His mission in Matt. 10:17-20 two things they can count on: (1) they will be delivered up by men operating as “wolves” [...]
Missional Conditionalities, Missional Certainties
July 24, 2009In Matthew 10, we get the missional marching orders from the Sent One himself. Three times Jesus mentions sending (9:38; 10:5; 10:16) in this instructional passage where those who had been listening and learning have now become laborers and leaders in the mission. I have been preaching through this text for the past four months, [...]
Morris Chapman, Calvinism, and Saving Faith (Part 3)
July 21, 2009In my third and final post (see Part 1 and Part 2) on Morris Chapman’s recent comments on Calvinism, I want to focus on what Baptists have historically said on the issue of the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation and more specifically saving faith. Before I do, however, I want to comment briefly on how [...]
Morris Chapman, Calvinism, and Saving Faith (Part 2)
July 20, 2009In Part 1, I sought address specific comments by Morris Chapman from his convention “report,” nothing also a few areas of duplicity. In Part 2, I want to interact with his “Clarification of Intent,” especially as it concerns the doctrine of saving faith. Chapman’s Charges Quote #1 “I have heard and read with increasing frequency [...]
Morris Chapman, Calvinism, and Saving Faith (Part 1)
July 16, 2009Morris Chapman, president and CEO of the Executive Committee, has up until this time chosen not to address the pressing issue of the forced resignation of Clark Logan; however, he has taken up another topic stemming from his convention “report”—Calvinism. His strange and categorically inaccurate views of those who hold to the doctrines of grace [...]
The Gospel-Centered Life by Thune & Walker
July 15, 2009“Gospel-centered” is something I whole-hearted believe in yet realize has become all the rave in recent years. I recently mentioned that Jonathan Dodson is coming out with a pamphlet called Fight Club: Gospel-Centered Discipleship, and today I want to direct your attention to a study authored by Bob Thune and Will Walker called The Gospel [...]
The Executive Committee Form Letter and Appropriate Action
July 14, 2009Last week, I wrote about the questions and concerns Southern Baptists are having about the Executive Committee and encouraged them to contact them, sincerely expressing their thoughts, concerns, and questions in particular about the forced resignation of Clark Logan. Since last week, the link to the Executive Committee members has had nearly 250 click throughs, [...]
Weekend Poll: Theological Education Options
July 11, 2009Anyone who wants theological education can get one–at least here in the United States. Whether it is institutions, ministries, or organizations, theological education has taken flight on the wings of technology and creativity that is encouraging to all who prize the words of our God who said, Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise [...]
John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology (Review)
July 10, 2009Today, we celebrate the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth–a man who towers over church history like few others. Many of those I follow on Twitter are sharing their favorite quotes from Calvin’s writings, but as one rightly exhorted, get to know the man himself and not the caricature. In the book, John Calvin: A [...]
Jonathan Dodson and Fight Club: Gospel-Driven Discipleship
July 10, 2009Jonathan Dodson, pastor of Austin City Life, recently announced that he has completed his new booklet, “Fight Club: Gospel-Centered Discipleship” which will be e-published for free first The Resurgence, with a print on demand option. Dodson also mentioned that they are working on a website that will expand the booklet through interaction, blogs, and articles. [...]
Christopher J.H. Wright on “False Dichotomies of Mission”
July 9, 2009Christopher J.H. Wright, author of numerous books although most notably The Mission of God, was recently asked (here and here) on Koinonia (Zondervan Academic blog) the question, “In what way have we as evangelical Christians failed to grasp or live out the fullness of God’s missional intent? How (if at all) has our theology of [...]
Addressing the Morris Chapman Controversy in the SBC: A Call for Accountability, Transparency, and Unity
July 8, 2009Morris Chapman has served as President and CEO of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention since 1992. During the 17+ years that he has served in this position, he has undoubtedly done some great things for Southern Baptists, and his role in advocating the Conservative Resurgence is one to be remembered, including being [...]
Parking the Great Commission
July 7, 2009Sunday night, we parked the Great Commission. It’s fourth of July weekend, lots of people traveling out of town on vacation, and with one of the biggest holidays of the year, the reasonable thing to do would be to alter the Sunday format to accommodate according to lowered expectations. Not exactly. About a month ago, [...]
Lawless Speaks to Older Southern Baptists
July 6, 2009About this time last year, Dr. Chuck Lawless, dean of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, Missions & Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote an open letter to the younger generation of Southern Baptists exhorting them to stay connected, don’t give up on the SBC, and stay focused on the Great Commission. [...]
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