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Baptist Identity or Evangelical Anonymity? Part II: Dr. Malcolm Yarnell

We had an enormous amount of readers for the post entitled "Baptist Identity or Evangelical Anonymity? Part I". For Part II, I wanted the voice of an accomplished theologian and churchman to guide our way. Dr. Malcolm Yarnell, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, graciously agreed to pen for us the following essay. I think you will agree his essay possesses both a decidedly Baptist conviction and a commitment to forge and develop genuine spiritual camaraderie with believers of other persuasions In addition, the passion Dr. Yarnell... Read more →

The Verdict Just In: The Southern Baptist Convention is in Decline

The verdict is now firmly set in place: The mighty Southern Baptist Convention is a convention of Churches in decline. How do we know? Well, numbers do not lie, do they? And the numbers are in, according to Lifeway's Ed Stetzer. The hot zone that triggered the greatest concern was the loss in Baptisms. This one dip sent a tremble through the airwaves equal to a whopping 5.0 magnitude on a Richter scale. The New York Times: Ranks of Southern Baptists Are Still Growing Thinner ABC News: Southern Baptist Numbers... Read more →

Dr. Steve Gaines: Bushwhacked by Big Brother

The 101 Most Influential People Who Never Lived, published in 2006, lists those icons of pop culture’s fiction whose influence is still most felt today. Number two on the list is “Big Brother”, the well-near universally known brain spawn of George Orwell’s 1984. “Big Brother is watching you” has become the catchphrase for describing the strange feeling that “someone is watching me”—a phenomenon lasting for two full generations of adults since Orwell penned the book in 1948. I’m quite sure many high profile, Southern Baptist Pastors know the feeling to... Read more →

Baptist Identity or Evangelical Anonymity? Part I

I was saved in 1977. To the dismay of many of my Founders' brothers, yes I walked the aisle and filled out a card in response to an invitation the Pastor offered at the service's end. However, I did not think, even at such an elementary stage of belief, the card added anything significant to my salvation experience; nor certainly did I remotely believe I was saved because I signed my name. Indeed I have still yet to meet, after thirty-one years a member in a Southern Baptist Church, the... Read more →

A Much Needed Explanation about My Hair: Especially for Steve Grosey

The following video, I confess, bears the inspiration for my hair do that our Australian Brother and Pastor, Steve Grosey ever likes to comment about. Ricky is my hair-do hero. This song is not half bad either for stating a leadership principle: you cannot please everyone. So get over it. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Hershael York and Paul Harvey: One Thing in Common

News reporter and commentator legend, Mr. Paul Harvey, may be the most famed caster of all time. For over fifty years, he's been known "for the rest of the story". Listeners could always expect Mr. Harvey to drop an unexpected ending for them to consider. Today, Dr. Hershael York--Pastor, Professor, Trustee--offered what many surely consider "the rest of the story" concerning the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. For the last two years, the Board has faced stiff criticism from many, especially from a former trustee of the... Read more →

Bashing The Big Church: Is It Becoming An Issue?

Two years ago, it was not uncommon to hear Wal-mart being bashed routinely in mainstream public media. Florida politicians were sticking their fingers to the populist wind to see which way to publicly blow their own sympathy: toward Wal-mart lovers or Wal-mart haters. I do not know this as fact. I possess no statistics and certainly have conducted no polls. This is--right or wrong--strictly intuition. I get the distinct impression there is a swelling acceptance toward the bashing of the big Church phenomenon, especially, of course, within my own contextual... Read more →

The Lord's Prayer

Here is one great inspiration. Makes me want to hug my little Sofie. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

When Life Hurts, Jesus...

Ms. Debbie Kaufman, a Baptist blogger from Oklahoma and one who frequents this site often grieves with her family and especially her daughter this hour. Due to a tragic vehicle accident, her daughter's husband was killed. For them, life delivered profound hurt. And, as believers, we know the only source of real and lasting hope is Jesus. I'm certain already they've looked to Him. To Debbie, her daughter, her family and her friends, we offer our prayer... Read more →

Charlton Heston: A Hollywood Legend

One of the great stars of film is dead. The following scene is classic: With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Luke Liechty: All Things SBC

Well, thanks to the faithful readers at SBCTomorrow: The Final Four we shall go. Just have to break in: if you planned to vote in the March Madness finals, now is the time to do so. SBCTomorrow is neck and neck with Micah Fries, who is, by the way, an outstanding SBC blogger. Our conference is undoubtedly the toughest one as the total votes are tallied. I appreciate all who voted for us. I even appreciate those who thought about it but didn't :^) With that, I am...Peter Louisiana Pastor... Read more →