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J. L. Burrows On Narrowing the Parameters: A Case for Close Communion?

According to William Cathcart's The Baptist Encyclopedia (1883), J. L. Burrows was born in New York in 1814. Educated at Andover, MA, he was ordained to the ministry in 1835 serving as pastor in New York, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania before moving to the historic First Baptist Church, Richmond, VA in 1854, a position which he sustained for twenty years. Cathcart writes of Burrows, "a graceful and eloquent pulpit orator, an easy, elegant writer, and a man of varied learning and extensive reading, and, best of all, Dr. Burrows has been... Read more →

The Vanishing Church: Searching for Significance in the 21st Century by Bob Pearle: A Review by Peter Lumpkins

Finishing up a quick-read of the book entitled unChristian by authors, David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, their working assumption is revealed by this tacit admission: "Using the lens of the careful scientific research we conducted, I invite you to see what Christianity looks like from the outside. In fact, the title of this book, unchristian, reflects outsiders' most common reaction to the faith: they think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be...After thousands of interviews... Read more →

Finally Back: by Peter Lumpkins

with that, I am... Peter Read more →

What's So Wrong With Egalitarianism? by Chris Gilliam, Guest Contributor

There are many today, in an attempt to adapt to current cultural climate, who take issues with much of the historically held biblical doctrines. One such doctrine is that of gender roles. I do not assume or attempt to enter this dialog in the realm of full scholastic exchange; rather I would like to take a look at it from a pure Pauline expression of argumentation. When one looks at the Pauline letters there is a clear identifiable pattern of writing that Paul, as an instrument of the Holy Spirit,... Read more →

On Whose Authority? by Luke Liechty, Guest Contributor

Perhaps one of the more interesting teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, though it is implied, can be found in an oft repeated phrase or just a slight variation of it. I am reducing this phrasing to a simplified version and it is as follows: “You have heard it said…but I say to you… .” This formula can be found in Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44. The Sermon on the Mount concludes in 7:28-29 with these words: And it came to pass, when Jesus had... Read more →

Bob Ross on Wade Burleson: Splat! Splat!!

The story of Buford Pusser, the legendary sheriff of McNairy County Tennessee, is fascinating. Pusser's career as a wrestler came to a close so he moved his family back to his home place to run a sawmill with daddy Carl. He's shocked to discover the level of corruption going on. And after he is a victim of it, including 200 stitches he received slice-n-dice style from the Lucky Spot, he decides from then on he'd be prepared. Pusser became well known for his four foot hickory club he used to... Read more →

Moonstruck Monday: It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World in Baptist Blogdom

I just created 2 new categories for today: "Mad, Mad World" and "Absurd." I'm thinking of reserving Mondays--at least some of them--for either of these two. The kickoff--indeed the post that defines both the Absurd and Mad, Mad World--comes from Enid, OK. The kicker quote? Watch the flick and then continue to read: "the official Baptist Identity movement is not truly Baptist" Well, there you have it. It's official! Too bad for Bart Barber, the SBC Today boys, and, of course, Drs. Paige Patterson and Malcolm Yarnell, not to mention... Read more →

OH THAT MEN WOULD CONFESS by SelahV

Last week I had a heart catherization that proved to my doctors that my heart was clean and free of suspected blockages. Although I was glad that so many people's prayers had been answered, I need to confess. I was rather disgruntled that the doctors had insisted I have these expensive tests before they looked to less costly ones to rule out other things that cause similar symptoms of heart disease. Today, I realize how ungrateful I am. "Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His... Read more →

The Atonement of Christ: A Prelude to Dialog by Luke Liechty

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins…As he spake these words, many believed on him” (John 8:24, 30 respectively). At the cross, where Jesus laid down his life, an infinite price was paid. An infinite debt was paid. An infinite punishment was endured. A single transaction of infinite effect was made. However, the legal effects of this sacrifice, as pertaining to a particular sinner’s guilt before God, only becomes applied at... Read more →

Those God Loves..."Pursue Righteousness" by SelahV

When I think of righteousness, I think of Jesus. I think of His complete allegiance to God and Scripture--the words He used to overcome temptation in the wilderness..."it is written". I think of how pure He thought, how focused He was on His Father's will, how obedient He was to His Father's purpose and plan. I consider how he rebuked those who lived in hypocrisy--like "white-washed tombs"--those preaching and teaching one thing, yet doing another. I see His kindness to the children, His gentleness towards Mary, His compassion with the... Read more →