Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
What Tea Party Protesters Get Right
I'm a tea drinker, in the morning, alone. I don't, that is, attend tea parties, whether they be of the social or, more recently, the political types. In fact, I couldn't care less about the light and polite tea parties...
Going It Alone? Why We Need Community
In an article in Perspectives in Religious Studies more than a decade ago, Baptist historian Walter Shurden commented on the organic tension in Baptist life between individualism and community. In the article, he...
Strong and Tender
A sermon delivered by Keith Herron, Pastor of Holmeswood Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 28, 2010. Luke 13:31-35 Read this text with a sharp eye on the imagery it evokes and it’s hard not to notice how...
‘Where there is hatred…’
For some odd reason, openly expressing hatred toward groups seems more socially acceptable than toward individuals. While the targets of hostility change over the years, the sad practice continues. Early in my life,...
Forces and Faith
A sermon delivered by Wendell Griffen, Pastor of New Millennium Church, Little Rock, Ark. on Feb.21, 2010. Luke 4:1-13 The term "shakedown cruise" is used by sailors and ship owners to describe a performance test...
The Law Limits
A sermon delivered by Joel Snider, Pastor of First Baptist Church, Rome, Ga. Feb. 21, 2010. Exodus 20:1-21 Meditation Text: The commandments are not guidelines for humanity in general. They are a countercultural way...
Guns and Religion: a Scary Mix
A Baptist pastor/evangelist recently opened a gun store in Smithfield, N.C., along with lots of help from his wife and his son, who manages the store. They were stuck on a name for the the store, which features...
Baylor Regents, Others Devalue Authentic Churchmanship with Words about Ken Starr
Baylor University regents and advisory committee members cheapened Baptist church membership with their introduction of Ken Starr as the institution's next president. One member of the group completely misrepresented...
Three Reasons to Abolish the Death Penalty
On the death penalty, as on so many issues, Will D. Campbell has been out in front of many of us. Perhaps you have heard the story about a debate he had on this subject. His opponent made a case for capital punishment...
“Avatar” to “Up in the Air”: Top 10 Films of 2009
As the Oscars approach on March 7, I find myself reflecting on the films I would most like to see again. The films below resonated with me and ultimately found a place on my top-ten list. In their own way, each...
Looking for signs
As my bleary eyes strained toward the television last night, the updated Winter Games medal count was posted with the U.S. holding a slight edge over the Germans. Coming in third, Norway had compiled 18 medals — an...
Married to Five Women in One Lifetime
Once I realized I would be married to at least five different women in my lifetime, it was a lot easier to get married. You may think my wife would cringe when reading this statement, but by my count, I've already been...
Top Five: Pastors Need These Folks in Church
With apologies to Mitch Albom, here's my take on the five people a pastor needs in church. 1. A friend. Because pastors are human beings, we need a social network of friends. However, some pastors continue to believe...
Every Minister Needs Truth-Tellers Like Nathan
Who is your Nathan? Every minister needs a Nathan. No exceptions. You know Nathan, the bold truth-teller who finally broke through King David's rationalizations and justifications. Nathan served the kingdom by speaking...
Great Commission Sermonizing
A "Great Commission Resurgence" task force appointed to recommend ways to revitalize the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) made a progress report to the SBC's executive committee Feb. 22. You can find news stories at...
Baptist-Muslim Panelists Stress Interfaith Action at Documentary Screening in Houston
When a Muslim told a story about his neighbor who said she knew he wasn't a terrorist but that all other Muslims were, he got a chuckle from a room full of Muslims and a few rows of Baptists. When a Baptist said that...
Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate Urges Tax Reform
Alabama Democrat Artur Davis is on a crusade to change the state's tax code, with the goal of helping those who are struggling financially. The four-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives is running against...
What Health Care Insurers Share With Dead Sea
The Jordan River has been the subject of many songs. "The Jordan River is deep and wide, Hallelujah." Or "I looked over the Jordan and what did I see, coming for to carry me home." With songs such as this one, one...
Work well done
"Make-it-right" contractor Mike Holmes of HGTV is something of a renovation superhero. In each episode of "Holmes on Homes," the muscular man and his team of construction workers clean up somebody else's mess.The...
The Temptations
This sermon was delivered by Robert Browning, Pastor of Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia on Feb. 21, 2010. Luke 4:1-13 This week, our attention is drawn to the temptation of Jesus in the desert soon...
Excessive Nationalism Undermines Olympics
We are halfway through the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, and I've managed to absorb several national anthems. Frankly, I've developed slightly antagonistic feelings toward the interplay of sports and patriotism as a result....