As fall arrives, and with school back in session, women’s groups at churches are revving up for “Bible studies.” If they are Southern Baptist or are otherwise prone to utilize the spiritually dangerous wares from Lifeway, one of the prevalent “teachers” being promoted is Priscilla Shirer. This is not a review of Armor of God … Read more
If you do not know the Kendrick brothers by name, you almost certainly know them by their films: Flywheel (2003),Facing the Giants (2006), Fireproof (2008), and Courageous (2011). Stephen, Alex, and Shannon Kendrick have just released their fifth faith-based film, War Room. War Room, starring popular Bible teachers Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore, looks like it may well be the most successful of their films to date bringing in $11 million just on its opening weekend; more than triple it’s $3 million production budget.
Given the popularity of Christian themed films and the considerable buzz about this one in particular, my wife, Kathy, and I went to see War Room on the evening of September 3rd so that I could write a review. For those of you who read my review of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s movie, Son of God, you know that I am a bit skeptical of the Christian movie genre as a whole. Nonetheless, I do want to offer what I hope to be a fair review. This review will not touch on every single facet of the movie or even on every theme it presents, but I do hope to address what I believe to be the most important of them.
On the eve of the release of War Room, I wrote this piece to accompany my earlier review of that film. This article includes a listing of War Room’s many companion products, which have been made available through LifeWay Christian Resources. War Room has been heavily promoted by LifeWay representatives throughout the United States. Local Baptist … Read more
We all know how critical many have been of Lifeway “Christian” Stores lately and for good reason. Lifeway, as an extension of the Southern Baptist Convention, and representing the larger section of conservative Evangelical Christianity, seems to have a knack for peddling heresy for profit. First, there was the uprising against well-known heresy such as … Read more
For years my parents have taken an annual Spring or Summer vacation to Amelia Island, just outside of Jacksonville, Florida. It is, in my opinion, one of the nicer beach destinations in Florida. It doesn’t have the six pack and go-kart feel of tourist towns such as Panama City Beach. It’s a different kind of … Read more
The nation’s largest Protestant denomination has largely gone theologically liberal, with the vast majority of its leaders far more resembling those thrust out of the denomination by the famous Conservative Resurgence than those who wrestled from them control. It’s not uncommon to hear Baptist preachers today equivocate on female leadership within the church, going so … Read more
On the day of Judgment, the typical crack-dealer on the street corner will have less wrath of God poured out upon him that Thom Rainer. What Thom Rainer has made a career selling, destroys not only the body but the soul. Lifeway ‘Christian’ Resources peddles literally every known heresy under the sun. They have abused … Read more
So agree. It’s way past time to inventory our personal libraries, to add to them where they are woefully lacking & to quit being clay theologically shaped by only one shade of hands. That needs to be over. It has failed and robbed us. For starters, Jesus didn’t have white hands. — Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) … Read more
To the Board of Trustees at LifeWay Christian Resources, I am writing this open cover letter to express my interest in succeeding Thom Rainer as President of LifeWay. As you know, LifeWay and its sister organization, Guidestone, are unique among Southen Baptist entitities in that they are self-supporting concerns which operate as profit-generating businesses. At … Read more
My name is Karen. I live in Montana. My husband and I are members of a Baptist church that adheres to the 1689 London Baptist Confession. I have broken free of Beth Moore. The Apostle Paul told the Colossian church, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which … Read more
At Pulpit & Pen we are often condemned as “pharisees.” Such is the result of being polemical of and discerning about today’s money-and-popularity-driven evangelical industrial complex. This type of condemnation is such a frequent occurrence that we published an article, The Pharisee Card, with which to page slap the frequent detractors who send us emails accusing us … Read more
I really like Michelle Lesley and her work at michellelesley.com. I cite her often. Michelle is the type of (female) author the SBC needs but, unfortunately, as LifeWay sales indicate, not the type of author the SBC wants. As a minister’s wife and long-time Baptist, Michelle is well aware of the desperate need of reform … Read more
My name is Robin. I am a Baptist from Oklahoma and I have broken free from Beth Moore. At one time in my life, I was the biggest Beth Moore “fan” out there. I participated in her Bible studies, attended numerous Living Proof Live events, and when I couldn’t attend one in person, I found … Read more
Is Paul Washer partnering with Hillsong? No. BACKGROUND Listen, I’ve been doing discernment work for years. Pulpit & Pen has been doing its thing for eight years. We have become the infamous “Rolex of Polemics Blogs.” Heck, we brought back the term, polemics, into vogue; before we pulled the term out of the dustbin of … Read more
For some, it was a big deal that H.B. Charles was elected the first Black president of the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference, which precedes the annual convention meeting each summer. Charles is the pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a council member for The Gospel Coalition. The Baptist Press called his … Read more
