The Together 2016 gathering on the National Mall July 16 had a grand ambition. According to its website, “Moments of historic change are often marked by historic gatherings.” While this can certainly be validated throughout the annals of history within social, cultural, and political arenas, it seems less so within the spiritual one. Indeed, the greatest … Read more
Perry Noble, who has often irked the ire of polemicists for sermons that fall short of sound Biblical exposition, for secularized sensationalism and for occasionally yelling at church members who desire deeper discipleship, has been relieved of his post for behavior relating to alcohol consumption. In 2013, Noble approved of alcohol consumption in a Ask-and-Answer … Read more
We’ve heard it all, folks. As polemicists, deflections avoiding substantive discussion typically come from either (1) misdirecting accolades of the good qualities of the person or institution questioned or (2) firing accusatory bullets toward the messenger. Examples of these common deflections… NewSpring plays Highway to Hell on Easter, but did you hear about their young singles … Read more
Five days after Donald Trump announced that, despite the “I was born with this anatomy” gender clues, people should be free to use the bathroom of their choice, Perry Noble tacitly endorsed him. At a minimum, Noble lauds “the Donald” as a worthy leadership example. In Four Reasons Why I Believe Donald Trump Will … Read more
Not content to make their livings simply preaching God’s word and providing spiritual guidance to the members of the congregations, many church pastors seek to further monetize their holy callings by participating in Christian travel offerings. The business model is simple; pastors provide a base (their own congregation) who can purchase tickets from travel service providers in … Read more
If You See Something, Say Something is a public service campaign started by the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority, now licensed by the Department of Homeland Security and has become popularized in use by police departments and transit officers across the country. It’s printed on posters and in radio PSAs, announced over loud speakers at … Read more
It belongs over on the Babylon Bee, actually. On Monday, wanna-be jet-setter, word faith, prosperity gospel heretic Creflo Dollar quoted John MacArthur. Read that again. Creflo Dollar QUOTED John MacArthur. It was in the form of a tweet posted by Dollar on Monday, April 11. It yielded, for Creflo, a rather paltry number of … Read more
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18 There are two kinds of people in the Southern Baptist Convention. This will be evident to you, if you are a Southern Baptist and if you’re paying any attention to the accelerating pace of our modern downgrade. These two groups aren’t the sheep and the … Read more
After thinking long and hard about our actions over the past few years, we here at the Pulpit & Pen would like to apologize to our readership and the subjects of our many articles and podcasts. In reflecting on all the digital ink we’ve spilled in our zeal to expose unfruitful deeds of darkness and … Read more
“I am the entertainer, the idol of my age; I make all kind of money, when I go on the stage.” Billy Joel, The Entertainer There is emerging and has emerged a new breed of pastor pushing a new brand of church. Though these emerging men call themselves pastors, they are anything but shepherds. Though … Read more
I’m so tired. I’m tired of discernment. I’m tired of polemics. I’m tired of watching the other guys who produce material for Pulpit & Pen report on yet another obvious departure from orthodoxy. I’m tired of seeing the articles and news stories and screenshots and tweets and YouTube videos posted in the infamous Pulpit Bunker. The … Read more
“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” Titus 1:5 I am a student at a Southern Baptist seminary that is located hundreds of miles from the city in which I reside. Thankfully, distance learning options are … Read more
Just when you think there might be a glimmer of hope in the SBC, just when we are finally nearing the end of Ronnie Floyd’s doctrinally-undiscerning domain of its presidency, the Baptist Press reports the news that multi-site, mega-church, Reformed charismatic pastor, J.D. Greear, will be seeking the helm of the convention. The announcement (Baptist … Read more
I have to admit that when I first heard the news that JD Greear would be nominated for next SBC president by Jimmy Scroggins, my first reaction was, “well…it could be worse!” Afterall, Greear’s sermons are usually solid, he’s “reformed” (for whatever that’s worth these days), and he does have an approachable personality–and anybody would … Read more
According to the Azusa website, the Seymour Award “is given to a senior leader in ministry who exhibits the characteristics of the Lord’s humble servant, Bishop William J. Seymour.” This year, the award will be presented to the false teacher and denier of the Trinity, Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potter’s House. The Christian Newswire reports, … Read more
