Southern Baptists have historically held that the pastorate is reserved for qualified male leadership in the church. But one Southern Baptist church is making strides into new territory. First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, TN, has named a new pastor–and her name is Ellen Di Giosia. As of this writing, the church is still listed … Read more
The following testimony was submitted to Pulpit & Pen for publication: My name is Lauran. I am a Southern Baptist from Tennessee. I walked the aisle to accept Jesus at age 5 but I believe I was truly saved 12 years ago at the age of 21. I am currently the women’s Bible study leader at our … Read more
“The Holy Spirit is the most forgotten, the most misrepresented, the most dishonored, the most grieved, the most abused, and I might even say the most blasphemed of the members of the Trinity.” John MacArthur That statement by John MacArthur comes from a sermon in 2011, just two years prior to the release of his … Read more
Dear Reformed African American Network, I saw your open letter of rebuke to Lifeway. To introduce myself, you can consider me the proto-critic of Lifeway. Do you remember #the15? That was me. Do you remember Alex Malarkey’s open letter to Lifeway that was the biggest news story in the world for two days in 2015? … Read more
This Sunday is “Racial Reconciliation Sunday,” as bequeathed by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. As a part of that effort, they have released free bulletin inserts to advertise the theme-day and promote the ERLC. The insert begins with a quotation from Martin Luther King, who they said “famously spoke of the ‘fierce urgency of … Read more
“The job of the organizer is to maneuver and bait the establishment so that it will publicly attack him as a ‘dangerous enemy.’” —Saul Alinsky Yesterday, Texas pastor Dwight McKissic published an article entitled “If Russell Moore is fired, ‘Unto Us’ A Trump Baptist Convention Is Born” at Southern Baptist interest blog SBC Voices. McKissic is not … Read more
Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 This happens every year. (Eccl. 1:9) We’ve arrived at that chronological point of the year in which unfettered amounts of superfluous summarizing digital data will be hurled across any and all media. The summations of authoritative data will be culled from polls, … Read more
“There is no limit to how complicated things can get, on account of one thing always leading to another.” E. B. White E.B. White’s observation of the obvious is assuredly the case when looking at the goings-on of The Salvation Army. Things get very complicated when trying to determine exactly what the Army is and … Read more
“In a recent interview, [Hatmaker] voiced significant changes in her theology of human sexuality and the meaning and definition of marriage — changes which contradict LifeWay’s doctrinal guidelines,” LifeWay spokesman Marty King told Baptist Press today (Oct. 27). “As a result, LifeWay has discontinued selling her resources.” (Source, Baptist Press) While many on social … Read more
“The first person speaking of Jesus in Jesus Calling is a tremendous blessing in my life devotionally as His promises come alive in my heart.” Johnny Hunt There was a time when Johnny Hunt was one of the most respectable names in all of Southern Baptist life. As a defender of biblical inerrancy, Hunt was one of … Read more
Orthdoxy. Sound doctrine. Authority and sufficiency of Scripture. The exaltation of Christ in His Word. These things may seem obvious expectations to be found in a church, for even the most casual reader of Scripture. Add the Biblically prescribed ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism and you could probably safely assume you have a … Read more
In just a couple of days, the preeminent, and self-proclaimed, spiritual “leaders” of “American Christianity” will be convening, on behalf of America, a “solemn assembly,” a la Old Testament precepts for God’s actual and only chosen nation – Israel. (But really, pesky little interpretative details about God’s revelation in Scripture don’t really matter when it’s … Read more
Marco Rubio was far and above the favorite candidate of the Evangelical Intelligentsia in this election cycle. We were told by evangelical leaders like Russell Moore, Eric Teetsel, Wayne Grudem, Denny Burk and Greg Laurie that Rubio – who said he was “fully theologically and doctrinally aligned with the Roman Catholic Church” – was a … Read more
Southern Baptists are our own best cheerleaders. The ubiquitous, distinguished sound of back-slapping can be heard long after the annual convention is held. Regardless of whatever stereotypical posturing-reboot the leadership masterminds (this year it was providing yet another chest-thumping denunciation of racism), we’re all sure it was ground-breaking, history-making and brave. Whatever dead horse we decide to beat, … Read more
The Southern Baptist Convention’s favorite maven of false teaching and one of LifeWay’s cash cows of illicit doctrine has just wrapped up yet another conference in which the zealous worship of the false god of “unity” was portrayed. Adding credence, via intentional lack of discernment, to the “HER” in heresy, femme fatale of the faithless Beth Moore … Read more
