This was so good that I decided to transcribe the whole thing. Dr. Piper summarizes a lot of how I feel concerning the spiritual upbringing that I’ve had and how it relates to legalism.

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Right now, I really want to write an essay on the foolishness behind the anti-alcohol trend in the SBC. But I don’t have time. So, this may serve as an outline for me to do this sometime in the future, and will hopefully generate some good discussion.

First, the resolution states clearly in the title that it concerns alcohol use “in America.” If alcohol is as evil as the authors of the resolution insist (the SBC apparently agreed with this), why doesn’t it condemn alcohol worldwide? And why stop at today’s world? Let’s go ahead and say that alcohol has always been, and will always be, an instrument of the devil. Oh wait, that makes Jesus a sinner, and Paul the Apostle foolish and uninspired. I knew there was a reason.

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These thoughts from Touchstone briefly summarize some of my concerns from the “Theological Hermeneutics” series with regard to complementarianism and egalitarianism. Great minds think alike (HT: Mere Christians)

Also, Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds has linked to someone who has done an amazing job detailing the importance of studying the Puritans. A++++++ on this stuff.

As promised, I’m going to post a series on the recent on-goings within the SBC. Those of you from the College Station community will know what I mean when I say that this series may serve as a “theological sternum” - it may hit you in the chest. So, if you have a weak stomach, you may want to avoid this series. I’m attempting in this series to fight against the narrowing focus of the SBC, and against the poor appropriation of Christian Ethics in my denomination. Lastly, I’m also trying to show that we, as Christians, must learn to embrace our culture, interact with it, and, ultimately, seek to redeem as much of it as possible. This includes things that we condemn as evil becuase we viewed things with a bad perspective (i.e. - alcohol in moderation).

So, before we really get going, take some time to read SBC Resolution # 5 of 2006 (copy posted below). Leave a comment - let me know if you agree or disagree, and why.

Resolution No. 5

ON ALCOHOL USE IN AMERICA

WHEREAS, Years of research confirm biblical warnings that alcohol use leads to physical, mental, and emotional damage (e.g., Proverbs 23:29-35); and

WHEREAS, Alcohol use has led to countless injuries and deaths on our nation’s highways; and

WHEREAS, The breakup of families and homes can be directly and indirectly attributed to alcohol use by one or more members of a family; and

WHEREAS, The use of alcohol as a recreational beverage has been shown to lead individuals down a path of addiction to alcohol and toward the use of other kinds of drugs, both legal and illegal; and

WHEREAS, There are some religious leaders who are now advocating the consumption of alcoholic beverages based on a misinterpretation of the doctrine of “our freedom in Christ”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, June 13-14, 2006, express our total opposition to the manufacturing, advertising, distributing, and consuming of alcoholic beverages; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge that no one be elected to serve as a trustee or member of any entity or committee of the Southern Baptist Convention that is a user of alcoholic beverages.

RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to take an active role in supporting legislation that is intended to curb alcohol use in our communities and nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptists to be actively involved in educating students and adults concerning the destructive nature of alcoholic beverages; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we commend organizations and ministries that treat alcohol-related problems from a biblical perspective and promote abstinence and encourage local churches to begin and/or support such biblically-based ministries.

Just how narrow will the SBC get? This is an argument to return to the creeds. Oh, that Patristic theology wold be revived.

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said “Stop! Don’t do it!” “Why shouldn’t I?” he said. “Well, there’s so much to live for!” “Like what?” “Well… are you religious?” He said yes. I said, “Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?” “Christian.” “Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant ? “Protestant.” “Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?” “Baptist” “Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?” “Baptist Church of God!” “Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you reformed Baptist Church of God?” “Reformed Baptist Church of God!” “Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?” He said, “Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!” I said, “Die, heretic scum”, and pushed him off. (Emo Philips)

Raymond Lull: First Missionary to the Moslems

Raymond Lull is my new hero of the faith, besides Jesus. Since being called into full-time Christian vocational ministry, I’ve struggled with what exactly my calling was. I feel very comfortable in an academic setting because God has gifted me with an intellect that I can use well, and a desire to educate myself an others. But the Lord has seen fit to place me in a missions organization (HGM) where academic theology is not stressed. So, I’ve had to ask myself, “Is there a place for an academician in the missions world, or do I need to change in order to fulfill my calling?” Then I read Samuel Zwemer’s biography of Raymond Lull.

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SBC Outpost has posted some great, pithy comments concerning the current SBC controversies. Personally, I think the precepts behind his statements are very applicable to our community in College Station.

After that, take some time to read Rachel Holland’s thoughts concerning the SIN of gossip. A question: How is this sin compatible with the requirements for biblical leadership found in 1 Tim. 3? Discuss.

There is something distinctly Christian about beauty, even though beauty can seem relative. How can this be since “beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” Because there is something evil about ugliness. When we really take a look at things, there are at least some universal principles when it comes to identifying something as beautiful. To truly analyze this requires more time than I want to take, and more philosophy than I know.

But, why does this matter anyway? I was struck in reading a devotional passage from John Piper. Consider this thought provoking paragraph.

“The other reason I say that imagination is a Christian duty is that when a person speaks or writes or sings or paints about breathtaking truth in a boring way, it is probably sin. The supremacy of God in the life of the mind is not honored when God and His amazing world are observed truly, analyzed duly, and communicated boringly. Imagination is the key to killing boredom. We must imagine ways to say truth for what it really is. And it is not boring.”

Right on! I think this is going to prove more and more important as we move further away from modernity, and more towards a post-modern culture. People will listen if there is something beautiful about what we have to say, and Christianity is beautiful because Christ is beautiful. Consider: love is a beautiful thing, and so is the end of world hunger, racism, and hatred. Death being destroyed is a precious thought. Living forever with God in supreme harmony is a joyous, happy, wonderful, beautiful thought! We’ve got to learn to appeal to people’s sense of beauty when we talk about Christianity. To fail to do so might be sin.

Through the Dust – Denny Gunderson

This book kicked me in the teeth. Gunderson’s commitment to Christology provided a rich examination of the model of the Savior, and a strong critique of modern “leadership.” The author repeatedly points out how modern Christians often look to Nehemiah or Joshua for examples of leaders in the Bible, but continually overlook the servant leadership of Jesus. Every chapter paints a picture in which, based on the wisdom of the world, it would seem that Jesus should have responded in a manner differently than He actually did. I took two months to read this book (one chapter per week) so that I could really digest what I was reading. Taking the extra time allowed me to truly examine my own heart, and the leadership structures that I’m familiar with based on my upbringing in the Christian church. I am thoroughly convinced that we need nothing short of another Reformation to deliver us from the ungodly methods that have been modeled for us.

However, where many have read this book and have rejected institutional Christianity en total, I have not. Instead, I have desired catholicity and accountability in the worldwide Church to fight against the problems we see running rampant in so many fellowships today. Furthermore, even though I loosely hold to a lay/clergy distinction, I firmly hold to the idea that both laity and clergy should serve together on a board of elders in governing a church. Thus, reading this book has convinced me that single elder/pastor led congregations are going to have certain problems that can be avoided if alternative forms of church government were chosen (i.e. – Presbyterianism). More over, the Reformation that I (along with Jesus) am calling for concerns orthopraxy (right practices and actions) and orthodpathy (right feelings and motivations) more than it does orthodoxy (right doctrine and theology). Read this book. Read it slowly. Examine what you’ve seen and heard. You’ll be convinced that much of what is called “Christian leadership” is little more than power-mongering territorialism. I know that I’m bringing my own bad situations into my reading of Through the Dust, but I’d be surprised to learn that I’m the exception. Hopefully others will give this book a read, and some beneficial, edifying conversations will be generated in the body of Christ.

Learning to Love People you don’t Like – Floyd McClung

This was a difficult book to read. Not because it was dry, and not because I disagreed with what McClung has to say. In fact, it was just the opposite. I was struck to the core over and over again as I read story after story that revealed my sin to me. By God’s grace, this conviction led to godly sorrow, and that to repentance many times over. This book, along with the other book mentioned below, aided me in reevaluating my paradigms for relationships and leadership. This book is highly practical and immensely beneficial to those who will take the time to pray through what the Holy Spirit reveals. Devotional in nature, the theological precepts of this book are simple: God has given us a command to love everyone – our friends, our neighbors, and even our enemies. This book should be required reading for all Christians when they join a church, or at least for clergy. If anyone has ever had a clash with someone, they should read this in order to learn what godly relationships can look like, even with people who you don’t like. Please don’t mistake this short review to communicate that this book isn’t important. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, view the brevity as me not wanting to spoil the fruit that will be born in your life by reading it. Furthermore, I can’t adequately describe how much this book helped me. Move this book up in your reading list. Read it slowly, and devotionally (one chapter a week, or something). It will be worth your effort.