Christianity Today asked Philip Ryken last week what he expects “to be Wheaton’s greatest ‘identity challenge’ in relating to trends in American culture?” His answer: “I think the issue of homosexuality will for the foreseeable future be a defining challenge for the evangelical church generally, and, therefore, also for the college.” He calls homosexuality a “defining challenge” not just for Wheaton, but for all of evangelicalism. There are a number of reasons that I agree with this assessment, but let me just give you a few thoughts to consider.
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David Platt in SBTS Chapel
I believe David Platt (@plattdavid) to be the most passionate and compelling missions-mobilizer in Southern Baptist life today. He brought a powerful and convicting message in Southern Seminary’s chapel service that I think everyone needs to hear. His text is Luke 9:57-62, a text which he argues presents us with three questions about our priorities: 1. Are we going to choose comfort or the cross? (Luke 9:57-58) 2. Are we going to settle for maintenance or are we going to sacrifice for mission? (Luke 9:59-60) 3. Are our lives and ministries going to be marked by indecisive minds or undivided hearts? (Luke 9:61-62) Don’t listen to this if you don’t…
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GCR Report Now Online
Here’s a pre-recorded version of the Great Commission Resurgence interim report that Pastor Ronnie Floyd delivered tonight to the SBC Executive Committee. You can download the text version of Floyd’s address here. This is only an interim report, and the final report is not due until May. Nevertheless, it is clear that the work of the GCR Task Force promises to be epoch-making for Southern Baptists. The report warns Southern Baptists that we have two options: “Die a painful death, or live a painful change. . . What our convention chooses to do will determine what God does with this denomination. . . Wilderness wanderings or Canaan conquests.” We all…
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View GCR Report Online
Last summer, the messengers of the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention appointed a task force to study how Southern Baptists can work more faithfully and effectively together in serving Christ through the Great Commission. The final report will be given at the SBC in Orlando this summer, but Ronnie Floyd will present an interim report to the SBC Executive Committee tonight. So all eyes are on Nashville. At about 10:30pm EST, you will be able to see a video of Floyd’s report and a downloadable manuscript of his remarks at www.pray4gcr.com. Be sure to take a look. And be sure to pray for their work. (HT: Ronnie Floyd)
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Phil Ryken New President at Wheaton
Sarah Pulliam Bailey reports at the Christianity Today blog that Phil Ryken has been named the new president of Wheaton University. Read the notice here. This is wonderful news for Wheaton and for the kingdom. Dr. Ryken is a Gospel Coalition evangelical, and I can’t imagine a better pick. Justin Taylor has some biographical info on Ryken here.
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Kevin DeYoung Pillories McLaren Book
Kevin DeYoung has begun a multi-part pillorying of Brian McLaren’s new book A New Kind of Christianity. This will be a more extensive treatment than the Challies review that I highlighted yesterday, though equally as critical. You can read it here. UPDATE: The rest of DeYoung’s review is now available. You can read it here or download a PDF of the entire review. I encourage the latter.
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He Loves Jesus but Hates God
Tim Challies delivers an appropriately stinging review of Brian McLaren’s new book A New Kind of Christianity. Among other things, Challies observes that McLaren loves Jesus but hates God. In fact, Challies is convinced that this book is a de-conversion narrative that shows that McLaren has unambiguously apostatized from the Christian faith. He writes: ‘He denies the Fall, he denies original sin, he denies human depravity, he denies hell… ‘Here, in A New Kind of Christianity it’s as if McLaren is screaming “I hate God!” at the top of his lungs. And swarms of Christians are looking at him with admiration and saying, “See how that guy loves God?” I…
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Remember Kenneth Starr?
Do you remember Kenneth Starr? Most folks remember him as the independent counsel who prosecuted President Bill Clinton back in the 90’s. Most recently he’s been the dean of the law school at Pepperdine University. Yesterday, it was announced that he is to be the next President of Baylor University. The leader of the Baylor board of regents says this about Starr: “His depth of experience and exceptional record as a university dean and legal scholar, his dedication to the highest ideals of the Christian faith, and his profound commitment to public service and visionary leadership make him the ideal person to lead Baylor at this remarkable time in the…
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Youth Camp Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
Boyce College will be hosting a youth camp this summer that is unlike anything you have seen before. It is called “D3: Leadership, Worldview, Missions.” Here’s a brief description: “The four-day, three-night D3 Youth Conference is a summer experience full of learning and growing opportunities for students following Christ. Designed to accelerate high school students’ understanding of leadership, worldview and missions, D3 students will learn from the country’s strongest theologians, church executives and worship leaders while on the campus of Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.” Featured speakers include R. Albert Mohler and Russell Moore. Musical worship will be led by Josh Wilson. Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Flame will also be performing.…
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Russell Moore on Ministers Opting Out of Social Security
Russell Moore was recently asked whether it was okay for ministers to “opt out” of paying social security. Today, he posts his answer. He writes: “Social Security may or may not be around when you retire. I don’t know. I do know this: your money definitely won’t be around when you’re dead. So why waste your religious liberty on holding on to a little bit more of it for a little while longer?” Read the rest here.