The Baptist Press reports some disturbing news: ‘The U.S. Senate passed legislation July 16 to expand hate crimes protections to include homosexuals and transgendered people.’ Here’s how the Baptist Press explains the significance of the measure: ‘The measure, combined with existing law, could expose to prosecution Christians and others who proclaim the Bible’s teaching that homosexual behavior and other sexual relations outside marriage are sinful. For example, if a person commits a violent act based on a victim’s “sexual orientation” after hearing biblical teaching on the sinfulness of homosexual behavior, the preacher or teacher could be open to a charge of inducing the person to commit the crime, some foes…
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Tom Wright on ECUSA Declaration of Independence
The Episcopal Church in the USA (ECUSA) has effectively declared its independence from the worldwide Anglican Communion. Yesterday, the House of Bishops of ECUSA voted overwhelmingly to allow practicing homosexuals to be consecrated and ordained. In taking this step, they knowingly defied the rest of the communion. Read about it here. Bishop Tom Wright has written forcefully denouncing the move in the Times online, and his remarks are worth noting. He writes:
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Healthy Economies Rely on Healthy Marriages
Pope Benedict XVI has some fascinating things to say in his latest encyclical titled Caritas in veritate “Charity in Truth.” A papal encyclical is a general letter to Roman Catholic Christians, and Popes use such letters to teach the church the Christian viewpoint on key issues. The document is 30,472 words, which translates to about 54 pages of single-spaced text. For a good summary, see Francis Beckwith’s piece at the Christianity Today website. Among other things, I found it interesting that the Pope attempted some “public access” arguments in favor of marriage. Much of this letter is taken up with economic issues, and the Pope insists that healthy economic policies…
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Derek Webb: Clean or Explicit?
Derek Webb has a new album out, and it comes with a bit of controversy. BeliefNet.com reports the following: ‘Derek Webb’s new album, Stockholm Syndrome, will be released in September in two versions: a clean and explicit version. ‘The controversy surrounds the lyrics to one of the songs, “What Matters More,” in which Webb says apparently the word “sh*t”. In typical Derek Webb fashion, he’s used a bit of shock value to make a point and in the process made his label a little nervous. (And used it all to promote the album.)‘
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Feel My Pain
Carl Trueman writes with poignancy and verve. His essays on Reformation21 are always must-reads. His latest one on whining is no exception. You’ll need to read the whole thing, but here’s the conclusion: ‘Expressions of hurt are too often really something else: cowardly attempts by representatives of a cosseted and self-obsessed culture to make themselves uniquely important or, worse still, to bully and cajole somebody they dislike to stop saying things they don’t want to hear or which they find distasteful.  My advice to such is akin to that of the counselor in the Bob Newhart sketch: Stop it! If somebody’s writing or speaking hurts you, ask yourself “Why?”, don’t…
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Russell Moore Takes on ‘Orphan’ Movie
Russell Moore guest-hosted “The Albert Mohler Program” (AMP) yesterday and took on the negative stereotyping of the new horror movie “Orphan.” It was a timely show, and you should listen to it. Below is the audio and description of the program from the AMP website. “How to Protect Orphans from Hollywood” [audio:http://www.sbts.edu/media/audio/totl/2009/AMP_07_07_2009.mp3] “Why are people so afraid of orphans? Orphans often find themselves demonized by Hollywood, and it’s happened again with the release of a new horror film about a deranged orphan girl called, Orphan. Why is it that the least of these are so easily preyed upon by those who should protect them? Guest host Dr. Russell Moore discusses…
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Declaration of Dependence
My family and I spent the 4th of July holiday on Logan Martin Lake in Pell City, Alabama; and on Sunday we worshiped at the First Baptist Church of Pell City. Dr. John Thweatt breaks the bread of life there every week, and on Sunday he called on the congregation to make a declaration of dependence. It was great message from a faithful servant of the gospel, and I am happy to share it with you. Humble Yourselves[audio:http://www.fbcpellcity.org/components/com_sermonspeaker/media/sermons/sermon07052009.mp3] Dr. Thweatt’s Blog | Twitter | FBC Pell City, AL
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Sojourn Music: The Hymns of Isaac Watts
Mike Cosper and Sojourn Music have just released another CD, and it is a block-buster: “Over The Grave: The Hymns Of Isaac Watts, volume one.” I heard these guys play live last week at the Baptist21 meeting held at Sojourn Community Church, and that is where I first heard the song that is my favorite on the album, “Only Your Blood Is Enough.” You can preview this and other songs from the album on their MySpace or Facebook pages. This is a great album, and I think you should buy it. The music and production value are excellent, and the lyrics are all from Isaac Watts. How can you go…
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Danny Akin’s Reflections on the SBC
I just finished reading Danny Akin’s reflections on the recent SBC meeting. Not only does he explain why he is encouraged about what happened in Louisville, he also answers questions about Mark Driscoll and Acts29. He writes: “It is possible years from now that we will look back on the 2009 SBC in Louisville and see it as a historic watershed moment in our history. It is possible that on the 30th anniversary of the beginning of the Conservative Resurgence (CR), we will have witnessed the natural and hoped for outcome of the CR in the genesis of a new movement of God among His people in a Great Commission…
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Thoughts on Obama’s Remarks at the LGBT Reception
President Obama hosted hundreds of gay and lesbian leaders in the White House yesterday for a “LGBT Gay Pride Month” reception. I want to comment briefly on three excerpts from the President’s remarks and conclude with some final thoughts at the end.