• Politics

    A Few Thoughts about Speaker Gingrich

    There has been a great deal of discussion about Speaker Gingrich’s rhetorical display in the first five minutes of the recent GOP debate. Gingrich’s response to John King was high drama, and he landed some punches on the “elite media.” It was quite impressive. But I agree with the remarks that Rick Santorum made right after Newt’s display. The question of character is relevant, and voters need to weigh it in the balance. Redemption is possible, and perhaps it has become a reality for Speaker Gingrich. But that does not make the Speaker’s past infidelities irrelevant to his candidacy. It may not be a disqualifying factor by itself, but it…

  • News

    I am genuinely impressed with President Obama

    President Obama visited the Apollo Theater last night in New York City. Al Green was in the audience, and the president decided to sing a couple of bars of “Let’s Stay Together.” I have to say, even though it was only a couple of lines, it was really impressive. It sounds like the President can really sing. I wish he would have done some more. Take a listen above.

  • Politics

    Ron Paul: No Constitutional Protection for the Unborn

    From time to time, people will ask me what I think about the presidential candidate Ron Paul. There is much that can be said here, but let me focus in on the issue that I believe is the most important—abortion. Paul is a libertarian, but he has a highly rated pro-life voting record in the United States Congress. Nevertheless, Ron Paul does not believe that the 14th amendment protects the life of the unborn. Here’s the language from this portion of the U.S. Constitution:

  • Christianity,  Theology/Bible

    Christianity Today Goes on the Record against Spanking

    In an online editorial, the editors of Christianity Today have gone on the record against spanking. The subtitle of the article says that “misuse of biblical teaching on discipline can have deadly consequences.” The editors then go on to list several instances of fatal child abuse that have been linked to parents who take a literal interpretation of scriptural passages on discipline. They agree with the case William Webb has made against spanking and say that Albert Mohler “seems to miss the point” on the theological ramifications of corporal punishment. Finally, the editors encourage parents to cease spanking and to “explore more creative and effective ways to train up our…

  • Christianity,  Politics

    MLK at Southern Seminary in 1961

    On April 19, 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in Alumni Chapel at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The speech was titled, “The Church on the Frontier of Racial Tension.” You can read about King’s visit to Southern Seminary here. You can listen to the address below or download it here. The SBTS library has made available a facsimile of the 1961 manuscript here. [audio:http://digital.library.sbts.edu/bitstream/handle/10392/49/A.TR.17.2.mp3]

  • Christianity,  News

    How To Convert a Full-Blooded Racist

    John Piper says that he grew up as a “full-blooded racist.” Last year he published a book that chronicles his rearing in the Jim Crow South, and he tells how the gospel is the only antidote to the sin of racism. It is a gripping account of the ugliness of racism and of the overwhelming triumph of grace. The book is titled Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian, and today Desiring God Ministries has made the book available for you to download for free. This is a remarkable book, and you really ought to read it if you haven’t already. Here’s the link for the free download: Bloodlines: Race, Cross,…