Culture and Sexuality

The Allan Guttmacher Institute, a renowned research company that studies social issues in America, recently released its findings indicating that over 90% of Americans claim to have had premarital sex. The study, which was covered by AP in an article here, has not surpisingly been met with skepticism by some conservatives. Regardless of the margin of error, the study brings two thoughts immediately to mind: 1) It dispels the myth of nostalgic chastity, or the idea that women 60 years ago were less sexually active than women today; 2) Evangelicals have lost ground in the cultural battle on sexuality and prevailing postmodern views on the subject (my body = my property/right/perspective).

Golf Clubs for sale!

I am selling my Taylor Made Rac OS2 golf clubs. They are right-handed, graphite-shaft, regular flex and have barely been used. Price is $425. Send me an email at bshields@highviewbaptist.org if you are interested.

Danny Akin on Theological Integrity

I recently got a hold of a message that Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Seminary, sent to his students regarding theological integrity. This is a well needed challenge for all of us who by trade are wordsmiths and idealogues. It is also a referendum on useless, "pie-in-the-sky" theology that serves no purpose for the church. I would love to hear some feedback on this email below.

A Plea For Theological Responsibility And Integrity
In recent days it has become painfully evident that many Southern Baptists do not “do theology” very well. Some are apparently ill informed and sloppy. Others trying to be cute, are bombastic and irresponsible. Despite our rhetoric to be “people of the Book”, we do not know the Book very well. We do not grasp its rich theology. We are failing, and failing miserably, to obey 2 Timothy 2:15-16: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater measure of godlessness.”

I want our students to do better. I want you to do theology well. I want you to be clear and careful thinkers, gracious and competent teachers. I want you to be able to articulate a biblically balanced theology with conviction as well as charity. I want our Lord to give you the wisdom of knowing which theological hills are worth dying on, and which ones brothers and sisters in Christ can agreeably disagree, and yet love each other and work with each other in building the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and reaching the nations with the gospel.

If you are wondering what are some of the careless theological statements I have in mind that has moved me to put this challenge before you, let me note just a few that I have heard coming from a number of different directions.

1) You cannot attract a crowd and build a church on expository preaching. It is true you can build a crowd without biblical exposition, but you will never build a Christ-honoring New Testament Church without faithful exposition of the whole counsel of God’s inerrant Word. Further, a number of churches in our Convention have built both a growing church in terms of breadth and depth. It does not have to be an either/or scenario.

2) Evangelical Calvinism is an oxymoron. Anyone who knows church and Baptist history knows how irresponsible this statement is. William Carey, Luther Rice, Adoniram Judson, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Spurgeon, James Boyce, Basil Manly Jr., and John Broadus are just a few of the great missionaries, pastors, and theologians who embraced a Reformed Theology. You may be convinced that Calvinism is wrong. However, do not make yourself look foolish by saying there are no passionate, evangelical Calvinists.

3) Five-point Calvinism is the same as Hyper-Calvinism. This statement again demonstrates historical ignorance. Hyper-Calvinism is a particular movement that appeared in the mid 1700’s that rejects the mandate to share the gospel, denies man’s responsibility to repent and believe the gospel, and in some instances runs perilously close to making God the author of sin. The overwhelming majority of five-point Calvinists would reject each of these positions. Spurgeon, himself a five-point Calvinist denounced in the strongest measure these errors in Spurgeon and “hyper-Calvinism.”

Now, those of you who know my theology know I am not a five-point Calvinist. I believe Unconditional Election is not incompatible with “the free will and responsibility of intelligent creatures” (Abstract of Principles, art. IV), I affirm a Universal Provision with a Limited Application as it pertains to the Atonement, and I believe Effectual Calling to be a much better way to describe a significant aspect of the salvation process than Irresistible Grace. Further, anything that weakens the missionary passion of the church and the evangelistic favor of an individual is both dangerous and useless to the Church. Perhaps what some mean by “hyper-Calvinism” is extreme Calvinism or Calvinists with an attitude. I have met more than a few in my lifetime and to be sure, they were not of much value when it comes to the health of the church and reaching the lost. Still, we need to be honest with history and accurate with the facts. Mischaracterizations are of no value on any level.

4) Calvinists are worse than Muslims. The irresponsibility of this statement is tragic. It is one thing to disagree with your brothers and sisters in Christ on a point of theology. It is incredible that you would place them in the category of unbelieving militants who murder innocent victims in the name of Allah.

5) Jesus was a Calvinist. Theological foolishness is not limited to one theological perspective. In a Pastor’s Conference a few years ago one of my pulpit heroes made this statement. Recently a friend of mine wrote a book with one of the chapters entitled, “Christ, The Calvinist.” Such statements are wrongheaded, and yes, again irresponsible, at several points. First, the statement is historically anachronistic. Second, it is Christologically disrespectful. Jesus is the Lord. He is the King. He is God. Our Savior is the grand subject of Christian theology. So whether it is Whitefield, Boice (men I greatly love and admire), or whomever, to call Jesus a Calvinist is theologically misguided and pastorally dangerous. Yes, Jesus believes God is sovereign but He also taught man is responsible. Yes, Jesus taught, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44), but He also gave us the Great Commission (Matt 28:16-20).

6) You cannot teach your young people theology. I have a simple and direct challenge: try it. Try it and see what happens. I suspect you will be wonderfully surprised. I suspect some of you will be significantly put to the test!

Though I could say much more let me conclude with a simple but helpful beatitude: “Blessed are the balanced, for they will avoid unhealthy extremes.” This is true in doing theology. This is true in our speech. This is true for all aspects of the Christian life.
I love you and thank God for you. May you and your family have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Daniel L. Akin

Bubba Hog and Passion

I know I probably post too many videos on here, but I find it hilarious the amount of shameless self-videos people will publish on the Internet. This latest one, Bubba Hog, is an inspiring example of passion. Can you imagine what church would look like if everyone got this excited on Sunday mornings? Alright, maybe this particular image might repel the lost...but you get the idea.

Jack is Back!

It's finally been released...the trailer for season 6 of the best show ever produced, "24." Watch the trailer and give me some feedback on why you want to be like Jack Bauer!

Tis' the Season...?

Ah, Christmas is in the air once again. The smell of egg nog, the sounds of children laughing and playing, and the sight of...armed robbers SHOOTING somebody in line for the new Playstation 3? Society has progressed (or regressed?) a long way from the 1st century cradle to the 21st century criminal. Read the frightening, yet very telling, story about the American pursuit of materialism here. How does the song go again? "Tis the season to be...?"

Diet Coke and Mentos

If you like Diet Coke, you will appreciate this video. But as always with these videos, I just wonder who has the free time and money to put this thing together? Seriously.

A New Kind of Youth Ministry?

TIME magazine has recently (of all sources) weighed in on the youth ministry debate. Discussion on the validity and biblical basis for youth ministry has many, including former youth speaker Voddie Baucham (http://www.voddiebaucham.org/Blog/Blog.html), questioning where youth ministry is heading in the 21st century and how it will be different than the older paradigm of the 80s and 90s. You can read the article here. Is their critique valid, and what legitimate concerns about historical youth ministry are proponents addressing?

Relief from campaign videos

Finally, the most satisfying part of the election season is finally here - no more campaign ads and smearmercials. However, there was one hotly contested battle you might not have heard about in a playground near you...

Better late than never...

I am making my long awaited splash entrance into the world of blogging. I thought for awhile it was a bit presumptious to assume other people would want to hear the random ruminations that run through my head each day...now I think it's just fun to have your own blogspot.