This is the sixth article in a series that explores the relationship between the gospel and Baptist identity. Congregational church polity (or government) is the belief that the highest earthly authority within a local church is the congregation itself. Positively, congregationalism argues that a majority of the church’s membership determines the agenda of the congregation. Negatively, congregationalism contends that no pastor/elder, deacon, or committee can dictate policy to a church or assert absolute control over a … [Read More]
Guest Blog by Central Asia RL: Biblical Foundations and Guidelines for Contextualization (Pt 1)
Biblical Foundations and Guidelines for Contextualization (Pt 1)
Editor’s Note: This guest blog is written by the IMB’s Regional Leader for Central Asia. It is a six part series, giving the biblical foundations and guidelines for contextualization, and making application to Christian ministry in the Muslim world. This series will appear as a chapter in the forthcoming book “Look What God is Doing in the Muslim World.”
Every Christian Contextualizes
Contextualization is one of the hottest topics in Missions … [Read More]
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Alvin Reid on the Southern Baptist Convention
At the heart of the Great Commission Resurgence is a burning desire to see God draw countless worshipers unto Himself, both in North America and abroad, through the ministry of Southern Baptists. Few people embody a passion for the Great Commission like our colleague Alvin Reid. Alvin occupies the Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism at Southeastern, where he has taught since 1995. He is the author of numerous books, including a widely-used evangelism textbook and … [Read More]
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God’s Guidelines for the “Gray Areas” of Life: Wise Decision-Making in a Wicked World, Part 5
Ethical and moral decision-making presents a great challenge for devoted followers of Jesus in the 21st century context. In 1 Corinthians Paul provides helpful guidelines for navigating what could be called “the gray areas” of the Christian life.
These biblical principles are true anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances. They are extremely helpful in leading us to be wise decision-makers as we live out a gospel-centered ethic.
7). Will this action follow the pattern of the life … [Read More]
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Internet Monk interviews Nathan Finn
Yesterday, InternetMonk.com interviewed our colleague Nathan Finn on “The Church Membership Question.” The interview is worth reading, covering such topics as the gospel, meaningful church membership, child baptism, and church discipline. To read the post, click here.
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Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence, Part 8: What Do We Mean by “Resurgence?”
The idea of a Great Commission Resurgence should call to mind at least two concepts with which many Southern Baptists will readily identify: mission and the Conservative Resurgence. My colleague Bruce Ashford has already done a fine job of explaining what we mean when we use the term Great Commission (see his articles here and here). My task is to define the word resurgence and shed some light on why we have chosen this particular … [Read More]
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God’s Guidelines for the “Gray Areas” of Life: Wise Decision-Making in a Wicked World, Part 4
Ethical and moral decision-making presents a great challenge for devoted followers of Jesus in the 21st century context. In 1 Corinthians Paul provides helpful guidelines for navigating what could be called “the gray areas” of the Christian life.
These biblical principles are true anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances. They are extremely helpful in leading us to be wise decision-makers as we live out a gospel-centered ethic.
5). Is this action consistent with my new life in … [Read More]
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Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence (Part 7): The United States in Great Commission Perspective
Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence (Part 7):
The United States in Great Commission Perspective
Note: This post is one in a series entitled, “Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence,” wherein we hope to give some definition of what constitutes a GCR, why the SBC needs a GCR, and what such a movement might look like in SBC life.
In the first five installments of the “Contours” series, Danny Akin, David Nelson, and Ken Keathley have written about … [Read More]
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Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Need for Gospel Consistency
Students of history know that there are two long-running debates among Baptist Christians that began in the mid-17th century and continue to the present day. The first debate has been common among many groups of Protestants: Calvinism versus Arminianism. The second debate is almost totally unique to Baptists: the relationship between baptism and the Lord’s Supper. This is a topic that I have written on in the past. While I do not believe this debate is the most important issue … [Read More]
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Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence, Pt. 6: “The Nations” in Great Commission Perspective
Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence, Pt. 6:
“The Nations” in Great Commission Perspective
Note: This post is one in a series entitled, “Contours of a Great Commission Resurgence,” wherein we hope to give some definition of what constitutes a GCR, why the SBC needs a GCR, and what such a movement might look like in SBC life.
In the first five installments of the “Contours” series, Danny Akin, David Nelson, and Ken Keathley have written about a … [Read More]
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