Conspiracy theories are usually entertaining. And, they often contain a modicum of truth, but not much more. I believe this is the case with this myth as well. The GCRTF has watched, as have most Southern Baptists, with great interest the events that have unfolded in recent months (and days!) at NAMB, IMB and the Executive Committee. It would be dishonest to say we did not anticipate or see some of these things coming (others … [Read More]
What We Often Fail to Say about Christian Higher Education
In early September, President Bill Underwood of Mercer University authored an op-ed piece for Associated Baptist Press titled “Defining Baptist Higher Education for the 21st Century.” Gene Fant, dean of arts and sciences at Union University, recently penned a response to Underwood’s missive. Hunter Baker reprinted Fant’s article at First Thoughts, a blog attached to First Things. If you are even remotely interested in Christian (and especially Baptist) higher education, I urge you to read both Underwood’s … [Read More]
Bart Ehrman – Dinesh D’Souza debate @ UNC on “the Problem of Evil”
I have to admit that I was not all that pleased with the outcome of the Bart Ehrman-Dinesh D’Souza debate last week. I have enjoyed a number of D’Souza’s writings, and am much more (obviously) in his camp, but don’t feel that he well represented the biblical position on the problem of evil. Ehrman was at his best, raising all the right questions. I found D’Souza’s answers mostly flat, unsatisfying, and not really representative of … [Read More]
Creation Care Conference at SEBTS
We at Between the Times would like to make our readers aware of an upcoming Creation Care conference at Southeastern. On October 30 and 31, 2009, Southeastern’s L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture will host the conference which examines current issues related to the care of God’s creation. The Center for Faith and Culture seeks to provide a theological lens through which to view issues at the intersection of Christian faith and the environment, … [Read More]
Let’s All Take a Deep Breath about NAMB
NAMB is the talk of the convention right now. Or, at least it is in the top three of topics currently discussed at many denomination meetings. With the presidential vacancy at NAMB and the retirement announcements by Drs. Rankin and Chapman, plenty of people are wondering what will happen next.
Yesterday, the trustees made some helpful decisions: making Richard Harris the interim president, appointing Frank Page as Vice President of Evangelism, and appointing a search committee … [Read More]
GCR Myth #2: The goal of [certain members of] the Task Force is to turn North American church planting over to Acts 29 or to at least enter into a formal partnership with them.
This myth may be my favorite because of the incredible imagination needed to come up with it! The creative imaginations behind this myth deserve a medal. The fact is that Acts 29 has never been an item on the GCRTF agenda. In fact, I suspect a number of the Task Force members have never heard of Acts 29. Amazingly, this was my experience when meeting with leadership at NAMB several years ago. Acts 29 was unknown to them.
Now, … [Read More]
GCR Myth #1: The goal of [particular members of] the Task Force to get more money to the nations is only a smoke screen to get more money to the seminaries.
This myth, by its very nature, has been directed at Al Mohler and me. There is not a shred of evidence to support this accusation and much to the contrary. Dr. Mohler and I publicly and repeatedly have stated we would oppose any report or recommendations that would financially benefit the seminaries.
The GCR is not and has never been about getting more money to the seminaries. It has always been about international missions and North … [Read More]
Dispelling Myths Related to the Great Commission Resurgence
In June at the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, messengers authorized President Johnny Hunt (by a 95% vote) to appoint a Task Force to study our Convention and bring back a report and recommendations on how we can more effectively and efficiently fulfill the Great Commission. Enthusiasm for the Task Force and expectations for the future were and continue to be high. The Task Force feels the weight of this.
Since the Southern Baptist Convention our Task … [Read More]
What Central Baptist Church Has Meant To Me
The following was written for the upcoming centennial celebration of the Central Baptist Church of Waycross, Georgia. Central Baptist is my home church. I am thankful for the opportunity to share these thoughts with the readers of this blog.
What Central Baptist Church Has Meant to Me
By Nathan Finn
I am thankful for the opportunity to write these reflections and meditate on the many ways that God has used Central Baptist to shape me into the man … [Read More]
Theological Integrity in Worship
In the past months I’ve had some things to say about worship, some in a general sense and a series on the problems associated with what I call “Disney-World” Worship. Yes, I have been a bit of a curmudgeon in the process. I appreciate those who have interacted with me both on the blog, via email, and some in person. Next comes a series of posts describing something of a theological framework for worship, focusing … [Read More]
