In the summer of 2008, B&H Academic published an excellent book by David Dockery titled Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Proposal. There is much to commend about this book, but one thing I especially appreciate is how Dockery demonstrates that conservative Southern Baptists are not monolithic. This is an idea that Dockery has advanced for years in a variety of forums, and one I’ve emphasized in my own teaching, conference … [Read More]
Nathan Finn
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| Email: | nfinn@sebts.edu |
Recent Posts
Bruce Shelley: A Historian for the People
Feb 27th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
Longtime Denver Seminary church historian Bruce Shelley passed away earlier this week at the age of 82. Christian History has published a great online tribute to Shelley written by Scott Wenig, who teaches applied theology at Denver Seminary. Shelley is probably best known for his bestselling church history textbook, Church History in Plain Language. I first read Church History in Plain Language when I was in college, shortly after I first began considering a career as a … [Read More]
The Spiritual and the Structural Coincide: Some Thoughts on the GCR
Feb 24th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
“Our problems aren’t structural, they are spiritual.”
I can’t tell you how many times I have read or heard some variation of the above sentiment in the past eight or nine months. Sometimes it is voiced by stakeholders who are in the “structure,” people like state paper editors, seminary professors, and other denominational employees. It is perhaps understandable that these folks would want to divert attention away from whatever issues may or may not be present … [Read More]
Abraham Booth on Holiness and Perseverance
Feb 20th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
Abraham Booth was a Particular Baptist pastor in London from 1769-1806 and a key evangelical leader in England. He was a respected pastor-theologian, a staunch advocate for foreign missions, a strong proponent of theological education, a firm defender of Baptist distinctives, and a fierce and vocal opponent of the slave trade. In Booth’s most famous book, The Reign of Grace, he offers a broadside against those who claim some conversion experience but do not value personal … [Read More]
Kenneth Starr, Church Membership, and the Baylor Presidency
Feb 17th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
As many readers know, it was announced this week that Kenneth Starr has been selected as the next president of Baylor University. Not surprisingly, the announcement generated quite a bit of buzz in the blogosphere, Twitterverse, and on message boards. Baylor has of course been embroiled in significant controversy during the past decade over leadership, vision, and academic matters, which followed on the heels of two decades of controversy over governance, theology, and denominational matters. … [Read More]
With Whom Can My Church Cooperate?
Jan 22nd, 2010 by Nathan Finn
In the past few days, I have had several fruitful conversations with seminarians, pastors, and prospective church planters about the nature of interchurch cooperation. One topic that has frequently arisen is that of cooperation with other churches in a given city or county. Specifically, mission-minded Southern Baptists want to know with whom their church can in good conscience cooperate, particularly in church planting. It’s a good and timely question.
Before proceeding much further, I need to … [Read More]
Five Preaching Role Models, Part 2
Jan 20th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
In my last post, I shared my conviction that preachers become better preachers primarily through two means: regular pulpit experience and learning from good preaching role models. I shared my first two role models, Drs. Adrian Rogers and Jerry Vines. I continue in many ways to be shaped by their early example. It was a great joy to enroll in seminary and finally have the chance to hear both of these brothers preach in person. … [Read More]
Five Preaching Role Models, Part 1
Jan 19th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
I am thankful for the two preaching classes I took in seminary. I’m also thankful for many of the fine preaching books I’ve read over the years. And I’m thankful for many of the preaching conferences I’ve attended. Each of these tools has contributed to my own DNA as a preacher.
Though I am thankful for classes, books, and conferences, I am not convinced that any of them “make” a man a preacher, let alone a … [Read More]
Heresy is Not Heroic
Jan 13th, 2010 by Nathan Finn
Al Mohler asks today in his Conventional Thinking blog, “Is Crawford Howell Toy a Baptist Hero?” You may remember that Toy embraced modernist theology, resigned from Southern Seminary, and then became a Unitarian. You can guess Mohler’s answer to the question. Toy is not a hero, despite the ongoing accolades he has received from the Baptist Left over the years.
I think it is interesting that Mohler has written on this timely subject around the same … [Read More]
Jesus and the Economic Recession
Jan 2nd, 2010 by Nathan Finn
Robbie Sagers has written an excellent article titled “Jesus and the Economic Recession” for Evangel, an evangelical blog affiliated with First Things. An excerpt:
Financially, these are certainly not the best of times. The temptation comes to “save up” in times of hardship, with intentions of “giving more” when one is able. What’s needed in such a situation is what’s always needed in instances of delayed obedience—that is, swift repentance.
A poor economy provides believers with the … [Read More]
