Question: What is the greatest strength of the SBC? The greatest weakness?
Reply:
I think the answer to these 2 questions is the same: our fraternal and family orientation. We gain great strength by being a family or convention of Southern Baptist churches united by a passion for international missions, North American church planting and theological integrity. Those are the three things that I mentioned in the “Axioms of a Great Commission Resurgence” message which I believe … [Read More]
Q&A 19: What is the greatest strength of the SBC? The greatest weakness?
Q&A 18: What does the spiritual and intellectual makeup of a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate look like?
Question: What does the spiritual and intellectual makeup of a Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate look like?
Reply:
The easiest way to answer that question is he or she looks like a Great Commission Christian. In other words, they have a consuming passion to make disciples of all the people groups scattered around the world teaching them to be faithful to all that Jesus has taught. In that context, a Southeastern graduate will hopefully be a person … [Read More]
Q&A 17: What does it take for a pastor to be intellectually vibrant and well-read in the pastorate?
Question: What does it take for a pastor to be intellectually vibrant and well-read in the pastorate?
Reply:
I believe nothing is more valuable in achieving this goal than that one would commit himself to be an expository preacher. That approach to preaching will keep one in the word week by week. I have found it to be a wonderful way to nourish my own soul as I allow God to teach me from his Word in … [Read More]
Q&A 16 (Part 2): Who are your five or six favorite preachers?
Question: Who are your five or six favorite living preachers? Why? What can we learn from them?
Reply:
It is difficult for me to list only 5 or 6 preachers that are my favorites who are still living. I listen to lots of preaching and I always have. I guess I would begin by saying that no one has impacted me, who is still living, more than John MacArthur. He is such a faithful expositor who simply … [Read More]
Q&A 16 (Part 1): What are your five or six favorite living preachers?
Question: Who are your five or six favorite living preachers? Why? What can we learn from them?
Reply:
Let me begin by saying I am going to answer a question that was not raised: who are my favorite preachers living or dead? I simply cannot resist. Three of my favorite preachers of all time are now with the Lord. That would be W.A. Criswell, Adrian Rogers and Stephen Olford. Each of these men were anointed by God … [Read More]
Q&A 15: What are your thoughts about perserverance of the saints?
Question: What are your thoughts about perseverance of the saints?
Reply:
This is the one area where all Southern Baptists agree! PTL! The doctrine affirms that those that God saves He protects and preserves their salvation to the very end. Sometimes this doctrine is also known by the phrase “eternal security.” There are many scriptures I believe that affirm this. Perhaps the clearest is John 10:27-29 which states, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know … [Read More]
Q&A 14: What are your thoughts about irresistable grace?
Question: What are your thoughts about irresistible grace?
Reply:
“Irresistible grace” is as unfortunate a term as is “limited atonement.” A far better way to describe this teaching is “effectual calling.” Those who affirm effectual calling believe that those who are predestined by God to be saved are effectually/effectively called to salvation. This seems to be the clear teaching of Romans 8:28-30 for example. They are not forced to come but they freely and willingly do … [Read More]
Q&A 13: What do you think about limited atonement?
Question: What do you think about limited atonement?
Reply:
This is the issue within Calvinism that causes the strongest emotional response. And, that is easy to understand. Let me say first of all that the phrase “limited atonement” is unfortunate. A far better way of identifying what classic Calvinist mean by this doctrine is “particular redemption” (or “definite atonement”). I have never been persuaded for the truth of this position though I do understand and respect the … [Read More]
The Scriptures Come to Life (February 3-4, 2012)
We at Between the Times would like to invite you to this year’s 20/20 conference, “The Scriptures Come to Life,” on Southeastern’s campus Feb 3-4, 2011. This year’s conference centers on the nature, authority, and eternal relevance of the Christian Scriptures, and features plenary sessions by Danny Akin (SEBTS), D. A. Carson (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School), Tullian Tchividjian (Coral Ridge Presbyterian), and Tony Merida (SEBTS; Imago Dei Church), in addition to 27 breakout sessions. Matt … [Read More]
The Pursuit of More: An Addictions Conference
We at BtT invite you to join Dr. Akin, several SEBTS faculty members and area pastors for “The Pursuit of More,” an addictions conference sponsored by Converting Hearts Ministries. The conference will be held Friday, September 16th (6-9 p.m.) and Saturday, September 17th (9-11:30 p.m.) at Open Door Baptist Church in Raleigh.
“Pursuit of More” features Danny Akin, Stephen Davey, Sam Williams, Dwayne Millioni, Robert Jones, Brad Hambrick, and others, who will address the concept of … [Read More]
