Most Baptist debates occur informally on the internet these days....and with fellow Baptists.
But is there still a place for public debates between Baptists and other groups?
Several years ago, Bro. Michael Reese and I helped organize a debate between a local, loud, challenging Church of Christ preacher and the late Bro. Hoyt Chastain of Oklahoma.
It was difficult to get support for the debate and many ABA folks said, "I don't really believe we should be doing that anymore." Many others were simply not interested in attending.
The debate occurred, some Missionary Baptists attended, many Church of Christ people attended, and I think I gained something from the debate.
Brother Bobby Sparks (who is well known for his Tabernacle sermons) has also debated and from a tape I have watched, I don't know if a Church of Christ preacher will ever get on the stage with him again!?
I suppose my question is this: If challenged by a preacher from another group, or if they regularly "trash Baptists" and everyone else in a local newspaper, should we debate them?
Or just ignore them?
Missing Relative Found!
(As you read this, please superimpose the voice of Forrest Gump)
I'm so happy! A missing relative of mine has been found! We have been searchin' and searchin' for him for years and due to some really smart people, he was discovered this past week!
Now I know he is funny looking. In fact, he kinda looks like a lizard or iguana or something. And I know he's old...they say 47 million years old, but don't hold that against him.
I also know that he is reptilian. Those smart people say that he was my 45,874 times great grandpa and that he IS the missing link between monkeys and me! Never mind, I guess, that usually reptiles begat reptiles, even lizards begat lizards, and iguana begat iguanas. I guess it doesn't matter that it has never been observed that mammals would jump out of classification and become reptiles or vice versa (which violates the little rules about being observable in the scientific method). But them smart people tell me that "missing link" is my 45,874 times great grandpa.
I wonder where he came from? Oh yeah. The smart people say his 45,874 times great grandpa
wiggled out of a puddle of water and was struck by lightening and came alive! Ouch! I bet somebody went from saying "You don't got no legs," to "Legs! You got legs!" I don't guess it matters that this idea violates the simple experiment of Louis Pastuer when he proved that life cannot arise from non-life. I suppose life is like a bolt of lightening...you never know when you're gonna get hit!
Funny, it seems that grandpa lizard (missing link) would surely have been less advanced than grandpa monkey. Yet the smart people have put grandpa lizard IN BETWEEN grandpa monkey and me. That makes me want to go mowing or running or something.
Another thing, if I and grandpa lizard came from grandpa monkey, why are there still monkeys?
Maybe the smart people will tell us one day.
By the way, I write this from mental hospital. I simply went to the Lufkin Zoo and tried to have a family reunion and picnic with all my grandpas, and now I am in this big, white, padded room.
I may not be a smart man, but I know what creation is.
I'm so happy! A missing relative of mine has been found! We have been searchin' and searchin' for him for years and due to some really smart people, he was discovered this past week!
Now I know he is funny looking. In fact, he kinda looks like a lizard or iguana or something. And I know he's old...they say 47 million years old, but don't hold that against him.
I also know that he is reptilian. Those smart people say that he was my 45,874 times great grandpa and that he IS the missing link between monkeys and me! Never mind, I guess, that usually reptiles begat reptiles, even lizards begat lizards, and iguana begat iguanas. I guess it doesn't matter that it has never been observed that mammals would jump out of classification and become reptiles or vice versa (which violates the little rules about being observable in the scientific method). But them smart people tell me that "missing link" is my 45,874 times great grandpa.
I wonder where he came from? Oh yeah. The smart people say his 45,874 times great grandpa
wiggled out of a puddle of water and was struck by lightening and came alive! Ouch! I bet somebody went from saying "You don't got no legs," to "Legs! You got legs!" I don't guess it matters that this idea violates the simple experiment of Louis Pastuer when he proved that life cannot arise from non-life. I suppose life is like a bolt of lightening...you never know when you're gonna get hit!
Funny, it seems that grandpa lizard (missing link) would surely have been less advanced than grandpa monkey. Yet the smart people have put grandpa lizard IN BETWEEN grandpa monkey and me. That makes me want to go mowing or running or something.
Another thing, if I and grandpa lizard came from grandpa monkey, why are there still monkeys?
Maybe the smart people will tell us one day.
By the way, I write this from mental hospital. I simply went to the Lufkin Zoo and tried to have a family reunion and picnic with all my grandpas, and now I am in this big, white, padded room.
I may not be a smart man, but I know what creation is.
Feeding The Rat
When you love to do something, and you don't often get opportunities to do it, "the rat gets hungry." I love the mountains. Living at 289 feet above sea level doesn't provide too many chances to climb.
The last adventure was with good friend and brother in Christ Michael Reese. We travelled to Guadalupe Peak in West Texas in late December of 2008. This park is in the proverbial "middle of nowhere." We endured the high winds and the 4 1/2 mile climb. The summit views were well worth it.
But the rat is hungry. Tracy has planned a trip to Colorado Springs in late July for a week and Pike's Peak is nearby (over 14,000 feet). My 11 year old son Logan has informed me that I am not climbing Pike's Peak without him. I know you can drive up Pike's Peak or ride the Cog train.
But, somehow, I don't think I'll travel that way.
A. Alvarez wrote, "Every year you need to flush out your system and do a bit of suffering. I think it's because there is always a question mark about how you will perform. When the rat's had a good meal, you come away feeling terrific. And even if you blow it, at least there isn't that great unknown. But to snuff it without knowing who you are and what you are capable of, I can't think of anything sadder than that."
I thank God for my family, my friends, my health and opportunities to appreciate God and His awesome creation.
The last adventure was with good friend and brother in Christ Michael Reese. We travelled to Guadalupe Peak in West Texas in late December of 2008. This park is in the proverbial "middle of nowhere." We endured the high winds and the 4 1/2 mile climb. The summit views were well worth it.
But the rat is hungry. Tracy has planned a trip to Colorado Springs in late July for a week and Pike's Peak is nearby (over 14,000 feet). My 11 year old son Logan has informed me that I am not climbing Pike's Peak without him. I know you can drive up Pike's Peak or ride the Cog train.
But, somehow, I don't think I'll travel that way.
A. Alvarez wrote, "Every year you need to flush out your system and do a bit of suffering. I think it's because there is always a question mark about how you will perform. When the rat's had a good meal, you come away feeling terrific. And even if you blow it, at least there isn't that great unknown. But to snuff it without knowing who you are and what you are capable of, I can't think of anything sadder than that."
I thank God for my family, my friends, my health and opportunities to appreciate God and His awesome creation.
Church Signs
I recently saw an interent site with actual pictures of church signs across the country. Actually seeing the signs are probably more funny, but here's a sample. We mostly discuss serious issues, but every once in a while, I need a good laugh.
"God Shows No Favoritism
But Our Sign Guy Does
Go Cubs!"
"Dysfynctional Family?
Welcome
You'll Fit Right In"
"This Sunday---Mind Control
Part 4"
"Women's Bible Stud
633-6271"
"Please Return The Laptop!"
"This Sunday's Message
The Thoughtful And The Stupid
Part Deux"
"The Rapture!
Separation Of Church And State"
"Our Church Is Like Fudge
Sweet, With A Few Nuts"
"For God So Loved The World
He Did Not Send A Committee"
"If You're Too Open-Minded
Your Brains Will Fall Out"
I'm not sure whether or not to post this final one, but I'm sure you will let me know if it's too strong. I suppose it's real important that the sign guy can spell or this will happen.
(Parenthetical letters were left out of the sign)
"An(n)(u)al Conference Here Saturday"
"God Shows No Favoritism
But Our Sign Guy Does
Go Cubs!"
"Dysfynctional Family?
Welcome
You'll Fit Right In"
"This Sunday---Mind Control
Part 4"
"Women's Bible Stud
633-6271"
"Please Return The Laptop!"
"This Sunday's Message
The Thoughtful And The Stupid
Part Deux"
"The Rapture!
Separation Of Church And State"
"Our Church Is Like Fudge
Sweet, With A Few Nuts"
"For God So Loved The World
He Did Not Send A Committee"
"If You're Too Open-Minded
Your Brains Will Fall Out"
I'm not sure whether or not to post this final one, but I'm sure you will let me know if it's too strong. I suppose it's real important that the sign guy can spell or this will happen.
(Parenthetical letters were left out of the sign)
"An(n)(u)al Conference Here Saturday"
"Winked At"
As Paul preached at Mars Hill (Acts17), he said, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent..."(vs.29,30).
A note in my Bible says "winked at" means overlooked. Perhaps some of you "Greek guys" could provide some perspective or someone who has heard this "winked at" explained in a meaningful way.
A note in my Bible says "winked at" means overlooked. Perhaps some of you "Greek guys" could provide some perspective or someone who has heard this "winked at" explained in a meaningful way.
Would You Ask Him To Preach?
An elderly gentlemen is passing through your area and he shows up at your church on Sunday.
He is perhaps the most well-known preacher in modern times. His name is Billy Graham.
Would you ask him to preach?
He is perhaps the most well-known preacher in modern times. His name is Billy Graham.
Would you ask him to preach?
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