One grain may tip the scale. One man may make the difference between victory and defeat.

How would you like to REALLY rock the vote?

The Founders Blog is in the Final Four of a "best SBC blog" competition and executive director Tom Ascol needs your vote.

If you're not familiar with Founders Ministries, I encourage you to check out their scene as well.

(conferences - journal - resources)

The gist of it is a group within the SBC committed to its reform and committed to the historic theological roots of the SBC (i.e., Reformed theology).

There are some great resources on the site and some great folks associated with the ministry.

Tom is one of the nicer guys you'll ever meet and is also an Aggie, so he's got that going for him ... which is nice.

Still not convinced? Tom makes a pretty convincing case, complete with some serious "trash talk."

Blog Madness Final Four: Full Court Press

P.S. The polls will close around 8PM (Eastern) on Monday night.

He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight, on his huge pillow.

Many of us have Church History heroes, chief for me is George Whitefield, the Reformed English evangelist & fellow Oxford alum.

Here is a list of questions Whitefield would ask himself each night "as a basis of judging on his actions during the day."

Have I,

1. Been fervent in private prayer?
2. Used stated hours of prayer?
3. Used ejaculation every hour?
4. After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
5. After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
6. Planned business for the day?
7. Been simple and recollected in everything?
8. Been zealous in undertaking and active in doing what good I could?
9. Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
10. Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?
11. Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
12. Taken time for giving thanks according to [William] Law's rules?
13. Been diligent in studies?
14. Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
15. Confessed all sins?

-Dallimore, George Whitefield, 1:80

Any other self-examination questions you've found helpful?

It’s anchorMAN, not achorLADY!

The case of Sherri Klouda vs. SWBTS, Dr. Patterson et al is well known in the SBC. The issue of women in ministry is one that every church has to address at some time on some level.

I share with you a list I compiled, an exercise that I've done before on the topic.

101 practical scenarios regarding women in ministry.

Cogitate about the biblical principles that determine what a woman may or may not do within the body of Christ. Some passages to start with might include 1 Cor 11:2-16; 14:33-35; Eph 5:22-33; 1 Tim 2:12; 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 2:3-5; etc. (others?)

After you have drafted up some theoretical, biblical principles that should govern such activity, relate them to the following, asking yourself, "If it were up to me, would I be on board with a woman doing X?"

Be prepared not only to answer "yeah" or "nay" but to support your answer.

In addition, you may want to distinguish for yourself, and for us, those things which you think are (a) biblically prohibited and those things which you're just (b) "not comfortable with" or want to play it safe with, etc. One other suggestion: You may want to try to put these on some sort of continuum and decide where you "draw the line" so to speak.

It seems to me there's a tension. On the one hand, we don't want to violate biblical texts like those above, yet we also don't want to unnecessarily limit the usefulness of the gifted sisters God has graciously given to us.

(N.B. The term "mixed" refers to a group containing both men and women.)

Are you on board with a Christian woman …

1. Being the president of a denomination?
2. Being a member of the governing board of a denomination?
3. Teaching/preaching/speaking at a national denominational meeting?
4. Praying at a national denominational meeting?
5. Being the senior pastor in a church?
6. Presiding over the Lord's Supper?
7. Distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper?
8. Collecting the offering?
9. Administering baptism to a woman in the church service?
10. Administering baptism to a man in the church service?
11. Administering baptism to her daughter in the church service?
12. Administering baptism to her eight-year-old son in the church service?
13. Administering baptism to her seventeen-year-old son in the church service?
14. Being the permanently designated leader of a (mixed) home church or cell group whammy?
15. Teaching the lesson(s) for such a cell group/fellowship family, etc.?
16. Being the committee chair for a mixed church committee (e.g., finance, missions, etc.)?
17. Being the director of Christian Education/Sunday School overseeing mixed teachers?
18. Being a foreign missionary in charge the whole operation, including the teaching, etc.?
19. Leading a mixed short-term mission trip?
20. Being the mixed choir director?
21. Being on a mixed praise team that leads the congregation in worship?
22. Being the lead vocalist on said praise team?
23. Being the leader/organizer of said praise team?
24. Being the minister of music who chooses and leads the congregational singing?
25. Singing a solo during the worship service?
26. Singing a duet with her husband during the worship service?
27. Singing a duet with a man not her husband during the worship service?
28. Singing in the mixed choir?
29. Singing with the congregation during the worship service period?
30. Being an elder?
31. Being a deaconess (i.e., female deacon - assuming biblical understanding of deacons as servants and elders in place to govern)?
32. Being the church secretary?
33. Being the church treasurer?
34. Member of a governing board that operates as an elder board for a congregation?
35. Speaking/preaching/teaching during the "sermon time" on occasion under supervision of elders and senior pastor?
36. Performing a baby dedication during service (assuming on staff)?
37. Speaking in a mixed Sunday school class (i.e., as part of the discussion)?
38. Speaking in a mixed Bible study (i.e., as part of the discussion)?
39. Speaking in a congregational business meeting?
40. Moderating a congregational business meeting?
41. Voting in a congregational business meeting?
42. Being the president of a theological seminary or Bible college?
43. Being the department head over male professors at a seminary or Bible college?
44. Teaching Bible or theology in a theological seminary to a class of women?
45. Teaching Bible or theology in a theological seminary to a mixed class?
46. Teaching Greek or Hebrew in a theological seminary to a mixed class?
47. Teaching Greek or Hebrew in a Bible college?
48. Teaching counseling to a mixed group in a theological seminary?
49. Teaching English (or math, history, etc.) to a mixed group in a Bible college?
50. Teaching any subject at a secular university that would allow male enrollment?
51. Being the principal of a Christian school that has male teachers?
52. Being the teacher of a mixed class in a Christian high school teaching art?
53. Being the teacher of a mixed class in a Christian high school teaching Bible?
54. Being the leader of a mixed Christian high school camp?
55. Being a camp counselor in charge of a mixed (high school) group?
56. Being the supervisor over a Christian man in any secular work environment?
57. Being the teacher of a mixed adult Sunday school class?
58. Being the teacher of a mixed Senior High (ages 15-18ish) SS class?
59. Being the teacher of a mixed Junior High (ages 13-14ish) SS class?
60. Being the teacher of a mixed Elementary (ages 5-12) SS class?
61. Being the teacher of an adult female Bible study?
62. Being the leader of a kids program (e.g., AWANA) that has male leaders?
63. Organizing VBS (assuming mixed teachers)?
64. Teaching on occasion in a mixed adult SS class, under supervision of male teacher?
65. Giving her testimony in the congregational worship service?
66. Giving her testimony in the mixed adult Sunday school class?
67. Writing a book on theology (not specifically designated for women)?
68. Writing a commentary on a Bible book as part of a series with a male editor?
69. Writing or editing a study Bible?
70. Contributing notes for study Bible with a male general editor?
71. Leading a translation team for a Bible version?
72. Being a translator on a translation team for a Bible version?
73. Editing or writing a Bible or theological dictionary?
74. Editing a Christian magazine (e.g., Christianity Today)?
75. Editing the church newsletter or bulletin?
76. Contributing an article to a Bible or theological dictionary (under male editor)?
77. Speaking/preaching evangelistically to an intended mixed group of non-Christians?
78. Evangelizing a man in a random personal encounter encompassing the two of them?
79. Praying to open or close a Bible study or Sunday school class?
80. Praying (aloud, representing the congregation) during the worship service?
81. Reading Scripture aloud to the congregation on a Sunday morning?
82. Reading Scripture to the Sunday school class or Bible study (upon request of male teacher?
83. Praying among a mixed group of praying folk in a Sunday school class?
84. Praying among a mixed group at a congregational prayer meeting?
85. Reading Scripture among a mixed group at a congregational prayer meeting?
86. Participating in the congregational Scripture reading during the worship service?
87. Praying for the mixed group before they consume a meal at a restaurant together?
88. Praying for the congregation at the park before they consume a picnic meal together?
89. Being ordained and bearing the title "reverend"?
90. Having the title "pastor" (e.g., Children's Pastor, Women's pastor, etc.)?
91. Having the title "minister" (e.g., Children's Minister, Women's Minister, etc.)?
92. Being a paid member of the pastoral staff (e.g., overseeing children, women, etc.)?
93. Giving the announcements (regularly) to start the worship service?
94. Giving an announcement on occasion dealing with kids during the worship service?
95. Welcoming people at the door as a greeter before the worship service?
96. Driving the bus to pick up kids for Sunday school?
97. Driving the van of mixed adults going to a denominational convention?
98. Organizing the trip of mixed adults to go to a denominational convention?
99. Owning a Christian bookstore (while employing men)?
100. Managing a Christian bookstore (while supervising men)?
101. Being responsible for (and choosing) inventory in a Christian bookstore?

Somebody's gotta keep his eye on the ball.

Today is the 65th birthday of Christopher Walken (bio - quotes).

For many years he was an actor I found rather creepy, but he's REALLY grown on me.

To celebrate his day, I submit to you some of his best--his best movies and his best roles.

(You could make a case that he plays the same role in every movie, but they do at least give him a different name in each one.)

His best movies:

1. The Dead Zone
2. The Deer Hunter
3. Batman Returns
4. The Rundown
5. Wedding Crashers

His best roles:

1. The Bruce Dickinson, the needer of more cowbell
2. Hatcher in The Rundown
3. Caesar the exterminator in Mousehunt

Any other suggestions?

Here's Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven," read by Christopher Walken.

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.

Here's a nice combination of 2 of my favorite press conferences of all time. Remember, you gotta practice if you're gonna make the playoffs.



Read as David Kotter asks, "Is a Woman just an Egg Factory?" It seems college newspapers are offering to buy the eggs of young, attractive, and intelligent women.

"Being paid for selling eggs, surrogate motherhood or prostitution in each case reduces a woman to the cash value of her femininity."

Check out Logan's list of top 5 singers turned actors.


Read Tim Challies book review of Colin Hansen's Young, Restless, Reformed. You may recognize the title as that of his article about the resurgence of Calvinism. (cf. The word itself makes some men uncomfortable.)

"In an article written in 2006 for Christianity Today, Collin Hansen gave us a framework to understand the contemporary revival of Reformed theology—something so many felt was happening but so few could describe. Now he invites us to journey with him on a voyage of discovery as he travels the nation, learning how our restless youth are discovering anew the great doctrines of the Christian faith."

Check out Brent Thomas on the Deadliest Sin.


Matt Waymeyer at Pulpit Magazine's blog is talking about infant baptism.
Read A Biblical Critique of Infant Baptism
Read Infant Baptism and Acts 16:31-34
Read Infant Baptism and Acts 2:39


Check out these new Music Song Sheets.


Read Time Magazine's thoughts on the Internet's Effect on News. (HT Tim Challies)


Read as Paul Lamey addresses the identity of “This generation” in Matthew 24:34. He's got some interesting Greek slooge to throw a curve into the discussion.


Previously we learned of a publisher removing the crucifixion from their curriculum for preschoolers for Resurrection Sunday's material. Read about their repentance. Good for them.

Check out Jeff Wright's thoughts & resources on the link between removing the gospel from our worship services and then from our sermons.


Watch this great video clip of some gospel-centered creativity regarding Isaiah 53. (HT Tim Challies)


Check out some resources for Tactics in Defending Your Faith.


Read as Darrell Bock shares some quick thoughts on the Gospel.

"The gospel is not about avoiding something or simply having sins forgiven. All that does is set the stage for what is really the good news, namely, that God has taken the initiative to restore a broken relationship with Him that we cannot fix on our own."

Read Anthony Bradley's thoughts on Robin Williams divorcing after 19 years. Personally, I don't think he ever should have left Mindy, especially after she put up with all his, "Mork calling Orson" tomfoolery.


This is a follow up story. Read about the punishment delivered to the man who burned his 2-month-old daughter, Ana, in the microwave. This guys is ever more depraved than first thought. His punishment is not enough.

"Just before putting her in the microwave in May 2007, Mauldin had punched Ana and placed her in the room's safe and refrigerator."

Check out some free Scripture memory songs.


Check out Brother Hank's Plea To Seminarians For Open Discourse: On The (Hidden) Theology of Birth Control.


Read Johnny Mac's Who Said Doctrine Isn’t Practical?

"The idea that Christ is anti-doctrine is a foundational belief of that cult."

Read Adam Groza's Fathers, Be Good to Your Daughters.


Check out IVP's Reformation Commentary on Scripture.

"The biblical revolution of the sixteenth century was an explosive event that shook the foundations of the church and called all Christians ad fontes—back to the sources! The Reformation Commentary on Scripture brings many of these sources, some for the first time, into the hands of today's preachers and laity. My prayer is that this new series will encourage a fresh engagement with the primary sources of the Christian faith, and that this will result in the kind of God-centered Reformation that shook the world of Luther and Calvin." —Dr. Timothy George

Read Lance Ward's thoughts on Focusing on the Family ... but which one?


Read about the police busting up an underage rootbeer kegger.


Read a selection from Embryo: A Defense of Human Life.

“The human embryo is a human person worthy of full moral respect”

Read How to Complain to God: A Meditation on Psalms 42 and 43.

"In addition to honesty, a proper complaint is characterized by trust."

Rev has written about J.I. Packer on the nature of Calvinism.
Read Packer’s Points (Intro.)
Read Packer's 1st Point
Read Packer's 2nd Point
Read Packer's 3rd Point
Read Packer's 4th Point
Read Packer's 5th Point


Ever worry about what could happen to your food? Read about the cook (also a Seahawks fan) who allegedly spit on the burger of a Steelers fan. I can attest that I have seen un-special treatment for Cubs fans at Busch Stadium.
;-)

Read Mark Knox, editor of The Baptist Standard, on why Obama was right not to cut ties with Jeremiah Wright.

"You are blessed (or you’re not thinking for yourself) if you’ve never disagreed with your pastor. I like what Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow said on the subject: 'I fully understand the concept of squirming in your church pew. I’m a Southern Baptist.'"

Comment of the Week:
"Few things makes the hair on the back of our culture's neck stand up like the word 'submit.' Use it and people immediately think you are an ecclesiastical Archie Bunker." (Chris Brauns)

"No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought."
-John Stuart Mill
(Incidentally, the Bible calls that the renewing of the mind.)

Watch your mouth, kid, or you're gonna find yourself floating home.

Recently I've seen 2 little boys in public in need of a trip to the woodshed. One was rock throwing boy who wouldn't heed my admonitions and his parents were surprisingly apathetic.

Today there was a similar sort--the pusher, the taker of toys ... you know, the bully that every parent dreads seeing on the playground.

His mom finally made an attempt by sternly saying, "Sit here, 2 minutes." He defiantly said, "No!" and proceed to get up. This cycle was comical to watch on one hand, but a pathetic display of a child in need of discipline.

It reminded me of Douglas Wilson's 7 “musts” about discipline, though I can't recall where I found them.

1. Discipline must be confident. (Prov 22:15) “…The word confident literally means ‘with faith.’ Your children must be disciplined in faith, through faith, and from faith…”

2. Discipline must be affectionate. (Heb. 12:5-6) “A man who refuses to discipline his son is, in effect, disinheriting him. This rejection, or hatred, is utterly contrary to the attitude Christian parents are to have toward their children. Affectionate discipline gives the children something to return to after repentance.”

3. Discipline must be judicial. (Gal. 1:6) “Discipline must begin with self-discipline.”

4. Discipline must be swift. (Gal. 6:7) “… a godly father should remember he is not just exercising the principle, he is teaching the principle to young minds. Consequently, the time between sowing and reaping should be as short as possible. Even the youngest infant understands causation at some level, but the younger the child the more immediately he should be disciplined.”

5. Discipline must be painful. (Heb 12:11) “If the discipline is not painful, then it does not qualify as discipline…The pain involved in godly discipline is both positive and negative. Swift, painful discipline does not mean the father is to be an ogre but just the reverse…A man who is incapable of lovingly encouraging his children after discipline in not qualified to exercise any discipline at all. The encouragement must include follow up instruction… It should also include prayer. God is present and working through discipline, and His presence should be acknowledged. The child should be assured of forgiveness. The breach of fellowship is now gone. As a result, there has been restoration of fellowship. A father should take special care to be warm and cheerful after discipline.”
6. Discipline must be effective. (Heb. 12:11b)

7. Discipline must reflect biblical standards. “(a father) must not confuse house rules with God’s rules… God does not require that little kids keep their feet off the couch. This is a house rule. God does require that children obey their parents. This is God’s rule. And that is why they must keep their feet off the couch.”

There are no friendly civilians!

About a year ago, in a sermon on Hebrews 13:17, Lance Ward gave some myths regarding submission:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
-Hebrews 13:17, ESV (emphasis mine)

1. Submission is the absence of disagreement.
"It is never wrong to disagree with people in the church. It is always wrong to be disagreeable."

2. Submission is the absence of accountability.
Leaders can still be and should be held accountable. A lack of submission is instead talking about the leader behind his back. Submission will still confront out of love.

3. Submission is not the squelching of non-leader leaders.
Natural leaders are needed, though they may not have a leadership position. But, such leaders need to be careful not to clash or openly rebel against the leadership, who may not embrace the agenda of the non-leader leaders.


Let me add a few thoughts of my own regarding submission in church ...

1. Submission is a tough pill to swallow, whether it's a wife to a husband (Eph 5:22-24), a child to a parent (Eph 6:1-3), or a sheep to an undershepherd (Heb 13:17). Any leader, especially in a church, worth his salt understands that. He prefers to have enthusiastic and devoted followers, not just those who grudgingly follow. (This ties into the 2nd part of Heb 13:17 - "Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.")

2. Far too many people leave churches rather than be submissive. Most people don't leave their churches because their churches have theological flaws that the leadership won't address, and perhaps they should. It's one thing to leave a church because the doctrine and practice is incongruent with biblical teaching. It's another to leave because your feelings got hurt or because a vote didn't go your way.

3. Submission is good for sanctification. Sanctification is our growing in grace, maturing as Christians. That happens best when we are put in situations that enable growth, situations that provide a fertile seedbed for the Fruit of the Spirit. When things don't go my way at church or I'm wronged, it's then that I get to display Christlike character (e.g., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). Immaturity pouts, complains, gossips, criticizes, and/or leaves.

4. Submission may be un-American, but it's biblical. Try in vain will you to find biblical verbiage such as "no taxation without representation," but even church folk can be prone to the mindset that they don't have to do or support anything or anyone they personally didn't vote for. It's trendy to be anti-Clinton or anti-Bush or anti-the next president and demonstrate that with a "he/she's not my president" bumper sticker. But church isn't a democracy; it's a theocracy. God is in charge and He's given particular leaders to shepherd His flock and they are due honor as such (1 Tim 5:17).

5. Christians are slaves/servants of Christ, which will often mean submitting to those we deem unworthy, whether that be in the church or in the world (Rom 13:1-7). You won't truly ever have worthy leaders, nor will you ever be a worthy follower. But unworthy followers follow unworthy leaders because Christ is worthy and His church and reputation are worthwhile.