by Brian Hobbs | Sep 25, 2014
Robert F. Kennedy, Ed Meese, Janet Reno and John Ashcroft. These are a few prominent Attorneys General of the United States of America who preceded current AG, Eric H. Holder, Jr., who announced his resignation on September 25, 2014.
Since he was sworn into office on February 3, 2009, Holder’s tenure has been marked by criticism and controversy. Accusations resulting from the “Fast and Furious” program, for example, have hounded Holder throughout his time of service.
He did make history in one positive way, becoming the first African-American AG to have served. Beyond these controversial issues and historic moments, it’s important to hone in on the job of AG, which is to ensure justice in this country.
I will allow political pundits, other politicians—and history itself—to assess Holder’s ultimate legacy. I would rather focus on the most important aim of this office: justice.
Recall that the U.S. Constitution states in the preamble: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
The office of Attorney General is key toward this aim of establishing justice. The office itself was established in 1789 “to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court in which the United States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law when required by the president of the United States, or when requested by the heads of any of the departments.” This office today also oversees the Department of Justice, a vast bureaucracy.
The very calling of the Attorney General, then, is inherently tied to the concept of justice. Founding Father James Madison, the framer of our Constitution, said it best when he said, “Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society.”
In a biblical worldview, we understand that injustice is sure to occur until Christ returns and puts all wrongs to right. At the same time, the Bible recognizes that working toward justice is the key calling of government leaders. The Old Testament has much to say on this.
The prophet Isaiah gives us the revelation: “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.”
Even in a fallen world, effort toward justice is expected from rules. Proverbs 21:15 says, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
Whether the AG or U.S. President, whether the local District Attorney or a Judge, all government leaders have an obligation—a duty—to ensure justice.
Thomas Aquinas defined justice as “a habit whereby a man renders to each one his due with constant and perpetual will.” The concept is closely tied to the Golden Rule, taught by Christ Himself.
Isn’t it a blessing that our Founding Fathers established a role specific to this charge? Let’s pray whoever follows Holder will take this charge seriously, biblically and justly. Our citizens deserve no less. God expects no less.
by Karen Kinnaird | Sep 3, 2014
Many of us cringed when we saw the recent video of Victoria Osteen saying, “I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God! I mean that’s one way to look at it, we’re doing it for ourselves because God takes pleasure when we’re happy…Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really, you’re doing it for yourself because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?” Of course, this is heresy and irrational. It’s self-idolatry. It’s feel good religion and not the truth. I wondered, why is she up on that platform? Does she have the theological training, and spiritual maturity which would make her qualified to speak to that? Perhaps she should sit down and be quiet!
I realize Osteen’s church views her as a ‘co-pastor.’ In reality, most pastor’s wives have no official training. I have a whopping one hour of seminary credit from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for a wonderful course on The Minister’s Wife. My degree is in Business. As a young minister’s wife and new Christian I thoroughly enjoyed the class and soaked up everything that was taught. But all these years later, all I remember is the importance of sex and writing thank-you notes.
Many pastor’s wives struggle with feelings of inadequacy simply because they are placed in a position of leadership and authority without any training or preparation. I was a Christian for only 2 years when I married and found myself as a staff wife in a large New Orleans church. Back in the old days when we did not have cell phones yet, I would answer the many phone calls we received at home in the evenings when my husband was out. One of the first calls I received was from a young man threatening to take his life. My first thought? I’m not prepared for this! What am I to say? Can you hold off killing yourself until my husband gets home? No. I prayed for the right words and stumbled my way through the conversation; until my husband got home. The young man was fine in the end. The next call was a theological question. The caller assumed I would know the answer. As we spoke, I prayed and flipped feverishly through the commentary and references in my Bible. I found the answer!
I have made many pastoral wife mistakes over the years. I’ve spoken when I shouldn’t have, not spoken when I should have and given poor advice. My intentions were good, but lack of experience and immaturity got the best of me. Unfortunately, sometimes it still does. Of course we all, including Victoria, need to learn from our mistakes and admit when we say something ridiculous.
Ministers’ wives who do not have the opportunity to have formal ministerial training will get their training on-the-job. Maturity will come over time and with experience as we grow spiritually, seek resources, spend time with wise mentors and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us. I do believe that ministers’ spouses and families are called by God. But, we should be careful not to presume that just because we are married to a minister that automatically qualifies us to handle all situations prematurely. While I’m not making excuses for Victoria or her errant theology, I do hope we give all our ministers’ wives some grace and room to blow it from time to time.
by Chris Doyle | Aug 19, 2014
I have not been confronted to take the ice bucket challenge. I am aware of the social media success, as ALS Research has raised more than $15 million in the last four weeks, and I have seen many of my friends participate in the challenge, as well as hundreds of celebrities.
The idea of progress being made to help many who have been suffering from this terrible disease is a great thing, especially since support for such research appeared to be overlooked. It is fascinating how far this fad of generosity has extended within a month’s time.
It is important, though, for us as Christians to “test all things” (I Thess. 5:21). Do the research before committing to do something, regardless of how popular a trend may be or how noble the cause may appear.
Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that the ALS Association is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research. As much as I want suffering from ALS to end, I struggle with the idea of a solution at the expense of the unborn, especially when such research is unnecessary.
So here is my proposal. If someone were to challenge me to have ice water doused upon my body, I would agree to do it, but I also would promote the idea to support a research organization that emphasizes pro-life bioethics (e.g. someone has recommended the John Paul II Medical Research Institute). And then I would challenge three other people who also value the Sanctity of Life to do the same.
To help find a cure is a great thing. To do so while not having to compromise our Christian moral ethics is the most excellent way because we know Who ultimately holds the cure, and to serve others while also honoring God is what we are called to do.
by Brian Hobbs | Jun 30, 2014
The ancient Romans had a phrase about winning and losing. In Latin, “Vae victis” meant “woe to the conquered.”
Within the last five years, conservative Christians have known all too well the feeling of being conquered, being on the losing side of many cultural battles. From the unhindered advance of so-called “gay marriage” to the normalization of once looked down upon things like pornography and marijuana use, the Christian view has slipped into a minority in America.
Just days before we celebrate Independence Day, however, the United States Supreme Court delivered Christians a decisive victory, upholding our first and most important freedom through its court ruling about Hobby Lobby.
Baptist Messenger readers will be familiar with the court case at hand, in which the Hobby Lobby owners, the Green Family, objected to paying to certain forms of abortion-inducing drugs required under President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). Standing on the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, the Court ruled in Hobby Lobby’s favor, 5-4.
The stakes were high, which makes the victory all the more important. This is not just a victory for the Green family though. As Ethics & Religious Liberty President Russell D. Moore pointed out, this is not even just a victory for Christians. This is a victory for everyone. After all, a government big enough to override our religious convictions is a government big enough to take away other liberties too.
This case also is a victory for the unborn. Because of their courage to stand, many companies and Christian institutions will not be forced to provide funds for abortion-inducing drugs. Even if this does not stop one scheduled abortion or one person from using such medicines (though there is good reason to believe it will), we will not be made partners in the action to it.
All that being said, this is no time to gloat or believe a political or judicial solution is going to reverse all of our troubles in this country. Indeed, it will only be by God’s grace that we will see revival in the land and a Church with a renewed vision for reaching the lost.
Trevin Wax of LifeWay resources elaborated on this concern in his piece “The Supreme Court agrees with Hobby Lobby, but your neighbor probably doesn’t.” Wax wrote, “The culture class today is less about the role of religion in business or politics, and more about which vision of humanity best leads to flourishing and should therefore be enshrined in or favored by law.
“As evangelicals, we can’t rely on the courts; we have to be in conversations,” Wax continued. “Not the kind of conversation where we debate the merits of a particular case or where we seek to back opponents into a corner, but the kind of gentle persuasion that rises from a joyful exuberance in one’s faith and a hopeful confidence for the future.”
Fortunately, if religious liberty is protected, we will have a more level “playing field” in which to advance the Gospel. Sure, Hollywood and public opinion will be contrary to Christian beliefs and the Gospel. But such has it always been.
What this case better represents is a check on Caesar’s greedy grasp for more power over conscience. For this we celebrate. For this we are grateful to reside in America, still the home of the free and the land of the brave.
Photo credit: Rob Wilson/Shutterstock.com
by Chris Doyle | Jun 30, 2014
I was one of the last people to see Where was God? when it had its first screenings in May. This is a documentary about the enormous tornado that went through Moore, Okla. last year.
I’ll be honest, I had some skepticism, even though I knew the movie would do a good job covering the tragedy and featuring some of the victims who have recovered, or are still recovering. However, this movie did much more than feature an historic disaster. In fact, as a friend of mine put it, “the tornado is just a backdrop.”
If you were a fan of the television show, Lost, I think you would enjoy this movie. Viewers get to meet an eclectic cast of Moore citizens (are they Moor-ites?). None of these families knew each other before May 20, 2013, but what the tornado did was bring them together, as well as allow viewers to find out more about their lives and issues they dealt with before that significant, dreadful day.
In Lost, survivors of a plane crash are stranded on an island, but those who were avid watchers know the show was much more than these random people who were on a commercial flight together, figuring out how they were going to get off the island after the crash. There are background stories and multiple sub-plots about all the passengers, as well as others, including “The Others.”
Where was God? has a similar feel, though there’s no sinister villains or strange smoke monster. The cast is introduced; married couples describe how they met and fell in love, and a bonding with the viewers begins.
Details of May 20 are shown, how the tornado developed with great shots of the massive dark funnel cloud and descriptions given from the weather experts. The cast also share their intense experiences.
It’s easy to relate to all the characters. They reveal much of their lives, and their stories are powerful. It is possible to have a life-changing experience after watching this movie.
The movie will be returning to the Oklahoma City Metro, showing at the Quail Springs AMC Theater July 7-11. If you have already seen Where Was God? tell others about the upcoming showings. If you haven’t seen it, plan to go.
To find out more about Where Was God? visit wherewasgod.com. The website has information of show times in other areas, and there is an option sharing how your church could host a screening of the movie.
by Chris Forbes | Jun 23, 2014
There have been a lot of tweets, posts, articles, blog posts and discussions online and at the annual meeting asking this question: What has happened to the Southern Baptist Convention?
The fact is the SBC is not growing at the same pace it used to grow. Our baptisms are down from years before, the convention is on a decline. There must be a reason, there must be someone to blame! Everyone wonders what happened and asks what can we do about it, but are we asking the right questions?
How did we really get so big as a convention?
We are big mostly because we reached the Baby Boomer generation. The Southern Baptist Convention came of age in a time of unprecedented population growth in the USA. The 76,000,000 Baby Boomers born between 1946-1964 drove up the numbers of the SBC membership. This generation single-handedly increased the size of the denomination’s share of the USA total church attendance. Baby Boomers are by far the largest segment of the SBC (approximately 60% of SBC pastors are Boomers).
The history of the SBC parallels the life stages of the Boomer generation. As children they began to be enrolled in SBC church cradle rolls during the “Million More in ’54” campaign. The sheer size of the Boomer generation forced the SBC to adapt to their church ministries with innovations like age-graded Sunday School, church busing, Vacation Bible School, and full-time children’s ministries.
As Boomers became youth, the SBC experienced explosive growth in church-based youth ministry, youth camps, youth musicals, etc. SBC ministries like Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) summer missions, IMB Journeymen programs were at their height of popularity at the same time SBC Boomers were in college.
Many of the current SBC leaders became believers during the Jesus Movement in the 1970‘s and revivals of the 1980’s. When Boomers became parents they flocked together in our mega churches, and even changed the music used in worship services to suit their tastes.
Boomers are older now, and the SBC market has shifted. SBC has grown over the years because we reached mostly white Baby Boomer young families. That group has aged, and the children of Boomers are going to other churches. They are not leaving church; they were not raised to be brand loyal to the SBC.
How can we involve the next generations more effectively in SBC leadership?
A much smaller Generation X (born 1965-1979) and a larger, more ethnically-diverse Millennial generation (born 1980-1996) are taking the lead in the church at large. There happens to be fewer of them involved in the SBC leadership. How can we change that? How can we connect cooperatively with existing churches that reach other generations?
There used to be only a few options for church membership: Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc. Now there is a proliferation of new churches and increased competition for members from other conservative start-up churches. Visit any of these newer churches, and you will find many people there who grew up in the SBC. Most of these churches are theologically compatible with the SBC. How can we meaningfully affiliate with these churches?
In my opinion, the SBC needs to talk about these questions as much as they need to search their hearts about the other questions that are being asked in the convention.