By Rob Phillips, Communications Director for Missouri Baptist Convention Apologetics simply is a reasonable defense of the Christian faith. The word is derived from the Greek noun apologia and means “a defense.” Apologia and its verb form apologeomai are used nearly 20 times in the New Testament, often in the classic legal sense, but more importantly to describe the call of God to all believers to defend the Christian faith with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). But how is sound doctrine applied practically? Put another way, what good is Christian apologetics? Apologetics has at least four practical applications. We may use apologetics to: Build There is a positive case to be made for Christianity, and apologetics helps us get there. The Bible, history, archaeology and other sources help establish that a real person named Jesus burst onto the scene 2,000 years ago. He claimed deity, performed miracles, spoke the truth, modeled compassion, died on a Roman cross, was buried and rose physically on the third day. His coming to earth was the most important event in human history. Further, apologetics helps us know who God is; who we are; why there is purpose in life; how we can be restored to a right relationship with … [Read more...]

By James T. Draper, Interim President of Criswell College and former President of the SBC A good question and one worth asking: Does our SBC have anything significant to say to this 21st century? I ask the question here in response to the contemporary idea that the age of denominationalism is past. It does us no good – and actually does us harm – to dwell on our size, numerical goals and our heritage. We can’t live in the past. Our heritage is only as meaningful as its most recent application, meaning that all we have done in reaching the nations for Christ does not guarantee us relevance in the future. Being “Great Commission People” and “People of the Book” means daily seeking opportunities to engage the world with the power of the Gospel but in humility and with a heart of service. It is easy for us to point to all that we feel is “wrong” about the SBC. Yes, there are some things that need to be changed but mostly we need to refocus. Every individual Southern Baptist has the ability to decide whether to be part of the problem or part of the solution. The solution is found in engaging the world with the power of the Gospel in humility and service. “What relevancy does the SBC have today?” It’s a good question and here’s my … [Read more...]

To the Editor In the recent article on Darwin Day, “Intelligent Design” was misidentified as postulating “that an intelligent being, perhaps God, is the cause and orchestrator of the process of evolution.”  This definition is actually a combination of two concepts, “Intelligent Design” and “Theistic Evolution,” accurately describing neither. Intelligent Design is a scientific theory recognizing design in creation and concluding that design comes from a designer (“an intelligent being, perhaps God”) and not from random process (evolution).  Intelligent Design does not support evolution. Theistic Evolution is a theological cover story to evolution positing that God “is the cause and orchestrator of the process of evolution” directing the random (or seemingly so to us) process of evolution.  Theistic Evolution supports evolution. Harold Henderson … [Read more...]

To the Editor As I look at our nation and churches, I believe it is plain to see that we are in a state of decline. Abortion, homosexuality, corruption, false teachings, and compromises of the gospel are on the rise, while biblical literacy, church attendance (especially among youth and young adults), and standing uncompromisingly on the Word of God seem to be trending down. I think one of the reasons for this, and also part of the solution, is male leadership (or lack thereof) in the church and in the home. Men are given the responsibility of being the head of the household under the lordship of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23) and the responsibility of overseeing and shepherding the church (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). As men it is our God given duty to see to the spiritual well-being of our families, to teach and demonstrate how to live godly lives to our children, and to be leaders in our local churches. It is the duty of older men to be examples and mentors to younger men (Titus 2:1-8). It is the responsibility of younger men to be under the guidance of godly older men. Jesus said in Matthew 9:37, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.” Let this be a wake-up call; let us commit ourselves to … [Read more...]

By Bob Stewart, Director of Institute for Christian Apologetics at NOBTS In my previous article I discussed briefly what worldviews are and how they function as life-guides for us.  Now I wish to say more about how they work in our lives and how they guide us in ministry. When we speak to non-Christians, it is crucial that they understand what we mean.  Far too often we speak a foreign language to those we are trying to reach.  What language you ask?  Christianese.  We ask questions like: Christian: “Have you been saved?” Friend: “Well, yes, at summer camp I fell out of a canoe but my scoutmaster saved me . . .” Christian: “That’s not what I mean, I mean have you been born again?” Friend: “Uh, not lately.” Christian: “No, I mean have you been washed in the blood?” Friend: “Ugh, no, and I don’t want to be.  Gross!” Christian: “You don’t get it, I’m trying to share the good news with you.” Friend: “All right, great!  So what is the good news?” Christian: “You’re going to Hell!” Friend: “So . . . what’s the bad news?” Clearly our non-Christian friends must know what we mean if our efforts at ministry are ever going to be successful. We need to be on the same page, so to speak. Worldviews are thus crucial to any … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Editor ALEXANDRIA – Alexandria’s daily newspaper published a report of a tape secretly recorded by Charles L. “Chuck” Quarles, former Dean of the Louisiana College Caskey School of Divinity, that it said questioned the role of David Hankins in the controversy that embroiled LC last spring. The report, published by The Town Talk on March 16, carried the headline “Was Calvinism or politics behind Louisiana College conflict? Role of LBC’s executive director questioned.” The context of the tape is a meeting between Quarles, Argile Smith and Philip Caples, both professors at Caskey at the time the recording was made, which Quarles told The Town Talk was March 2. 2012. The Town Talk was unable to release Quarles’ recording, which is more than an hour long, but the publication did allow the Baptist Message to come to the newspaper’s offices in downtown Alexandria to review it. The discussion concerning Hankins, the executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, and his role in the controversy that embroiled LC last spring consisted primarily of conjecture and speculation, the tape reveals. Of the three in the meeting, Smith and Quarles dominate the taped conversation in which they share their opinions … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 03/21/2014 - 10:15 By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer Less than four weeks remain until Easter and along with the Sunday service, lunch with family and egg hunting is another annual observation by Southern Baptists to coincide with the day celebrating Christ’s resurrection – the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. This year’s national goal is $70 million, the same as in 2013. Last year Louisiana Baptists gave $2,081,922.04 to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. One hundred percent of funds collected through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering are used to assist North American Mission Board missionaries in spreading the gospel. Annie Armstrong-supported missionaries, among other activities, plant new churches, engage in evangelism on university campuses, work as church planting catalysts and serve spiritual and physical needs of others through ministry evangelism. Churches like Judson Baptist Church in Walker continue to highlight the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering on an annual basis. The church’s goal is $21,000. The church collects the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering on Easter Sunday, using a box it has used for many years. At designated times in its worship services, members … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message PINEVILLE – Church leaders wanting to know how to bring new life into their congregation are encouraged to attend the Send North America Church Growth and Revitalization Conference. Scheduled for April 8 at First Baptist Pineville, the conference will feature Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, Ga. He will lead three main sessions. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. The cost of $30 to attend includes registration, conference notebook, lunch, refreshments and a $15 LifeWay gift card. For more information visit namb.net/revitalization-conference. Send North America is a strategy of the North American Mission Board of mobilizing Southern Baptist churches to plant churches in cities without a thriving gospel presence. Thirty-two cities including New Orleans are Send North America cities. … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Fri, 03/21/2014 - 10:18 Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzales recognized Mrs. Mary Ann Gunter for more than 50 years of service as accompanist for Baptist churches in Mississippi and Louisiana. She started playing for churches as a teenager, her last 15 years of service being at Ascension. Mrs. Gunter’s service was also noted in a special presentation from LBC Music and Worship Specialist Benjamin Harlan. Shown presenting Mrs. Gunter a plaque was (from left) Ascension Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Robert Lawrence, Mrs. Gunter and Harlan. Harlan noted that through her half century of service she had played close to 50,000 different pieces for church services, revivals, weddings, rehearsals, and funerals. The theme of the service was commitment to service and Mrs. Mary Ann’s life was noted as a living testimony of the committed life. Select rating Give it 1/5 Give it 2/5 Give it 3/5 Give it 4/5 Give it 5/5 … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer ALEXANDRIA – Baby boomers are quickly approaching age 65 and approaching their retirement age with a different mindset than previous generations, said Louisiana Baptist Convention Adult Ministry Strategist Jeff Ingram. Reaching this generation may require out of the box thinking, which will be covered in the upcoming seminar “Reaching & Unleashing: Baby Boomers and Beyond.” Scheduled for March 31, the one-day conference will help equip Louisiana Baptist church staff and lay persons to develop a strategy to reach, teach and minister to Baby Boomers, a generation born between 1946 and 1964. Dr. Amy Hanson, a speaker, writer and consultant on the unique needs and opportunities of older adults, will lead the conference that begins at 9:30 am and ends at 3:15 pm. Conference topics will include ministry with Boomers and beyond: re-tooling ministries for maximum impact, service: the linchpin of a successful ministry, the new old: trends of effective Boomer ministries and breaking down the age barriers: practical ways to becoming an intergenerational church. “I am always hearing from church leaders about how they can get Boomers more involved,” Ingram said. “The boomers don’t see … [Read more...]