The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God. The old line warns people about the dangers of raising the hot topics of religion and sex around the so-called "kitchen table" of life.   Well, if one thinks that is dangerous - try joking about religion. Better yet, have someone begin joking about your religion. And do not even consider laughing about God.   Religion-based humor is the touchiest. Anyone who ventures into it must walk an exceedingly fine line - especially in the middle of a conflict over terrorism that has religious overtones.   Just ask Roy Peterson, editorial cartoonist for Canada’s Southam News Service. He has just been hit by a petition signed by more than 300 angry Muslims.   Peterson’s contentious cartoon portrays terrorist Osama bin Laden pointing a video-camera at himself and saying: "Yo, Allah! Smile, we’re on candid camera."   And a voice from above replies: … [Read more...]

Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947. Former Louisiana Baptist Convention President and longtime state leader Charles E. Harvey Sr. died April 14, following a lengthy illness.   Harvey was 76.   Harvey was a Louisiana native and spent his entire ministry in the state, beginning with his ordination to the gospel ministry at Ingleside Baptist Church in 1947.   Harvey served three congregations before becoming pastor at Sunset Acres Baptist Church in 1954. He served that Louisiana Baptist congregation for 29 years before retiring from the full-time pastorate in 1983. He was named pastor emeritus.   By the time he left Sunset Acres, Harvey already had been asked to serve as Louisiana Baptist Convention director of evangelism, a position he held until he retired in 1990.   He then served three years as an adjunct professor of pastoral ministries at his alma mater, New … [Read more...]

Tim Elmore recalled how a conversation with the legendary heavy metal music group KISS shaped his ministry.   In college at the time, Elmore said he was horrified at the lifestyles of the musicians because many young people admired the celebrities. Elmore said he "made a deal with God" that if the group were ever in his town, he would witness to them. Tim Elmore recalled how a conversation with the legendary heavy metal music group KISS shaped his ministry.   In college at the time, Elmore said he was horrified at the lifestyles of the musicians because many young people admired the celebrities. Elmore said he "made a deal with God" that if the group were ever in his town, he would witness to them.   The group ended up in his town.   And after much hard work, Elmore was able to witness to all of the members during the wee hours of the morning after their concert appearance. Since that meeting, Elmore said one of the members has left the group because of his conversion to Christianity.   "That one encounter shaped my mission statement in ministry," Elmore told 405 participants in the Louisiana Baptist Collegiate Ministry Spring Assembly at Tall Timbers … [Read more...]

Re: Bible translation articles.   One of the best translations was the Revised Standard Version, particularly the revision of 1971, but its flaws were well publicized and debated. The RSV translation "continuing chairman" was Bruce Metzger of Princeton. He told me he never dreamed such a good translation could have come using the committee approach. Re: Bible translation articles.   One of the best translations was the Revised Standard Version, particularly the revision of 1971, but its flaws were well publicized and debated. The RSV translation "continuing chairman" was Bruce Metzger of Princeton. He told me he never dreamed such a good translation could have come using the committee approach. He believed they had "done the impossible."   I agreed and have used the NIV for years, because I thought the wooden quality of the NASV stood in the way of good communication of God's truth. The NASV is a very good translation, but the English is very stiff. The NIV brought us very good English quality with a few problems in terms of translation fidelity. I would have preferred the use of "propitiation," for example, instead of "atoning sacrifice." But the new version of the NIV (TNIV) has … [Read more...]

The elimination of the phrase "the son of man" from Today’s New International Version (of the Bible) is just one more example of the decline in textual accuracy in most modern Bibles. The elimination of the phrase "the son of man" from Today’s New International Version (of the Bible) is just one more example of the decline in textual accuracy in most modern Bibles.   Deletions, alterations and other errors also affect the New International Version, the Revised Standard Version, the New American Standard Version and a legion of "paraphrased" nightmares.   For those that are spiritually "challenged" or "allergic" to the language in the King James, I recommend the 21st Century King James Bible, which transforms "archaic" words into modern English with no loss of meaning or accuracy.   Those Christian leaders who only object to the ghastly Today’s New International Version and not to its ignoble predecessors need to do more research - and Bible study.   Robert F. Taylor West Monroe … [Read more...]

Why so many Bible versions?   And some leave out the "blood."   The King James Version is written at what at that time was the fifth-grade reading level. Yet, many educated people say newer versions are easier to understand. Are Americans less literate today? Or do they want to be spoon fed spiritually? Why so many Bible versions?   And some leave out the "blood."   The King James Version is written at what at that time was the fifth-grade reading level. Yet, many educated people say newer versions are easier to understand. Are Americans less literate today? Or do they want to be spoon fed spiritually?   We raised our three children with the King James Version, and each Christian school they were in used the KJV, and the children memorized verses easily. Even in our local church today, Bible drill students use the KJV.   Is the Word of God inerrant and inspired and perfect or not?   The new versions tend to leave out words that are crucial to doctrine and change the meaning completely!   Can the reason be men produce new versions just to make money? The KJV is the only one without a copyright - anyone can reprint it … [Read more...]

For the week of April 25, 2002 Potpourri • JENA - Fellowship church: "Great Questions of the Bible" Senior Bible Adult Conference; April 28, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; April 29-30, 6:30 p.m.; Randy Ray, Tom Swain, Scotty Guilliot and Gary Norris, speakers; Angelina McKeithen, Down Home Night, Nebo Ladies and Pine Ridge Quartet, music; Randy Ray, pastor.   • JENA - Fellowship church: Angelina McKeithen in concert; April 28, 10:30 a.m.; Randy Ray, pastor.   • HAUGHTON - Koran church: "God Has a Plan" musical/drama; May 4, 7 p.m.; May 5, 5 p.m.; Hardy Yeatts, minister of music; George Rogers, pastor.   • COUSHATTA - First church: Super Sunday; April 28, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Joe Aulds and Family, guest speaker/music; Benny Alford, pastor.   • LEESVILLE - East Leesville church: "Experiencing God" musical; April 28, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Barry Pounds, minister of music; Arthur Gil, pastor.   • COLUMBIA - Banks Springs church: Blessed Assurance in concert; May 4, 7 p.m.; Bobby White, pastor.   • BATON ROUGE - Stevendale church: Heirline in concert; April 27, 7 p.m.; George Haile, interim pastor.   • NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans Theological Seminary: … [Read more...]

Internet pornography represents the "sin of choice" among too many Christians these days, Jimmy Draper warned recently.   To combat the temptation, Christians must take proactive steps, urged Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Internet pornography represents the "sin of choice" among too many Christians these days, Jimmy Draper warned recently.   To combat the temptation, Christians must take proactive steps, urged Draper, president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.   The key is to work to "avoid" the temptation, he explained in a recent newsletter article. "To be sure, ‘avoiding’ versus ‘resisting’ temptation is far superior. The apostle Paul wrote, ‘It is God’s will that you should ... avoid sexual immorality.’ Avoiding Web porn lessens the likelihood of having to resist it."   Draper offered 10 guidelines to help persons avoid Internet porn, including:   • Disconnect from the Internet.   Draper acknowledged that many rebel at the idea of a so-called "modemectomy." However, he likened it to when Jesus made when he advised persons to get rid of the hand, foot or eye … [Read more...]

In the past two years, Scott Bass and Roberta Mothershead moved from a spacious four-bedroom home in an affluent neighborhood to a modest two-bedroom house near a new public housing project.   They also have traveled to Haiti twice a year to deliver school supplies and clothes to poor children. And they work fewer hours, rearranging their schedules so they can devote more time to prayer and meditation. In the past two years, Scott Bass and Roberta Mothershead moved from a spacious four-bedroom home in an affluent neighborhood to a modest two-bedroom house near a new public housing project.   They also have traveled to Haiti twice a year to deliver school supplies and clothes to poor children. And they work fewer hours, rearranging their schedules so they can devote more time to prayer and meditation.   Bass and Mothershead did not make these choices and changes lightly. They talked and prayed about them. They also went to see a spiritual director - an increasingly popular move among people who are seeking better to understand the faith they embrace.   "It was becoming increasingly clear that there was something we were missing," says Bass, 40, of Raleigh, N.C., a lifelong … [Read more...]