Public prayer before football games is unconstitutional - even when the prayer is composed and led by a student, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled. Public prayer before football games is unconstitutional - even when the prayer is composed and led by a student, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled. The much-anticipated ruling does not ban all prayers at public schools, but it still has been cause for concern and criticism from some Christian leaders and religious liberty groups. Others consider it a proper decision that maintains the delicate balance between government and religion. In a 6-3 decision announced June 19, the high court ruled against a policy in a Galveston County school district in Texas - the Santa Fe Independent School District. The policy allowed the high school student body to determine if it wanted a student to speak over the public address system before football games. If so, students elected the speaker, who then decided whether to pray or give some other message. The school district argued the resulting prayers were private speech and deserved constitutional protection. The nations high court disagreed, saying the policy violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment. … [Read more...]
SBC messengers approve their first-ever Statement supporting capital punishment
Southern Baptist Convention messengers made history last week, adopting a first-ever resolution in support of capital punishment. Despite some debate, messengers easily approved a resolution that supports the death penalty as "a legitimate form of punishment for those guilty of murder or treasonous acts that result in death." Southern Baptist Convention messengers made history last week, adopting a first-ever resolution in support of capital punishment. Despite some debate, messengers easily approved a resolution that supports the death penalty as "a legitimate form of punishment for those guilty of murder or treasonous acts that result in death." The capital punishment resolution was one of only two that generated discussion. Altogether, messengers approved 10 resolutions on a range of topics at last week’s convention. The resolution on capital punishment comes amid growing public debate to re-evaluate capital punishment guidelines. It affirms the sacredness of life and notes God authorized capital punishment for murder in Genesis 9:6, validating its legitimacy. Indeed, God has set capital punishment "as a just and appropriate means by which the civil magistrate may punish those guilty of … [Read more...]
Resolutions address, threats of globalism, religious persecution
Southern Baptist Convention messengers last week approved resolution concerning: New Age globalism. The resolution expresses concern about promotion of "a one-world government, a one-world religion and a one-world economy." It warns the movement would redefine family and recognize homosexuals, bisexuals and transexuals; employ wholesale abortion as a means of population control; elevate the rights of children above parents; deny any religion can possess objective truth; and mean the destruction of the sovereignty of nations. Southern Baptist Convention messengers last week approved resolution concerning: New Age globalism. The resolution expresses concern about promotion of "a one-world government, a one-world religion and a one-world economy." It warns the movement would redefine family and recognize homosexuals, bisexuals and transexuals; employ wholesale abortion as a means of population control; elevate the rights of children above parents; deny any religion can possess objective truth; and mean the destruction of the sovereignty of nations. It calls on Christians to become informed about the movement and to pray and stand for national sovereignty. It urges leaders to protect the traditional … [Read more...]
Leader announces Internet prayer room, save-a-family effort
To address "a moral, ethical and spiritual crisis" gripping the nation, a Southern Baptist leader announced the launch of an Internet prayer room and a concerted effort to strengthen families. Southern Baptist Convention President Morris Chapman announced the initiatives during his report to messengers at last weeks annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. To address "a moral, ethical and spiritual crisis" gripping the nation, a Southern Baptist leader announced the launch of an Internet prayer room and a concerted effort to strengthen families. Southern Baptist Convention President Morris Chapman announced the initiatives during his report to messengers at last weeks annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. "If Americans continue to neglect the inner man, then this country is on a road to irreparable ruin," he warned. In response, Chapman cited the importance of prayer and repentance. "Revival is nothing else but a new beginning of a new obedience to God," he said, quoting 19th-century evangelist Charles Finney. "My heart is burdened with the knowledge that no real revival has ever occurred in history except that it was preceded by prayer." In an effort to foster such prayer for a spiritual awakening in … [Read more...]
Convention declines to form reconciliation committee
Southern Baptist Convention messengers dealt with several items of business last week, voting to expand the ministry of their Annuity Board and declining to form a committee to work toward reconciliation in the convention. Messengers approved 10 recommendations from the SBC Exectuive Committee and two motions from the floor. Southern Baptist Convention messengers dealt with several items of business last week, voting to expand the ministry of their Annuity Board and declining to form a committee to work toward reconciliation in the convention. Messengers approved 10 recommendations from the SBC Exectuive Committee and two motions from the floor. Executive Committee recommendations were approved without change during the annual meeting. A key change regarding the SBCAnnuity Board drew no discussion. The approved change allows the board to offer individual and institutional investment plans to Southern Baptists. Some state foundation leaders have complained about the change, insisting it duplicates services and confuses persons. However, messengers did not deliberate at all about the issue, approving it easily. Under the change, the Annuity Board is to form working relationships with each state … [Read more...]
Messengers adopt revised Baptist Faith and Message
Southern Baptist Convention messengers easily approved changes to their confessional statement last week after debating the place of Jesus and the Bible in the Christian faith. For the larger media world, the focus of the proposed document was on its declaration that only men may serve as pastor and that homosexuality is a sin. Southern Baptist Convention messengers easily approved changes to their confessional statement last week after debating the place of Jesus and the Bible in the Christian faith. For the larger media world, the focus of the proposed document was on its declaration that only men may serve as pastor and that homosexuality is a sin. But within the convention hall, debate focused on a more theological concern of the revelation and authority. Some messengers argued that the proposed document offers a new theology that equates Jesus and the Bible. They insisted that Jesus must stand above the Bible, which simply is a "record" of Gods revelation. However, the overwhelming number of messengers agreed with the Baptist Faith and Message study committee that there is no dividing the two making the Bible Gods revelation, pure and simple. Observers on both sides of the issue … [Read more...]
Another year – another record for Lottie Moon giving
The year 2000 has come, Y2K concerns have come and gone - and Southern Baptists continue to give strong support to international missions. Some things change. Some do not. The year 2000 has come, Y2K concerns have come and gone - and Southern Baptists continue to give strong support to international missions. Some things change. Some do not. Once again, Louisiana and Southern Baptists have set records for giving through the Lottie Moon Christimas Offering for International Missions. The offering runs on a June 1-to-May 31 basis each year - and recently closed. In Louisiana, gifts totaled $3,330,594.49, a record high and an increase of more than $135,000 (4.2 percent) from last year. The total represents the fourth straight year state receipts have topped $3 million - and the 13th consecutive increase in Lottie Moon giving by Louisiana Baptists. It also means that in the decade of the 1990s, Louisiana Baptists gave a little more than $29 million to support Southern Baptist missions efforts around the world. Their gifts this year helped Southern Baptists overall as well, who set another record by giving more than $105 million through the annual Lottie Moon offering. The total for the 1999 … [Read more...]
Leaders affirm religious freedom, right to evangelize
Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom, affirming that right for all persons and outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love." Evangelical leaders have issued a statement on religious freedom, affirming that right for all persons and outlining their commitment to share the gospel with "biblical love." The Chicago Declaration of Religious Freedom was initiated by Southern Baptist leaders in light of recent criticism about evangelistic efforts. It has been endorsed by several dozen evangelical leaders. The declaration notes that freedom to share ones religious beliefs is a basic liberty. "Yet confusion has arisen over the efforts of some Christian believers, ministries, and denominations to make Christ known to members of other faith communities," the statement adds. "Some contend that these efforts undermine a peaceful, pluralistic society and may lead to intolerance, bigotry, and even violence. "As followers of Jesus Christ representing numerous denominations and religious organizations, we affirm that: "Only a society that permits free discourse within the robust marketplace of ideas envisioned by Americas founders can safeguard the true … [Read more...]
Soul compentency’
I have some reservations about a point or two in the revised Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language in the article on the doctrine of salvation. I have some reservations about a point or two in the revised Baptist Faith and Message. My principal concern lies with language in the article on the doctrine of salvation. The 1963 Baptist Faith and Message contained language that was theologically unclear at best. It has been carried over into the revision. I had the opportunity to discuss this with Dr. Hobbs before his death. On that occasion, we also talked about the term "soul competency." I wanted to know where the terminology came from. To my astonishment, Dr. Hobbs told me he invented the term. He said he first used it in an introduction for an edition of "The Axioms of the Christian Religion," by E. Y. Mullins. Dr. Hobbs could have been wrong about that, but I have never seen the term in older works. It is hard to imagine that Baptist theologians like James Boyce and John Dagg or preachers like Charles Spurgeon would use such a term. They believed in the incompetence of man, not in his competence before God. They believed we do not become spiritually competent until the Lord renews … [Read more...]
The Louisiana connection
Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented in the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers. Louisiana Baptists past and present were well represented in the recent election of International Mission Board trustee officers. Dr. Timothy McCoy, pastor of Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia was elected as chair of the board of trustees. McCoy defeated Dr. Alan Day, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Edmond, Okla. by a margin of two votes. Both McCoy and Day are graduates of Louisiana College. Day graduated from Louisiana College in 1969, and McCoy graduated in 1979. Day is originally from Bogalusa, and McCoy came to Louisiana College by way of Kenner. Day received the doctor of theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in l979. While he was a student at Louisiana College, McCoy did some of his first preaching at the First Baptist Church of Basile. While he was at Louisiana College, Day was pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Bunkie. While he was at New Orleans Seminary, he was pastor of the Grays Creek Baptist Church in Denham Springs. Diane Reeder of Shreveport was elected recording secretary. Affectionately known as Pinkie, she is a member … [Read more...]