Last week, this column reflected upon Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s idea that most people see themselves as "coming of age." This includes living independently of God, except on rare occasions.   Bonhoeffer, a brilliant German theologian and preacher, said modern people are so removed from God that their focus is almost completely upon themselves. Note: The following editorial by Editor Lynn P. Clayton first was published in the February 2, 1995 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   Last week, this column reflected upon Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s idea that most people see themselves as "coming of age." This includes living independently of God, except on rare occasions.   Bonhoeffer, a brilliant German theologian and preacher, said modern people are so removed from God that their focus is almost completely upon themselves.   Before he was hanged by the Nazis in the last days of the war, Bonhoeffer reasoned the only way people would be able to understand sermons would be through their own self-centeredness. He predicted that preaching would, therefore, center more and … [Read more...]

A basic need of human beings is a roof. Call it shelter or whatever - we gotta have it. In our American abundance, we take roofs for granted - until they leak.   For more than a month, a company has been trying to put a new roof over the Baptist Message.   They had to remove all the decades of built-up roofing materials from our flat roof. They did that really well. The roof was bare. Note: The following On Second Thought by Editor Lynn P. Clayton first was published in the July 21, 1994 issue of the Louisiana Baptist Message. It is reprinted in this issue as Editor Clayton continues to recover from successful surgery on a brain abscess.   A basic need of human beings is a roof. Call it shelter or whatever - we gotta have it. In our American abundance, we take roofs for granted - until they leak.   For more than a month, a company has been trying to put a new roof over the Baptist Message.   They had to remove all the decades of built-up roofing materials from our flat roof. They did that really well. The roof was bare.   And then, they had to order more roofing materials they didn’t expect to need. So, the roof was left bare. They assured us there … [Read more...]

Ban legalized gambling, expert says   If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, an expert on legal policy told a gathering of anti-gambling activists.   "Gambling is a catalyst for economic downturn," insisted John Kindt, professor of commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois. Ban legalized gambling, expert says   If the government wants to stimulate the economy, it should outlaw gambling, an expert on legal policy told a gathering of anti-gambling activists.   "Gambling is a catalyst for economic downturn," insisted John Kindt, professor of commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois.   "If you want your 401(k) to come back, recriminalize gambling."   There are at least four reasons to listen to Kindt - that is the number of graduate degrees he holds in business and law. In addition, he has earned a national reputation for studying the economic effects of gambling and speaking out against the practice.   In his recent address, Kindt insisted that a ban on legalized gambling would boost the American economy by freeing up dollars for consumer spending that now go to the gambling … [Read more...]

A deepening food crisis is threatening the lives and health of more than 14 million people in southern Africa - and Southern Baptists are working to prevent disaster and share Christ’s love with hurting individuals.   Officials estimate 300,000 people could die in the next several months from famine caused by drought, floods, civil war, AIDS and other factors. A deepening food crisis is threatening the lives and health of more than 14 million people in southern Africa - and Southern Baptists are working to prevent disaster and share Christ’s love with hurting individuals.   Officials estimate 300,000 people could die in the next several months from famine caused by drought, floods, civil war, AIDS and other factors. The United Nations has requested more than $600 million for food, agriculture and health aid - and relief organizations are sending thousands of tons of food into the region.   Meanwhile, missionaries in southern Africa are partnering with local believers to identify groups overlooked by major aid organizations, which often focus on heavily-populated areas.   "We attempt to identify the cracks in the plans of the major donors to see where we can be of some … [Read more...]

For the week of October 10, 2002 Potpourri • PINEVILLE - Mary Hill Retreat center: Fall retreat for members of the Louisiana Chaplains Association; Oct. 14-16; Jeff Day, retreat leader; Doug Burnley, chair.   • VINTON - First church: Women’s conference; Oct. 19, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; $10 registration fee, includes breakfast and lunch; to register or for information, call (337) 589-4011; Gwen Houston, guest speaker; Bill Holifield, pastor.   • VIDALIA - Sycamore church: Delta Association annual meeting; Oct. 17, 5 p.m.; Gary Nunn, guest speaker; Richard Cullum, Sr., pastor.   • JENA - First Mt. Nebo church: LaSalle Association annual meeting; Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m.; Eddie Riley, guest speaker; Scotty Guillot, pastor.   • DRY CREEK - Dry Creek camp: Couple’s retreat; Oct. 25 (6 p.m. registration) - Oct. 26; $60 per couple for lodgers/$40 per couple commuting; Marvin and Karen Douglass, guest speakers; for information or to register, call (337) 328-7531; Curt Iles, camp manager.   • BASTROP - First church: Morehouse Association annual meeting; Oct. 13, 6 p.m.; Dean Doster, guest speaker; Jim Ingram, pastor.   • LAKE CHARLES - Sale Street church: "Night of … [Read more...]

A number of charter, bylaw and constitutional changes are scheduled to be proposed during the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Convention scheduled in Bossier City on Nov. 11-12.   As required, those proposed changes are being printed in the Baptist Message. They include proposals from the LBC Executive Board, Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and the Baptist Retirement Center. A number of charter, bylaw and constitutional changes are scheduled to be proposed during the 2002 Louisiana Baptist Convention scheduled in Bossier City on Nov. 11-12.   As required, those proposed changes are being printed in the Baptist Message. They include proposals from the LBC Executive Board, Louisiana College, the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home and the Baptist Retirement Center.   The changes from the agencies relate to a recent study that focused on ways to tie those entities more securely to the state convention and prevent them from moving to self-perpetuating boards - as agencies in others states have done.   The executive board proposals relate to that study and to three other matters - adding the Baptist Faith and Message to convention bylaws, affirming the … [Read more...]

It is a beautiful Louisiana day - the sky is baby-eye blue, with cotton-ball clouds and slate-grey thunderheads scattered here and there.   The wind bends the tall grass on the side of the road and swirls in through the open windows as one drives south down state Hwy. 1.   It is a typical Friday in Louisiana. It is a beautiful Louisiana day - the sky is baby-eye blue, with cotton-ball clouds and slate-grey thunderheads scattered here and there.   The wind bends the tall grass on the side of the road and swirls in through the open windows as one drives south down state Hwy. 1.   It is a typical Friday in Louisiana.   Except.   There are school buses parked, idle. Most of the businesses lining the highway are closed. More convenience stores than not are shuttered up, windows covered with sheets of plywood.   Hurricane Lili came to town yesterday.   Her little brother visited a week earlier.   And now, Louisiana Baptists have arrived, stationing themselves in needy areas, offering food ˆ and hope.   When Lili swept into South Louisiana last week, it marked the first time a hurricane had hit the United States … [Read more...]

Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus offered some final instruc-tions that his disciples were to go into all parts of the world to proclaim his Good News.   Year after year, Louisiana Baptists continue to heed the call, often spending summer vacations and time off in missions efforts in their own backyards and others backyards around the nation and world. Some 2,000 years ago, Jesus offered some final instruc-tions that his disciples were to go into all parts of the world to proclaim his Good News.   Year after year, Louisiana Baptists continue to heed the call, often spending summer vacations and time off in missions efforts in their own backyards and others backyards around the nation and world.   This year was no different, with Louisiana Baptist members and churches engaging in a host of missions efforts.   Some engaged in efforts through organized Southern Baptist programs, such as World Changers, which gave young people an opportunity to engage in hands-on ministry and missions around the nation and world.   Others organized their own church efforts, identifying a need and mobilizing to meet it.   Still others made use of the various missions … [Read more...]

While many college students soaked up sun on the beach or worked in an office building this summer, some Louisiana college students took the trip of a lifetime in the United States and overseas.   "I honestly went to Africa because I felt like it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see another part of the world and to do ministry at the same time," says Louisiana Baptist Campus Ministry President Chad Gilbert, who served in Burkina Faso. While many college students soaked up sun on the beach or worked in an office building this summer, some Louisiana college students took the trip of a lifetime in the United States and overseas.   "I honestly went to Africa because I felt like it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see another part of the world and to do ministry at the same time," says Louisiana Baptist Campus Ministry President Chad Gilbert, who served in Burkina Faso.   A senior sociology major at Louisiana College in Pineville, Gilbert was one of 93 college students from 17 campuses in Louisiana to take part in Baptist Collegiate Ministry summer missions.   Students served in a variety of roles, such as church planter, English as a Second Language … [Read more...]

For the week of October 17, 2002 Support for Iraq action Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land recently affirmed to President George Bush that military action against Saddam Hussein’s regime would be justified. Four other Christian leaders joined Land in the letter, sent on Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission letterhead - Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship, James Kennedy of Coral Ridge Ministries and Carl Herbster of the American Association of Christian Schools. The leaders said they believed a military campaign against Iraq would fit within the guidelines of a "just war," as outlined by Christian theologians centuries ago. Some just-war advocates have not expressed as much assurance, while other religious leaders have voiced opposition to a military effort. "We believe that the cost of not dealing with this threat now will only succeed in greatly increasing the cost in human lives and suffering when an even more heavily armed and dangerous Saddam Hussein must be confronted at some date in the not too distant future," Land and his cosigners said. They questioned how the 20th century might have been different had Adolf Hitler been … [Read more...]