By Bill Warren, NOBTS “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” Thus was the cry of William Tyndale as he died a martyr’s death because of his conviction that the Bible should be placed in the hands of the people and not kept in a language that only the clergy and upper classes could read. We are the heirs of his sacrificial work every time we open our English Bibles, for much of the wording even in modern English translations of the Bible still echoes the phrasing used by William Tyndale in his translation. In fact, nearly 80 percent of the wording found in the King James Version of the Bible comes from the work of William Tyndale. For example, because of the influence of Tyndale’s Bible translation work, some words that Tyndale “created” in English became standard vocabulary in English, such as the word “Jehovah” for God in the Old Testament. So who was this man who gave his life for his conviction that people should have access to the Bible in their own language? William Tyndale was born in 1494, and attended Magdalen College at Oxford, beginning there probably around age 12. After his Bachelor’s degree, he completed his Master’s degree in 1515 at the age of 21, then went to Cambridge where the Renaissance … [Read more...]

  By Bill Warren, NOBTS Question: What do we know about James, the head of the church in Jerusalem? NOBTS Professor Bill Warren responds: Many people are called “James” in the NT since that was a popular name among Jews in the first century due to its OT roots. The NT name “James” comes to us by way of the Latin translation of the Greek word for “Jacob,” which is based on the Hebrew name of the patriarch Jacob in the OT. Two different people named James were major figures in the church in Jerusalem during the first century. The first James with a major role in the Jerusalem church was the brother of John the Apostle, one of the “sons of thunder” as the two were called (Mark 3:17). Most likely James was older than John since his name is normally before John’s in the listings of the Apostles. Their mother is mentioned in Matthew 27:56 as one of three women present at the crucifixion of Jesus. In light of Mark 15:40, her name likely was Salome, so James’ parents were Salome and Zebedee. This James died about A.D. 44 or a bit before, at the hands of King Herod Agrippa I, as noted in Acts 12:2. He was the first of the Apostles to be martyred. The James who became the head of the church in Jerusalem was James the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00   By Kelly Boggs, Editor Baptist Message PINEVILLE -- Judge Mary Lauve Doggett of the Ninth Judicial District Court announced on Sept. 14  she was upholding an earlier decision that granted Louisiana College the right to determine the content of the school’s faith curriculum. Judge Doggett’s previous ruling, rendered March 27, was appealed by plaintiffs Carlton L. Winbery, Fredrick L. Downing, James R. Heath and Connie R. Douglas. The former LC professors had sued the college alleging loss of academic freedom and infliction of emotional distress.  The most recent ruling by the judge dismisses all claims made by the professors. In rejecting the appeal, Judge Doggett reaffirmed her previous position in the case. In the March ruling the judge wrote: “Under the establishment Clause [of the U.S. Constitution], the consideration is whether the issues which the Court will have to resolve will necessarily turn upon competing interpretations of religion, thus resulting in the Court becoming entangled in an ecclesiastical dispute.” Judge Doggett continued, “The ‘Entanglement Doctrine’ provides that a court must decline jurisdiction over a lawsuit when the dispute is so … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00   By Staff, LC Communications PINEVILLE – Louisiana College announced on Sept. 18 that J. Michael Johnson had tendered his “amicable resignation” from LC’s Pressler School of Law.” “It has been my honor and privilege to serve this institution, and I have committed to continue working with and supporting Louisiana College in the future,” Johnson said according to an LC press release. Johnson was hired as dean of LC’s Shreveport-based law school in July of 2010. He has since been directing the school which will be housed in the former Joe D. Waggonner Federal Building in downtown Shreveport. The building is in the midst of renovations. LC President Joe Aguillard said in the press release, Johnson “is moving on to other endeavors.” He did not, however, indicate what opportunity had lured Johnson away from his position as founding dean of the law school. Aguillard did add, “He [Johnson] has successfully guided the law school in its formative stages and steps, and we will be grateful for his continued involvement.” According to the release, “LC Board of Trustees met Tuesday to consider how to proceed. An interim dean has not been named, and it is not not known … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00 Harvest Now discipleship week: The third annual Harvest Now discipleship week for teens this summer, a District 8 event sponsored by Pleasant Hill Baptist Church of Florien and coordinated by Youth Minister Brian Gilcrease at the church, saw a group of about 100 teens from District 8 churches grow by week’s end to 140 or more each day, as the teens brought friends to participate in devotions each morning, about six hours of mission projects, followed by dynamic worship each evening. Services at night grew to 180 or more with the addition of parents.   FLORIEN – A mom who talked about her teenage son’s suicide helped a suicidal teen to see his need for the Lord. That was one of many “God-sightings” that took place during whre Mike Haynes is senior pastor. “The greatest thing to me about Harvest Now was watching God at work in the midst of not only the students but the leaders as well,” Haynes said. “If the Church of the Living God would get back to following the Spirit instead of man, what happened at Harvest Now could happen all across this land.” FLORIEN – A mom who talked about her teenage son’s suicide helped a suicidal teen to see his need for … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00 Fight Night   By Brian Blackwell, Marketing Director ALEXANDRIA – When Dwayne and Becky Vines first married, they knew small details such as who handles the finances could have destroyed their marriage. But the couple, now married for 20 years, realized early on they should focus on the bigger picture rather than spending time arguing over unimportant battles. “Being mean and arguing can be a habit,” said Dwayne Vines, dressed like a professional boxer during a mid-September “Fight Night” event at Calvary Baptist Church. “We could have had a bad marriage during the first year of our marriage. But we were more committed to our marriage than being right all the time.” Dwayne Vines and his wife talked about ways to handle conflict in a biblical manner. The two-hour Fight Night event, also featured video testimonials from authors Max Lucado and Chip Ingram. Becky Vines said that throughout their marriage the couple has kept Christ at the center. She said by doing so, the couple has been able to keep the proper perspective on who is at the head of their marriage. “When conflict arrives there are three parties involved,” she said. She added that … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 01:00 Terry Tanner   By Karen L. Willoughby, Managing Editor Terry Tanner FOREST HILL – After 25 years of working in various Louisiana Baptist ministries, Terry Tanner quit her job last January to be able to concentrate full time on missions with Native Americans. It was a financial step of faith – she’s already spent her savings and retirement – but one Tanner believed God wanted her to make. “I just kept feeling the urge to go, but I had never even been on a mission trip,” said Tanner, a member of Pisgah Baptist Church in Forest Hill, where Josh Adams is pastor. “The door opened through Gary Hahler. I was friends with him on Facebook; he was a former teacher of mine. He said Pine Ridge [S.D.] was like a third-world country.” Hahler wrote that when he was an area missionary in western South Dakota, where Oglala Sioux live on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Tanner went there during her vacation from work the summer of 2011. “A month after the mission to Pine Ridge, I took time off without pay to go to the Lac du Flambeau and Menominee reservations in Wisconsin,” Tanner said. “After that, I just knew He was calling me to do it full-time. I resigned in … [Read more...]

  By Marc Eichelberger, LBCH Communications MONROE – “Where are the children who need us and how can we meet their needs?” This question expresses the heart and vision of the leadership of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries. In May, Children’s Home trustees voted to expand the current network of foster care and adoption ministries across the state. The first strategic steps have been taken to reach greater numbers of Louisiana children who need love, care, and a positive Christian witness. Alice’ McCullin Harper and Courtney Eichelberger have been added to the Children’s Home ministry team. Alice’ and Courtney will serve as full-time Louisiana Baptist Foster & Adoption Network regional social workers. Alice will cover the central Louisiana region and work out of Alexandria/Pineville. Courtney will cover the south Louisiana region and work out of Baton Rouge. Other social workers will be added in the future to provide complete statewide coverage. Alice’ completed her Master of Social Work degree from Louisiana State University. She has extensive experience working with children in clinical, non-profit, and faith-based settings. Alice’ has served as a Children’s Ministry Intern at Calvary … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message NEW ORLEANS/SHREVEPORT – Global Fest 2012, the annual fundraising effort for Global Maritime Ministries in New Orleans and Reserve, La., is to take place Sept. 28 at First Baptist New Orleans, and Oct. 13 at Calvary Baptist Shreveport. “As a nonprofit, we must raise all the support needed to meet our financial obligations,” said Executive Director Philip Vandercook. “This includes ministry resources such as the seafarers’ centers and vans. It also includes Bibles, insurance, chaplains’ salaries, utilities and all the other resources needed to keep the ministry going on a daily basis.” In the first seven months of this year, Global Maritime Ministries visited 60 ships, talked with 9,239 seafarers from 989 countries and 145 port workers, brought 3,115 seafarers to the GMM center, led in 228 evangelistic conversations and listened as seven people made professions of faith. HOUMA –  “After one of our older church members heard about supporting Chick-fil-A, he treated all of our Wednesday night crowd to a meal,” said Angela Walling, church secretary at Christ Baptist Church. About 30 people got “whatever they wanted,” on Sept. 5, Walling said, as a gift from long-time member Mecklen Taylor. … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES n Dore Langley, new as pastor of Cornerstone Baptist in Jennings. n Donnell Sevario, resigned as minister of Youth at Carroll Baptist in Walker. Pastor: Lonnie Cook. n Lane Wascom, resigned as minister of music at Northside Baptist Denham Spring. Pastor: Merelin McCon. n Chad (Wife Courtney) Reister, new as minister of youth and education at Gloster Baptist from SEBTS in Wake Forest, N.C. Pastor: Ron McLellan. n Jason Lupo, resigned as pastor from Lamar Baptist in Delhi to become pastor of Mt. Paran Baptist in Shongaloo. n Donnie Lee, new as Minister of Music at Southside Baptist in Denham Springs. Pastor: Don Hoy. n Jeff (wife Grace) Markey, new as music and worship associate at First Baptist Covington. Pastor: Waylon Bailey. Needed/Giving n Northside Baptist Church in Denham Springs seeks a bivocational part-time Minister of Muisc. Send resume to Northside Baptist Church, 200 Cockerham Road, Denham Springs LA 70726; northsidebap@bellsouth.net or 225.664.3161. Pastor: Merelin McCon. n Superior Avenue Baptist in Bogalusa seeks part-time youth minister. Send resumes to Superior Avenue Baptist Church, 439 Superior Avenue, Bogalusa LA 70427 or email: … [Read more...]