By Barrett Duke, Vice President of Public Policy and Research at ERLC An oxymoron is a figure of speech that uses contradictory terms, like “larger half” or “jumbo shrimp.” The term also applies to the phrase “medical marijuana.” There is very little medicinal about marijuana. Yet, each year more states are legalizing its use for all sorts of medical purposes. Connecticut recently became the 17th state along with the District of Columbia to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. At least 19 states considered a medical marijuana law in 2012 and six others are still considering legislation. Don’t be taken in. Marijuana is a dangerous drug with countless negative effects. The rush to decriminalization in the name of pain control or mental health cannot be justified. Most people who use marijuana to relieve severe pain combine it with stronger pain relievers because marijuana is not effective enough by itself. Furthermore, marijuana’s pain-relieving ingredient has been available by prescription for years. A person can purchase Marinol – right now – with a doctor’s prescription. The use of marijuana as a means to improve one’s mental health also is not justifiable. People dealing with depression need the regular care … [Read more...]

  To the Editor Our Baptist Faith and Message says that marriage is between one man and one woman FOR LIFE.  We fight diligently and relentlessly for that first part – one man and one woman, but seems like we are totally ignoring the second part – FOR LIFE. The church has for too long been mute and motionless when it comes to sick marriages. It’s time to stop pronouncing them dead and having a funeral. The question that must be answered is:  Do we really believe that we are our brother’s keeper when it comes to helping a brother or sister save his or her marriage (and usually his or her family)?  Billy Miller Alexandria, La. To the Editor Our Baptist Faith and Message says that marriage is between one man and one woman FOR LIFE. We fight diligently and relentlessly for that first part – one man and one woman, but seems like we are totally ignoring the second part – FOR LIFE. The church has for too long been mute and motionless when it comes to sick marriages. It’s time to stop pronouncing them dead and having a funeral. The question that must be answered is:  Do we really believe that we are our brother’s keeper when it comes to helping a brother or sister save his or her marriage (and usually his or … [Read more...]

  By Dr. Charles Quarles, Dean of the Caskey School of Divinity at Louisiana College John Newton’s hymn Amazing Grace was written in England in 1779. Although it is now over 200 years old, it has stood the test of time and remains a favorite of Christians both young and old. The old cliché that “familiarity breeds contempt” certainly does not apply in this case. We can recite every line of the hymn in our sleep and yet it has still not lost its ability to stir our hearts. Perhaps, though, familiarity breeds neglect. We may sometimes mouth the words of the hymn without reflecting deeply on the great truths that it expresses. Let’s think for a moment about the second stanza of the hymn: Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved, How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Newton wrote his Olney hymns to accompany his Thursday evening Bible studies. Hymn 41, now known as Amazing Grace, was Newton’s reflection on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, where David responded to God’s promise through Nathan that the Messiah would be born of David’s line. The Scripture says, “Then King David went in, sat in the Lord’s presence, and said, ‘Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that You have … [Read more...]

By Archie England, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTSQuestion: How did the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) show Israel the Messiah?Archie England, Old Testament Professor at NOBTS responds: The Book of Leviticus is filled with laws governing Israel’s worship of God. In the first 15 chapters, Moses stipulated the types of sacrifices allowed, the requirements for those bringing a sacrifice, the mediators (priests) of the sacrifice, and the place of sacrifice. From these sacrificial laws emerges an ultimate day of sacrifice: the Day of Atonement.“Yom Kippur,” the Day of Atonement, occurred during the last of three festival seasons (Passover; Pentecost; Trumpets – cf. Lev 23). After the harvest, all Israelites assembled to give thanks to the Lord of the Harvest and to bring commensurate offerings for the forgiveness of their sins. With the appropriate sacrifice in hand, each family would journey to Jerusalem – singing the Psalms and preparing their hearts for worship. Families could observe each other’s intended offerings (that’s humbling). As such, preparation for this event was both private and public. Accountability for sin was evident.Once their offerings were presented to the priests, the people awaited the final … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:00 A Prayerful Man: Mike Thompson (in do-rag at right) impacts young and old alike through bike rallies, prison ministry, a Christian campground and mission trips. Here is pictured at a prison revival in Arkansas.   By Robert Lemoine, Special to the Message DUBACH, LA – Mike Thompson reaches sinners through a different type of ministry. Thompson, a member of Pisgah Baptist Church in Bernice impacts young and old alike, using Christian bike rallies, prison ministry, a Christian campground, and mission trips. He was diagnosed with cancer all over his body at age 18, and given six months to live, so he bought a motorcycle and rode hard on what he now says was the “Highway to Hell.” But he didn’t die, and spent the 24 years after his diagnosis partying, consumed by drugs and alcohol. At one point he was sentenced to 10 years in state prison, but only spent three years in a local jail when he was released on supervised probation. On New Year’s Eve following his release, Thompsn received a call from a friend of his who had become a preacher, inviting him over and promising that he wouldn’t preach to him. Thompson agreed and went to meet Bro. Carl. In the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:00 Not Indicative of SBC: SBC President Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, says the incident in Mississippi is not indicative of the Southern Baptist Convention.   By Diana Chandler, Baptist Press CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. (BP) – The inability of an African American couple to wed at predominantly white First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., is not indicative of Southern Baptists, denominational leaders said. The pastor’s decision to change the wedding venue, after a few members’ reaction because of the couple’s race, is an unfortunate, isolated incident from which pastors can learn, Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter said. “We just have to be aware that the enemy will use anything he can to come against our churches and our ministries with something like this. And so we’ve always got to be aware that the enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy,” said Luter, the first African American elected as SBC president. “It’s unfortunate that it happened, but we’ve got to learn from it, and be able to go on and do what God has called us to do. “What we can learn from it is that we need to talk to our … [Read more...]

  By Staff, Baptist Press CRYSTAL SPRINGS, Miss. (BP) – First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Miss., has publicly apologized after an African American couple was barred because of their race from holding their wedding at the predominantly white church. “Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions. This wrong decision resulted in hurt and sadness for everyone,” the church said in a statement read at the end of its Sunday (Aug. 5) worship service and posted on its website. The congregation drew negative publicity when pastor Stan Weatherford told the couple he could not perform their wedding at the 150-year-old church because a few members objected to blacks being married there. Instead, Weatherford married Charles and Te’Andrea (Henderson) Wilson at a nearby African American church. “We are seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with our Lord Jesus Christ, Te’Andrea and Charles, family and friends of the Hendersons and Wilsons, our church family, and our community for the actions and attitudes that have recently occurred,” the church said, one week after town leaders, other First Baptist members and various observers expressed … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:00 Discussing Calvinism: During a Q&A at Kentucky Baptist Convention’s conference entitled “Calvinism: Concerned, Confused, or Curious,” Executive Committee President Frank Page answers a question from one of the attendees. Other panelists were: (second from left) Hershael York, Kevin Smith (moderator), Steve Lemke and David Dockery.   By Michael Foust, Baptist Press CRESTWOOD, Ky. (BP) – A panel of four Southern Baptist leaders Saturday (Aug. 4) talked honestly about the division within the convention over the issue of Calvinism while offering suggestions and maintaining that Southern Baptists should and can unite, despite differences. “Baptists for 400 years have disagreed over this issue, and we’re not going to come to some place where we all agree. I think we can come to a place where we all can work together,” said Union University President David Dockery, one of the speakers at a conference sponsored by the Kentucky Baptist Convention. The conference, called “Calvinism: Concerned, Confused, or Curious,” took place at Crestwood (Ky.) Baptist Church. “In the 18th century, there were particular [Calvinist] and general Baptists, but at the … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:00 LC Football   By John Willie, LC Communications PINEVILLE – The faculty and staff are getting ready for another great year at Louisiana College. Student leaders are preparing for more than 330 freshmen to be on campus for the annual Wildcat Welcome Week, Louisiana College’s orientation for all incoming freshman. It’s a time for the freshmen to meet the students and staff they’ll be around for the next four years. The week will introduce students to LC by placing them in groups led by upperclassmen where they will learn the essentials of college life. The Louisiana Collegiate International Academy kicks off this fall with 11 Chinese students and five local students completing their high school degrees. LCIA offers students from around the world the opportunity to accelerate their academic careers in a collegiate campus setting with college-level courses. Students who attend LCIA can potentially earn as many as 50 hours of college credit, fast tracking those students who may wish to pursue a Masters or Doctorate in the future. There are many exciting things happening at your college and it could not be done without the support of our students, … [Read more...]

Submitted by philip on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 01:00 First Coushatta Groundbreaking   By Staff, Baptist Message HAUGHTON – A softball and van ministry has translated into baptisms and changed lives for the community of Haughton. Michael Reichard, pastor of Koran Baptist Church, said a van ministry that transports as many as 150 children, youth and adults to the church on Sundays and Wednesdays has resulted in some of those people accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Additionally, a softball ministry that occurs each July provides an avenue for the community to gather, as well as the baptism of some of the participants – four families this summer, the pastor said. GRAWOOD BAPTIST GRAWOOD – Since November 2009 as many as 150 people from Grawood Baptist Church in Keithville have participated in a weekly missions project throughout the Shreveport/Bossier City area. Some of the projects have included feeding the homeless at a local mission, conducting game nights at a children’s hospital and nursing home, serving a meal at a former hotel where homeless veterans live and fellowshipping with the community over a home-cooked meal at Grawood Baptist. Pastor Tom Carlton said the efforts have … [Read more...]