By Reggie Bridges, Pastor First Baptist Zachary   One of the most recognized principles in Christianity is commonly called the Golden Rule.   The term refers to Jesus’ words: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12 NIV).   Within this “rule,” Christ encapsulated the basic ethic of treating people with respect and compassion. A wonderful guide for our relationships, framed in a memorable way!   Since Jesus’ declaration, many individuals have appealed to the Golden Rule to inform their ethical conduct, but in recent days, the Lord’s words have been employed to justify public policy.   As you doubt know, President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage recently in a news interview.   The President cited Scripture as the primary reason for his “evolution.”  Which biblical passage did he refer to?  You guessed it, The Golden Rule.   Somehow, the President made the interpretive leap from respect to acceptance.  In his view, affirmation of the Golden Rule necessitates the approval of gay marriage.   This pseudo-biblical approach to the issue has delighted … [Read more...]

By Eric C. Redmond, Senior Pastor Reformation Alive Baptist Church   The question of the black church’s response to President’s Obama’s revelation of  his views on same-sex unions should have a simple and direct answer. Congregations of the faithful might consider sending a letter to the president of this sentiment:   Dear Mr. President,   Your recent expression of your understanding of ‘marriage’ is troubling to us. There are no tenets that can be identified as Christian that allow for anyone to view homosexuality as acceptable.   The Christian faith holds to the Bible as the truth, for it has given ample evidence of being the very words of God to man.   It is the Bible that reveals marriage to be a union between a man and a woman; it is the Bible that reveals all homosexual activity to be sinful. Therefore we would reject your so-called Christian understanding of same-sex marriage as uninformed and false.   Wide is the gap between what you and we are teaching our children – the next generation of American workers and leaders. Christian parents have a responsibility to raise their children to fear the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).   Because the Bible reveals … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   Again this year, a group of about 50 Korean students between the ages of 8 and 16 are to participate in the American culture immersion event known as Camp USA.   They and their sponsors are to arrive Friday, July 20, at Alexandria International Airport, and will be in the area until Sunday, July 29, when they will travel to First Baptist Church of Ponchatoula for the second leg of Camp USA.   While in Cenla, the students will participate in Vacation Bible School, English culture classes, and a variety of fun events, says Coordinator Susan Duke, a member at Tioga First Baptist.   At this time, 25 host homes are still needed, in order to provide the Koreans with a view of America they couldn’t see any other way than by experiencing for themselves what life is like in an American home, Duke said.   Contact Duke at 318.640. 4760, 318.623.6675, or s.duke@tiogafbc.com for more information or to volunteer to share your home. … [Read more...]

By Kevin McFadden, Louisiana College   The conservative resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention resulted from a battle primarily over the nature of the Bible.   Unlike every other denomination, the SBC returned to its historic position about the inspiration of Scripture.   However, Southern Baptists may “win the battle but lose the war” if we affirm a conservative doctrine of Scripture on paper, but fail to teach its meaning to our people. With this in my mind, my goal here is to explain the meaning of inspiration by reflecting on the doctrine’s classic text, 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV).   What does Paul mean when he says Scripture is “God-breathed”? You may notice that some of our older English translations of 2 Timothy 3:16 say that Scripture is “inspired by God.”   The aforementioned older translation comes over into English from a Latin translation of the verse. Unfortunately for us, the English words “inspire” and “inspiration” are never used in modern conversation in the way they are used in Christian theology.   When Christians say that the Bible is … [Read more...]

By Bill Warren, NOBTS   Question: A friend said that Jesus’ ministry may have only been a year long, but I’ve always heard that it was three years long. How long did the ministry of Jesus last?   Bill Warren responds: Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the New Testament doesn’t have any explicit statements about how long Jesus’ ministry lasted. So the length is determined by looking at the various references to events in Jesus’ ministry, with special attention being given to Jesus’ trips to Jerusalem. Based on this information, the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) only mention one trip to Jerusalem by Jesus during his ministry after his baptism and temptations. This is the basis that some use for talking of only a one-year ministry by Jesus.   But John mentions several trips to Jerusalem by Jesus. John 2:13 mentions Jesus going up to Jerusalem before the Passover, with the cleansing of the temple following. Then in John 6:4, the Passover is noted as being near, so that makes two Passover references. The third reference in John 11:55 highlights the crowds going to the Passover and hoping to see Jesus there. This is the final Passover that culminates in Jesus being arrested and crucified (and … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8163|title=Jack Hunter|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=424|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – When Hurricane Katrina crashed against the shores of Louisiana in 2005, floods deluged New Orleans, washing away houses, businesses and churches as well as the hope of many. Yet in the wake of catastrophic destruction, Southern Baptists found an opportunity to shine amid the darkness and help rebuild the Big Easy. Jack Hunter, executive director of the New Orleans Baptist Association (NOBA) and a native New Orleanian, rejoices over the “virtual army of Southern Baptists who have come through to help with various aspects of the rebuilding of New Orleans.” Hunter practiced law in New Orleans for nearly 30 years and ministered in a housing project through his local church prior to Katrina. After the flood, he joined the thousands of other volunteers in recovery efforts. He joined the staff of NOBA in 2009 and was named executive director in 2011. While initial post-Katrina efforts emphasized relief and recovery, Hunter said NOBA has shifted toward rebuilding – none of which could be accomplished without the cooperation of Southern Baptist churches. “After Katrina, we experienced a tremendous influx of assistance from … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Message   [img_assist|nid=8165|title=Top Winner|desc=Teresa Thomason, LBC Keyboard Consultant stands behind overall winner Mary Katherine Schober of Heritage Baptist Church in Shreveport. Schober received the Teresa Thomason Keyboard Scholarship of $1,000, which will help as she enters LSU this fall.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=429]PINEVILLE – Louisiana College in Pineville was the site May 12 of the State Piano Festival, in which 13 youth who received Superior ratings at an Area Keyboard Festival participated.   This festival was sponsored by the Music and Worship Team of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and was coordinated by Teresa Thomason, LBC Keyboard Consultant.   Judges (keyboard adjudicators) were Connie Beaugh and Karyn Laing, keyboard specialists of LBC, and Michael Sterne, Melva Villard and Tamera Zona, piano teachers and musicians from Alexandria.   Serving as hymn director was Dani Fookes, local musician from Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville. Timekeeper was Tim Thomason and Recording Secretary was Dianne York.   9th Grade Winner: Jimmy Lee – Williams Blvd. Baptist Church, Kenner   10th Grade   Winner: Mary Rudd – … [Read more...]

[img_assist|nid=8168|title=Louisiana Doctoral Graduates|desc=Three students with ties to Louisiana received doctorates from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary May 12. Keith Alan Zachary from Slaughter, La., who serves as senior pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church in Denham Springs, La., received the doctor of ministry degree. Justin M. Langford from Baton Rouge, La., who serves as music minister at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, received the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Cindy Townsend from Flowood, Miss., currently serving as the director of the Global Leadership Institute at Jackson Preparatory School and former director of the Women’s Missions and Ministry at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, received the doctor of educational ministry. Pictured from left to right: Zachary; NOBTS President Chuck Kelley; Langford; and Townsend.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=424] … [Read more...]

by Julie Walters, WMU Communications   NEW ORLEANS – With the theme “The Story Lives On,” Woman’s Missionary Union will hold its Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting June 17–18 in New Orleans.   Missionary testimonies, music led by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary staff and students and theme interpretations by Aaron House and Piercing Word Ministry will highlight the WMU sessions.   “Sharing ideas, learning new ways to be involved in missions, and hearing stories of how God is at work through missions efforts around the world are all a part of these two days in New Orleans,” Wanda Lee, WMU national executive director, said. “Join us to experience it all and find renewal for you and your church in helping equip future missions leaders.”   Featured speakers will include Lee, author of the 2012 WMU emphasis book, “The Story Lives On: God’s Power Throughout Generations”; David Crosby, pastor of First Baptist Church in New Orleans; Jay and Kathy Shafto, International Mission Board field personnel; Damian Emetuche and Stacey Smith, North American Mission Board field personnel; and Debby Akerman, national WMU president.   WMU will meet in the La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom … [Read more...]

By Staff, Baptist Press   [img_assist|nid=8171|title=SmartPhone app|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=427|height=640]NEW ORLEANS (BP) – For the first time, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting this year can stay up to date with an SBC Annual Meeting smartphone app, which will include more than a dozen features, including maps, alerts, the Book of Reports and the Daily Bulletin.   The free app is available for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry users and can be downloaded by visitinghttp://m.core-apps.com/sbc2012am from a smartphone or by typing in “SBC Annual Meeting 2012” in the smartphone’s app store.   Developed by Core-Apps, the app will include:   push alerts that give users up-to-date news, such as changes in the meeting schedule.   a list of exhibitors, including contact information for each exhibitor and the exhibitor’s floor location.   an interactive map of the exhibit hall.   the programs for the SBC Pastors’ Conference and the annual meeting.   an alphabetized list of Pastors’ Conference and annual meeting speakers, including their scheduled speaking time.   PDF versions of the Book of Reports … [Read more...]