By Michael B. Shepherd, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Louisiana College   Bible teachers and preachers feel an incredible amount of pressure to make the Bible relevant and practical. For many, a Bible lesson or sermon is a failure unless it comes complete with a set of instructions or list of things to do.   Every verse or paragraph of the Bible must have three or four such applications whether or not the biblical author himself makes them explicit.   The danger, of course, is that those who hear this kind of Bible teaching leave with the impression that the application produced by the teacher/preacher is the word of God when in fact it is the biblical text that constitutes the word of God.   The problem begins with an overly simplistic hermeneutical approach that pastors usually learn in their seminary training. They are told that the first step in interpretation is to determine what the biblical text meant to the original readers.   The second step is to determine what the text means today, which is application. In other words, their task is to contextualize the Bible to the readers.   But this approach overlooks the clues within the biblical text that … [Read more...]

By Archie England, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at NOBTS   Question: In what way does, A little with righteousness is better than a lot of gain without justice (Proverbs 16:8), impact our contemporary assessment of capitalism or socialism?   Archie England responds: Proverbs 16:8 focuses on the individual’s responsibility in the arena of social justice. The “haves” must recognize and address the needs (not wants) of the “have-nots.” This verse informs us that a little is better than a lot when the little is maintained by a righteous lifestyle. It also presses the metaphor that having an abundance (a lot of gain) is not worth the trouble when it is associated with injustice. Doing what’s right always trumps having more.   In other words, social justice demands citizens recognize, respond, and take care of the needs of those less fortunate. Socialists typically equate this with welfare, which then functions as a necessary, and fair, (re)distribution of wealth. Some further press Acts 2:44-45 as a New Testament affirmation of this, as well. This derives from the idea that wealth is intended to be generously shared.   Proverbs 16, however, doesn’t affirm the distribution or sharing … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   TALISHEEK – When Julieto “Lito” Magbanua saw the stunning disappearance of God’s work in Talisheek, his broken heart knew God had led him there for a reason.   Led by Magbanua, Light by the Lake Church not only reaches out to the community of Talisheek, but it also preaches the Gospel to the Filipino and Asian communities in Louisiana while stretching across three states and a number of metropolitan areas.   “It had broken my heart to see the ministry just stop in Talisheek, and I knew we had to do something for God there,” the pastor said.  “Likewise, the Filipinos and Asians in this state must not be neglected either, and we must also be active in other places as well.”   Magbanua and the people of his church typically preach the Gospel to others through house meetings held on “any given Sunday or Saturday.”  They gather in the living room of someone’s house and sing and share prayer items.   “Usually, me or somebody else will open the Bible and share the Word of God, and then we pray,” the pastor said.  “Somebody will then bring in some refreshments or bring us to the kitchen, where we’ll have a meal. Typically, we have three to … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   TALISHEEK – When Julieto “Lito” Magbanua saw the stunning disappearance of God’s work in Talisheek, his broken heart knew God had led him there for a reason.   Led by Magbanua, Light by the Lake Church not only reaches out to the community of Talisheek, but it also preaches the Gospel to the Filipino and Asian communities in Louisiana while stretching across three states and a number of metropolitan areas.   “It had broken my heart to see the ministry just stop in Talisheek, and I knew we had to do something for God there,” the pastor said.  “Likewise, the Filipinos and Asians in this state must not be neglected either, and we must also be active in other places as well.”   Magbanua and the people of his church typically preach the Gospel to others through house meetings held on “any given Sunday or Saturday.”  They gather in the living room of someone’s house and sing and share prayer items.   “Usually, me or somebody else will open the Bible and share the Word of God, and then we pray,” the pastor said.  “Somebody will then bring in some refreshments or bring us to the kitchen, where we’ll have a meal. Typically, we have three to … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere, Message Staff Writer   TALISHEEK – When Julieto “Lito” Magbanua saw the stunning disappearance of God’s work in Talisheek, his broken heart knew God had led him there for a reason.   Led by Magbanua, Light by the Lake Church not only reaches out to the community of Talisheek, but it also preaches the Gospel to the Filipino and Asian communities in Louisiana while stretching across three states and a number of metropolitan areas.   “It had broken my heart to see the ministry just stop in Talisheek, and I knew we had to do something for God there,” the pastor said.  “Likewise, the Filipinos and Asians in this state must not be neglected either, and we must also be active in other places as well.”   Magbanua and the people of his church typically preach the Gospel to others through house meetings held on “any given Sunday or Saturday.”  They gather in the living room of someone’s house and sing and share prayer items.   “Usually, me or somebody else will open the Bible and share the Word of God, and then we pray,” the pastor said.  “Somebody will then bring in some refreshments or bring us to the kitchen, where we’ll have a meal. Typically, we have three to … [Read more...]

By Don Hinkle, Missouri Pathway   JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP) – A leader in Southern Baptist Convention and state convention life has been elected the 20th executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention.[img_assist|nid=7680|title=John Yeats|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=79|height=100]   John Yeats, 61, the recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention and the director of communications and public policy for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, was elected with a vote of 34 yes, 3 no, and 1 abstention during a special called meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board Oct. 13.   “My wife Sharon and I are deeply honored to be a part of what God is doing in the midst of Missouri Baptists,” Yeats said following a question-and-answer session with the board and their subsequent vote. “After much prayer and fasting, we are convinced that the Lord has placed an extraordinary opportunity before us.   “Over the course of the next few months, I purpose to pray a lot, ask a lot of questions and speak with many Missouri Baptist leaders in the churches and associations. Our hope is that over the course of our years of service, a culture of connectedness will emerge that … [Read more...]

By Staff, LBC Communications   ALEXANDRIA – This year’s annual meeting of the Louisiana Baptist Convention is to take place Nov. 14-15 at First Baptist Church of Covington. In order for a church to participate in the business of the convention, they will need to elect messenger(s) to represent them.   People elected by their respective church are then able to register as messengers and participate in the business of the convention.   The Credentials Committee oversees the registration process for the annual meeting. Joe Alain, LBC Credentials Committee chairman, announces there are five ways messengers may be certified to participate and vote at this year’s annual convention.   The first and simplest way is for messengers to pre-register using the LBC online program, print out their registration card, and bring the card to the annual meeting, Alain said. Pre-registration in this way allows messengers to be certified within a matter of minutes.   Second, if messengers have not pre-registered, bringing a letter from their church on church letterhead stating that they are elected messengers will allow them to register and be certified to vote.   Third, a church officer … [Read more...]

By Quinn Lavespere and Karen Willoughby, Baptist Message   WALKER – Victory Baptist Church is the latest in a continuing string of churches built by Louisiana Baptist Builders.[img_assist|nid=7683|title=Victory Walker|desc=A volunteer uses a drum roller to pack the dirt for the foundation of Victory Baptist Church. Victory Walker is one of three churches in Louisiana being built by volunteers through LBC Mission Builders.|link=none|align=right|width=640|height=424]   Jeff Woodrich coordinates the efforts as Louisiana Baptist Convention’s mission church builder strategist. The construction team formed in 1980 has to date built more than 400 churches in Louisiana with volunteers led by Mission Service Corps construction missionaries.   “Just in the last few months, banks are willing to loan money to churches again,” Woodrich said, referring to the effects of an anemic economy. “It’s all starting to come around.”   Victory Walker, where Fred Dyess is founding pastor, is one of three churches at or near construction in Louisiana that are being built by volunteers through LBC Mission Builders. The other two are Teche Baptist Church in Breaux Bridge, and Watson Baptist Church in … [Read more...]

By Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message Editor   PINEVILLE – Louisiana College football is off to its best start in the history of the program.[img_assist|nid=7685|title=One tough Cat|desc=Peter Ford, who had 5 tackles in Saturday’s historic 56-21 win over Sul Ross State, and the LC defense limited their opponets to just 135 yards rushing in the game.|link=none|align=left|width=70|height=100]   The Wildcats 56-21 win over Sul Ross State University of Alpine, Texas, at home on Saturday, Oct. 22, lifted LC’s season record to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the American Southwest Conference.   LC’s most recent win was the Wildcats’ third in a row following a road loss to the number four ranked NCAA Division III team in the nation and conference foe University of Mary Hardin Baylor of Belton, Texas.   LC fell to UMHB 36-10 on Oct. 1.   Despite the loss LC has remained in the top 25 since entering the poll on Sept. 25. Currently the Wildcats are ranked number 21 in the D3football.com poll and are number 24 in the American Football Coaches Association poll. There are 238 teams that compete in football in NCAA Division III.   LC bounced back from the loss to UMHB with a hard-fought 31-24 … [Read more...]

By Tobey Pittman, Crossover Cordinator   NORTHSHORE – Here is an update on Crossover Northshore. Volunteers are needed for three major venues, which we view as regional, and several local outreach opportunities that will touch particular communities within the shadow of some of our churches.   All events are to take place on Saturday, Nov. 12, unless otherwise stated.   STAMPEDE RODEO   Volunteers are needed (60 to 80) at the Fairgrounds in Franklinton as the gospel is shared through the excitement and competition of a “barrels, ropes, and bulls” rodeo.   An evangelistic message – The Sermon on the “Mount – will be shared at the rodeo.   This event will be totally free, attracting about 2,000 people. Volunteers are needed for parking cars, registration, one-on-one evangelism, spotters, and stock handlers. Orientation is at 1 p.m. The rodeo is to start at 6 p.m.   HISPANIC HEALTH FAIR   First Baptist Church of Slidell is to be the host site as six Hispanic congregations in the Northshore region partner to conduct a health fair.   The health fair will feature simple screenings such as blood sugar, blood pressures, body mass, and … [Read more...]