Christian writer Philip Yancey recently wrote a timely article about the relationship between political leaders and church leaders (“A Tale of Five Herods,” Christianity Today, January 2007.) It is timely because of the political electioneering we all will be facing over the next several months. Editor’s note: This column first appeared in the March 1 issue of the Baptist Message. It appears, by popular demand, again in this patriotic issue. Christian writer Philip Yancey recently wrote a timely article about the relationship between political leaders and church leaders (“A Tale of Five Herods,” Christianity Today, January 2007.) It is timely because of the political electioneering we all will be facing over the next  several months. Yancey noted the temptation among some Christians to “long for access to political power.” He reminds us of the “relative” importance of politics when compared to eternal matters and provides us a warning against too much jostling for a place at the political table. The article illustrates the point by outlining the role of the five Herodian rulers in New Testament events, from Herod the Great to Herod Agrippa II. None of them turned out to be a friend of the gospel. Yancey rightly … [Read more...]

”Make Thee An Ark.” So instructs the Lord God in Genesis 6:14. ”Make Thee An Ark.” So instructs the Lord God in Genesis 6:14. Though I’m sure the Lord Jehovah performed daily miracles, can you imagine the Herculean task Noah had to undertake once he began building that boat? In the “Bruce Almighty” sequel, Evan Almighty, which opened June 22,  the new Noah quickly learns that we shouldn’t ask God to help us change the world unless we’re willing to take on the mission. It’s a movie and is meant to entertain – not instruct, proselytize, or signal the end is near. Indeed, according to star Steve Carell, “Evan Almighty is simply meant to be funny.” But one of director Tom Shadyac’s strengths as a comic filmmaker (Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar) is that he realizes the best way to ridicule man’s folly is by setting man’s goals alongside biblical principles and principals. Carell reprises his role of newscaster Evan Baxter, but now the self-involved news anchor has become a freshman congressman and moved his family to suburban Virginia. Having lived a selfish life where he expresses who he is through possessions and position, Evan suddenly realizes that there is more to life than his little world. It dawns on him … [Read more...]

Recent polls from Cornell University and Barna Research note that only one out of 10 children keep the faith and values of their parents. Recent polls from Cornell University and Barna Research note that only one out of 10 children keep the faith and values of their parents.  Other studies have shown that it is because parents are not engaged in teaching their children cultural wisdom. The mass media is teaching children their values, and even when these values are not inflaming lust, greed, violence, ambivalence and envy, they are undermining Christian values. And, too often, the church and its associates such as Christian magazines, radio and television are promoting media that undermines true faith and values. Much has been said about post-Christian culture. Europe is a sad example. There are more Muslims in Europe than there are Protestant Christians. Why does this matter? If we truly love our neighbor, then we do not want him or her lost forever. According to surveys, fewer and fewer children understand this. Although we don’t want to be hard on the film characters Bruce and Evan, it is clear that the view of salvation and the view of God presented in the movies Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty do not … [Read more...]

God’s Word cautions us to serve the Lord “from the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” (Galatians 6:5-6) God’s Word cautions us to serve the Lord “from the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.” (Galatians 6:5-6) Something about His servants being “men-pleasers” is repugnant to our Lord. “No man can serve two masters,” as Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. This may be what got me out of the bed in the middle of the night recently to jot down the makings of a cartoon. Since I frequently pray for the Holy Spirit to lead me regarding the cartoons – giving me ideas, blessing the execution, guiding in the way they are received and how they are distributed – this one, I believe, was directly from the throne. It’s as pointed and on the mark as any I’ve ever done. – From www.joemckeever.com Read “One Church In 10” for entire message The pastor is at his desk, addressing a group of stern-faced official-looking church members in his office. He says, “I’m sorry to hear that the church is unhappy with my … [Read more...]

When President George W. Bush vetoed a bill June 20 that would have provided federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Mike and Nicole Bell of Traverse City, Mich., were among those Americans rejoicing. TRAVERSE CITY Mich. (BP) – When President George W. Bush vetoed a bill June 20 that would have provided federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Mike and Nicole Bell of Traverse City, Mich., were among those Americans rejoicing. The Bells have two children, 17-month-old twins Michael and Paige, born via a relatively new method called embryo adoption. Michael and Paige once were so-called leftover embryos, stored frozen in a lab – the same type of embryos many scientists want to use for research. They very well could still be there, if not for Mike and Nicole. “They were orphans in a different sense of the word,” Nicole, 35, told Baptist Press. “Embryos are not just cells. They’re little people. “We are opposed to embryonic stem cell research but we are in favor of other types of stem cell research – adult stem cells, [umbilical] cord blood stem cells. I wish the general public would understand that more, and that’s part of why we are involved in this, trying to get the word out.” The Bells adopted … [Read more...]

President George W. Bush’s latest veto of a funding bill for embryonic stem cell research received the expected divided reaction – foes of the destructive experimentation applauded his action while supporters assailed it.  WASHINGTON (BP) – President George W. Bush’s latest veto of a funding bill for embryonic stem cell research received the expected divided reaction – foes of the destructive experimentation applauded his action while supporters assailed it. Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act for the second time in less than a year June 20, reinforcing his commitment to block federal funds from being used in research that kills human embryos. The president also announced at a White House ceremony he had signed an executive order to encourage the government’s attempts to underwrite ethical stem cell studies. “Like millions of other Americans, I am extremely grateful that we have a president who understands the sanctity of every human life,” said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. “He understands that destroying human life in the hope of saving other human life is a moral line we must not cross as a nation. The president ‘gets it.’ I hope that … [Read more...]

Located in the southwestern part of the state, this association spans all of Beaurgard Parish and a western portion of Allen Parish. BEAUREGARD BAPTIST ASSOCIATION — Located in the southwestern part of the state, this association spans all of Beaurgard Parish and a western portion of Allen Parish. It also borders Texas on the west. DeRidder, the biggest city in Beauregard Parish, had a population of more than 23,000 people, according to the U.S. Census 2000 data; the parish as a whole had a population of almost 33,000.  The Beauregard Association’s eastern border in Allen Parish falls just short of the Allen Parish seat, Oberlin. Oakdale, another larger city in Allen Parish, is further east of the border as well, so that the majority of the parish that is included in the association is primarily rural. “I’ve come to appreciate what it means when you see a log truck with logs,” said Beauregard Director of Missions Don Hunt about one of the major local industries. “I never appreciated the industry until I understood what the products are doing across our nation.” The association itself has a deep sense of history rooted among the piney woods, the DOM said, especially since it is home to some of the state’s oldest … [Read more...]

Don Hunt, director of missions for the Beauregard Baptist Association, learned more than he ever expected as a student at Louisiana College in the late 1960s, he said. It was at LC that Hunt began to learn about God’s provision. DERIDDER – Don Hunt, director of missions for the Beauregard Baptist Association, learned more than he ever expected as a student at Louisiana College in the late 1960s, he said. It was at LC that Hunt began to learn about God’s provision.  Feeling the call to preach at 18, Hunt wanted to attend LC, but as one of 11 children, he knew funds were tight, he said. However, encouraged by his church, First Baptist, Lake Charles, Hunt applied for financial aid and enrolled. “When the final bill for close to $2,000 came at the end of the first semester, I had no way to pay it,” Hunt said. With the bill and final exams – which he couldn’t take until the bill was paid – hanging over his head, Hunt had a prayer meeting in his dorm asking that God would provide a way for him. That was on a Friday. On Monday, with the bill still unpaid, he went to the business office intending to resign from college. When a worker pulled his records, she discovered that Hunt’s bill had, in fact, been paid in full. … [Read more...]

A book published in April 2007 reflects almost a half century of reflection and study on my part concerning an issue that matters deeply to me as an American Christian deeply committed to the Baptist faith tradition. A book published in April 2007 reflects almost a half century of reflection and study on my part concerning an issue that matters deeply to me as an American Christian deeply committed to the Baptist faith tradition. The issue is religious freedom, and the book is The Divided States of America? What Liberals AND Conservatives Are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match! One issue discussed in the book that has generated considerable interest and response is my attempt to identify and analyze three major perspectives, or models, regarding religious expression in the public square in American society. Avoidance First, there are those Americans, particularly those on the left, who have adopted a position of avoidance. They assert that things pertaining to religion have no place in the public square. They oppose manger scenes or other religious displays on government property, such as courthouse lawns, and believe students’ rights to exercise their faith should be restricted in the school house, … [Read more...]

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention that is dedicated to addressing social and moral concerns and their implications on public policy issues from City Hall to Congress. The SBC is the largest non-Catholic denomination in the country with over 16 million members. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention that is dedicated to addressing social and moral concerns and their implications on public policy issues from City Hall to Congress. The SBC is the largest non-Catholic denomination in the country with over 16 million members. With offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., the ERLC’s impact stretches from homes across the nation to the White House. Through its groundbreaking, nationally syndicated radio programs and its issues oriented publications, the ERLC provides millions of Americans with information vital to preserving the soul and spirit that makes the United States the greatest nation in history. The ERLC Vision An American society that affirms and practices Judeo-Christian values rooted in biblical authority. The ERLC Mission To awaken, inform, energize, equip, and mobilize … [Read more...]