Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during which Hobbs revealed he invented the term "soul competency," and Nesom said he has "never seen the term in older works." Brother Nesom wrote he had a private conversation with Herschel Hobbs during which Hobbs revealed he invented the term "soul competency," and Nesom said he has "never seen the term in older works."   But one need look no further then E.Y. Mullins, in The Axioms of Religion (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1908) 73: "These axioms of Christianity grow out of the mother principle for which Baptists have stood through the ages, as set forth, viz, The competency of the soul in religion under God."   The history of the term "soul competency" is less important than the history of the concept. Mullins consistently described the "competency of the soul" as the possibility of a direct and unmediated relationship between the human soul and God (ibid,106 et passim).   Nesom also erred in suggesting that "soul competency" implies all human beings are "spiritually competent." Mullins never thought soul competency precluded the need to be born again: "The subjective principle of … [Read more...]

Okay, the universe was created by God, angels do exist and influence people’s lives, the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings, sin definitely is not an outdated idea - and there is nothing one can do that God cannot forgive. So far, so good as far as what a majority of Americans believe. Okay, the universe was created by God, angels do exist and influence people’s lives, the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings, sin definitely is not an outdated idea - and there is nothing one can do that God cannot forgive. So far, so good as far as what a majority of Americans believe. However, before one begins feeling too good, consider the fact that Americans also tend to believe the devil is merely a symbol of evil, the Holy Spirit is but a symbol of God and the Bible definitely teaches that God helps those who help themselves. Meanwhile, they are pretty well divided on whether they have a responsibility to tell others about religious beliefs, whether Jesus committed sins while on earth, whether it matters what faith one follows and whether a person can get to heaven just by being good. All in all, it is enough to lead one to distraction. Indeed, in reporting the recent research on … [Read more...]

Some six months ago, some 50 years ago - but these 31 couples have chosen to do so again.   No, they are not entering into second marriages. These husbands and wives are recommitting their lives to one another, this time saying, "I still do!"   The couples are renewing their wedding vows in a setting resembling that of a traditional wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church of Kenner. Some six months ago, some 50 years ago - but these 31 couples have chosen to do so again.   No, they are not entering into second marriages. These husbands and wives are recommitting their lives to one another, this time saying, "I still do!"   The couples are renewing their wedding vows in a setting resembling that of a traditional wedding ceremony at First Baptist Church of Kenner.   Representing long-married and newly-married, the 31 couples walk down the aisle arm-in-arm during this Saturday morning service in late June, ready to exchange vows once again.   Pastor Joe McKeever welcomes the couples and their guests with a reminder of the service’s meaning.   "You often need to rededicate or recommit yourself to your Lord," the New Orleans-area pastor says. … [Read more...]

The United States Supreme Court has decided - student led prayer that is part of the public school football game pre-game agenda and broadcast over the public address system has been ruled unconstitutional. The United States Supreme Court has decided - student led prayer that is part of the public school football game pre-game agenda and broadcast over the public address system has been ruled unconstitutional. The expected cries of "throwing God out of schools" have indeed risen across the nation. But people who are concerned about the government meddling in religion would be wise to consider carefully the implications of the ruling. People who want freedom of religion should not expect to have it both ways. They cannot expect government to take a "hands off" position when it best serves their religious purposes, and then expect to have government support their causes when that is beneficial. The problem with this kind of "having it my way both ways" thinking is, "Who decides when it is right for government to sponsor religious activities, and when it is wrong?" Would the majority decide? Would a World Council of Churches kind of board decide? Would the United States president decide? Would a local judge … [Read more...]

The two fishing buddies lived for this day. Retirement arrived and they were ready for celebration.   They get up later than usual and rather than heading to their offices, they turn their boat-towing truck toward the lake.   What a day. No worry about missing work. No worry about catching up tomorrow. No worry about catching fish because they could try again as early as tomorrow. No worry about wives fussing about them fishing because the wives worry more about having them around the houses all day. The two fishing buddies lived for this day. Retirement arrived and they were ready for celebration.   They get up later than usual and rather than heading to their offices, they turn their boat-towing truck toward the lake.   What a day. No worry about missing work. No worry about catching up tomorrow. No worry about catching fish because they could try again as early as tomorrow. No worry about wives fussing about them fishing because the wives worry more about having them around the houses all day.   On their way to their usual fishing lake, they decide they have the time to try another lake they have never found the time to fish. At the fork of the road, they … [Read more...]

Do churches have any reason to fear the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service in this year’s election season for distributing voter guides?   It depends on who one asks.   Neutral guides are not a problem, American Center for Law and Justice leaders insist. Do churches have any reason to fear the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service in this year’s election season for distributing voter guides?   It depends on who one asks.   Neutral guides are not a problem, American Center for Law and Justice leaders insist.   Churches should beware, an Americans United for Separation of Church and State official counters.   What is not in question is that the issue is one that must be taken seriously. For instance, a recent Internal Revenue Service memorandum to tax-exempt organizations warned churches and other charities to be careful about their education efforts during this fall’s campaigns.   Organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the tax code "are prohibited from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office," the memo said. "These organizations cannot … [Read more...]

Their tee-shirts were not the ones one might expect to see at the recent CollegeWorld Series in Omaha, Nebraska.   But then, they were not there just for the games, which Louisiana State University eventually won. Their tee-shirts were not the ones one might expect to see at the recent CollegeWorld Series in Omaha, Nebraska.   But then, they were not there just for the games, which Louisiana State University eventually won.   Wearing brightly colored tee-shirts with "For Me to Live is Christ" on one side and "Christ First and Then There is Baseball" across the back, Brady Miller and Chad Robertson stood in the shadows of Rosenblatt Stadium during the College World Series handing out Christian sports magazines and free bottled water.   The two Baton Rouge teenagers asked a man heading to the game if he wanted a free gift. "I did not come here to get Jesus," the man muttered. "I came here for baseball and beer, that’s all."   He may not have wanted to hear about Jesus, but he was forced to think about Jesus, says Kipp Smith, youth minister at Zoar Baptist Church in Baton Rouge. Smith and his group of 30 students and 12 adults were part of a much larger group … [Read more...]

Music. Games. Activities. This is church for today’s kids - if a church uses the TeamKID resource. Never fear - the program is not without a purpose. Indeed, it is focused on teaching and reinforcing biblical truths. And it is growing. Music. Games. Activities. This is church for today’s kids - if a church uses the TeamKID resource. Never fear - the program is not without a purpose. Indeed, it is focused on teaching and reinforcing biblical truths. And it is growing. TeamKID has become a widely-used resource in Southern Baptist churches since its introduction six years ago. The program is distributed by Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. It uses recreation-based curriculum to teach children basic Biblical concepts and comes in children’s and preschool editions. Although it originally was designed for churches to use as an after school program, TeamKID often is used for Discipleship Training and other events as well. It has expanded from 36 to 52 weekly lessons since its inception in 1994 and teaches lessons surrounding a main theme. TeamKID teachers are called coaches. They lead students through a five-part meeting that lasts for 90 minutes - warm-up (opening activities), … [Read more...]

When it comes to personal finances, management, experts agree that the keys to sound practice and escape from debt are simple - use some common sense and follow the motto found on U.S. money   Editor’s Note: The following is a true account of a Southern Baptist pastor and his wife. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the couple. When it comes to personal finances, management, experts agree that the keys to sound practice and escape from debt are simple - use some common sense and follow the motto found on U.S. money   Editor’s Note: The following is a true account of a Southern Baptist pastor and his wife. The names have been changed to protect the privacy of the couple.   A Southern Baptist pastor and his wife have learned a painful lesson - "What you believe about finances and your future either frees you or keeps you in bondage."   They learned the lesson the hard way - by experience.   Sarah and Joe consider themselves a fairly typical ministry couple. They are 30-something and have children. Thus far, three pastorates have provided average salaries and benefits.   "I wouldn’t consider us a couple ready to jump off a bridge, … [Read more...]

It is a world few Westerners can imagine - and one that has not made national or international headlines. But it is real - and it is brutal. Indeed, incidents of rape, pillage and murder at the hands of a warring tribal group known as the Kiramajong are commonplace these days in four provinces of northern Uganda. It is a world few Westerners can imagine - and one that has not made national or international headlines. But it is real - and it is brutal. Indeed, incidents of rape, pillage and murder at the hands of a warring tribal group known as the Kiramajong are commonplace these days in four provinces of northern Uganda.   Upwards of 200,000 Iteso people have fled their homes in order to escape the recent outbreak of violence. Some of the people have lost their cattle at the hands of the tribal group. Some have lost their possessions. Some have lost loved ones.   Where the raiders used to carry spears, they are now armed with AK-47 assault rifles. Many villagers have fled to makeshift refugee camps established by the Ugandan government.   Along the 30-mile dirt road to Katakwi, capital of the district by the same name, trucks transport cattle to market. Villagers sell their … [Read more...]