Another Five-Views Book
Multiple-views books have become a bit of a fad. The format lends itself to comparison and contrast, allowing readers to weigh and judge the evidence… Read More »Another Five-Views Book
Kevin T. Bauder
Kevin T. Bauder is Research Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Not every one of the professors, students, or alumni of Central Seminary necessarily agrees with every opinion that this post expresses.
Pastors As Teachers
Pastors (that is to say, bishops or elders) are supposed to rule. That proposition is hardly controversial, for the New Testament repeatedly depicts the office… Read More »Pastors As Teachers
Pastoral Leadership Through Prayer
The role of pastor has been recast during the past generation. Some churches envision their pastors as corporate CEOs. Others view their pastors as impresarios.… Read More »Pastoral Leadership Through Prayer
Pastoral Example As Pastoral Authority
Pastors have authority—real authority, given to them by the Lord Jesus Christ. They have a duty to exert their authority and to employ it as… Read More »Pastoral Example As Pastoral Authority
The Crisis of Pastoral Authority
Over the past few weeks I have spent a good bit of time writing about congregational authority. I have tried to show how the New… Read More »The Crisis of Pastoral Authority
Bishops and Fathers
Debates over congregationalism and elder rule usually end up, sooner or later, at 1 Timothy 3:4-5. In these verses, Paul states that a bishop must… Read More »Bishops and Fathers
Finished and Sent Away
I’ll never forget the feeling, years ago, of sending my daughter to kindergarten on the first day. It was a milestone, to be sure, and… Read More »Finished and Sent Away
Acts 6 and Church Decisions
Some people believe that church government, and particularly church decisions, ought to be in the hands of one or more elders rather than the congregation.… Read More »Acts 6 and Church Decisions
Elders Rule! But Congregations Decide
Those who think that churches should be governed by a self-perpetuating boards of elders have two main arguments. The first is that the sheep (i.e.,… Read More »Elders Rule! But Congregations Decide
Belly Laugh: A Brief Digression
Every now and then comes an unexpected gift. Not a gift like a check in the mail with lots of numbers before the decimal point,… Read More »Belly Laugh: A Brief Digression
Who Selected Elders?
Years ago I saw a book of trivia in which could be found the assertion that the United States has never
Did They Vote?
The name Baptist stands for a set of principles and practices. Those who use the name are attempting to copy the order of the New… Read More »Did They Vote?
Minnesota Winter
Temperatures have plummeted to near-record lows in the Twin Cities during the past couple of weeks. Wind chills have reached the fifties below zero, with… Read More »Minnesota Winter
The Most Important Stories of 2013
Many periodicals make a New Year’s tradition of summarizing the most important stories of the past year. That tradition has never been followed by In… Read More »The Most Important Stories of 2013
Incarnation
Little child, look on me— What can Thy newborn eyes see? Dost Thou recognize a man Fashioned by Thine ancient plan? Infant that Thou hast… Read More »Incarnation
Shall We Observe Holidays?
This essay was originally published during the Easter season, but it applies equally to celebrations of Advent and Christmas. Today (the day upon which I… Read More »Shall We Observe Holidays?
The purpose of Advent
This post is excerpted from “A Deliberate Choice.” December is for Advent. Historically, Christians have begun their reflections upon the incarnation, not by celebrating it,… Read More »The purpose of Advent
Humanism and the Incarnation
These days humanism is often equated with secularism or human autonomy from the divine. Originally, however, the term was used to designate the celebration of… Read More »Humanism and the Incarnation
A Deliberate Choice
Oh, what an embarrassment of riches! Rarely have so many topics presented themselves at one time for consideration through this publication, and rarely have I… Read More »A Deliberate Choice
Cessationism: What Counts As Evidence?
Christians ought to desire everything that God has in store for them. It would be wrong to neglect any good and perfect gift that God… Read More »Cessationism: What Counts As Evidence?