Events Around Central Seminary
The new school year has been underway for just over a month. So far it’s been a good year for Central Seminary. The Lord has… Read More »Events Around Central Seminary
In the Nick of Time
The Heart and Outward Appearances
In any political campaign, some politicians would like to reduce policy statements to slogans and soundbites. Soundbites, however, admit no qualifications or nuancing. They resist… Read More »The Heart and Outward Appearances
Loud Clanging Cymbals
In the last issue, I wrote about a speaker who deviated from his topic to deliver certain remarks—apparently extemporaneously—in defense of contemporized worship. I am… Read More »Loud Clanging Cymbals
A New Song?
It is possible to disagree with people whom we respect. I had that experience earlier this year when I heard a speaker try to defend… Read More »A New Song?
Reading to Understand Conservatism
The current political season has revealed that many avowed conservatives are less driven by ideas than they are by resentment and ambition. The turn from… Read More »Reading to Understand Conservatism
What Seminary Gave Me
In June of 1979 my wife and I left Cambridge, Iowa for seminary in Denver, Colorado. We were towing a fully-loaded twelve-foot U-Haul trailer with… Read More »What Seminary Gave Me
A Colorful Life
Every once in a while God sends a person into our lives whom He uses as a means of grace. A person like that is… Read More »A Colorful Life
Indefensible Dispensationalism 2
In the last issue of In the Nick of Time I suggested that one of the reasons for the decline of dispensational theology is the… Read More »Indefensible Dispensationalism 2
Indefensible Dispensationalism
Dispensational theology has gone out of style. Fifty years ago, probably a majority of American evangelicals held some version of dispensationalism. Today, the balance has… Read More »Indefensible Dispensationalism
On Civil Disobedience
The year was 1986. Even though Ronald Reagan was in his second term, abortion-on-demand remained big business in every state. That was when Randall Terry… Read More »On Civil Disobedience
Perry Noble’s Missed Opportunity
Jeff Straub The fall of mega-church pastor Perry Noble has stunned the evangelical world. Noble founded and pastored NewSpring Church of Anderson, SC, for 18… Read More »Perry Noble’s Missed Opportunity
The MBA 2016
Baptist churches in America organized their first local association (the Philadelphia Association) in 1707. That group soon grew to include congregations all the way from… Read More »The MBA 2016
A Plea for a Three-Year Master of Divinity, Part Two
Jeff Straub Last week, I began a discussion on the trend to combine college and seminary education into a shortened five- or six-year program. By… Read More »A Plea for a Three-Year Master of Divinity, Part Two
A Plea for a Three-Year Master of Divinity, Part One
Jeff Straub It has become a bit trendy in recent days to pare down the M.Div. degree to something much less than the traditional 96… Read More »A Plea for a Three-Year Master of Divinity, Part One
Central Seminary Receives ATS Accreditation
Meeting in Pittsburgh, the Board of Commissioners of the Association of Theological Schools voted to grant candidate status to Central Seminary on June 17. Central… Read More »Central Seminary Receives ATS Accreditation
Reflections on the 96th Annual Meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International
Jeff Straub Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the annual meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, held in the beautiful facilities of… Read More »Reflections on the 96th Annual Meeting of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International
Summer Reading: Time for a Change of Pace
Jeff Straub In last week’s Nick, Kevin mentioned some of the books that he had read during the past twelve months. I thought I might… Read More »Summer Reading: Time for a Change of Pace
Best Reading of 2015–2016
It’s been years since I’ve done a “best reading” list. I hesitate because my reading habits are admittedly odd. Most people wouldn’t enjoy following my… Read More »Best Reading of 2015–2016
On Accusation and Rebuke
A bishop has to meet stringent personal qualifications, the broadest of which is that he must be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3:2). Of course, blameless does… Read More »On Accusation and Rebuke
Weep With Those Who Weep
Jeff Straub Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is a “time to weep.” If ever there was a time for weeping in our independent Baptist… Read More »Weep With Those Who Weep