I’m OK With This
The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International is giving thoughtful fundamentalists an occasion to reflect upon our principles. It is also giving an occasion for thoughtless critics… Read More »I’m OK With This
In the Nick of Time
Changing Doctrine
When I was a sophomore in high school my father was a student in Bible college. One Sunday he was sent to preach at a… Read More »Changing Doctrine
The Teaching Office
The clear prescription of the New Testament is that pastors are teachers of churches. To put it more precisely, pastors are the teachers of their… Read More »The Teaching Office
Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort
Pastors who want to lead biblically find themselves caught in a bit of a paradox. One side of the paradox is that biblical pastors must… Read More »Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort
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
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
Drinking, Cheeseburgers, and Marijuana?
Recently, Pastor Michael Harding of First Baptist Church of Troy, Michigan was invited to debate the issue of Christians and beverage alcohol on a Moody… Read More »Drinking, Cheeseburgers, and Marijuana?
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