Why ‘a Long Obedience in the Same Direction’ Is Necessary in Ministry

1776 Project: “although the argument for less ideologically driven historical education could not come at a more critical moment, the report is a missed opportunity to make it.” - Commentary

“Many Christian leaders and thinkers decried the attack on the Capitol, but few went as far as Moore; he laid the blame squarely at the feet of a man many evangelicals believe to be their hero” - Time

“Wednesday’s critical statement of Biden from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops put a spotlight on the fractured episcopacy in the country.” - RNS

“135 civil rights organizations signed an open letter to Congress on Tuesday urging them not to expand terrorism-related authority.” - Fox

Related…

What should we do when the wicked prosper?

Like most of you, I’m deeply concerned with a lot that’s taking place in our country. Godless ideologies are rapidly becoming mainstream as wicked people in powerful positions of influence relentlessly advance their agendas. Those who try to resist are marginalized or “cancelled.” The alarming success of the wicked cannot be ignored. It’s reshaping our culture, worldview, relationships, and freedoms. One can only imagine what might be on the horizon if the wicked continue to prosper in their endeavors.

“It seems in nearly every circle of people I am a part of, there is a palpable anxiousness right now….This is the problem with us as well. Our fears arise when we have forgotten who He is. That He’s so much bigger than whatever is worrying us. We must remind ourselves.” - Diane Heeney

“Thinking carefully about how we answer questions is not capitulation to compromise or fear. The apostle Paul sometimes positioned himself as a faithful Jew contending for the resurrection when he was before Roman authorities. In other moments he took on skeptical philosophers, using their own literature to evangelize.” - TGC

“In some corners, ‘Christian Nationalism’ is used as a synecdoche to dispense with anything unpopular about Christianity. If one does not like something about Christianity—say, its teaching on sexuality and family relations—just accuse it of self-serving power-seeking, and it can be discredited.” - Public Discourse

“Of course, our churches do need to grow. They do need to become holier and healthier. Paul knew this. Repentance mattered to him. Just ask the Corinthians. But what first grabbed Paul’s attention when he thought about that rowdy, discriminatory congregation in Corinth? God’s grace (1 Cor. 1:4–9).” - 9 Marks

Pluralism is a chimera unless the people have some shared epistemological foundation from which to argue, even if that foundation is something as generic as a Christian-ish deism.

“I would like to provide a succinct description and biblical evaluation of CT by addressing four questions: May Christians use systems of thought that do not come from Scripture? What is CT? Is CT compatible with Scripture? Does CT help resolve racism?” - Scott Aniol

Have you heard about the Great Reset?

Well, you may not have heard of it, but its leaders certainly have an incredibly intricate plan for you and your future.

The Reset has been designed by the World Economic Forum for a number of years, and the term has been used specifically since at least 2017.¹ The WEF was also preparing for “a very severe pandemic” since at least October of 2019.²

“As it appears Missouri has become the first state since the Roe v. Wade decision to virtually eliminate abortions, Baptists are celebrating while preparing for more battles ahead.” - BPNews

“In 2015… two Princeton economists, Anne Case and Angus Deaton, released a study documenting the frightening rise of “deaths of despair” among white non-college-educated Americans, showing even a decrease of life expectancy driven by alcoholism, drug abuse, and suicide.” - N.Review

“…for believers to use protective measures is not an indicator of fear but of wisdom. Using an umbrella when it’s raining or a coat when it’s cold doesn’t mean that you do not believe that our Lord can heal pneumonia.” - BJUToday

“Since 1994 Litton has been pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Ala. – known as North Mobile Baptist Church until 2014…. has also served in numerous roles in SBC denominational leadership, including the Resolutions Committee, Committee on Committees, as president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference and on the boards of various seminaries.” - BPNews

“Some sins are small and easy. We stop and walk the other way. Some sins, like the bicycle, are a little more difficult. … there is the process of coming to a stop, the process of the turn itself, and the process of getting up to speed in faithfulness. But some sins are enormous…. God works patiently with us, carefully slowing us down, as the captain does with the ship…” - Ligonier

Election is a divisive issue, and so is damnation.

Are you Arminian on these particular points? Do you tend to believe that groups are elected, but not individuals within those groups?

Do you believe in predestination of the saved (election) and preterition of the lost (they are merely passed over), or do you believe in double election?

Or are you unsettled, or perhaps hold a viewpoint not listed? All comments are welcome, but if you hold another viewpoint, please (very briefly) explain what that might be.

“No aborted babies are contained in our COVID-19 vaccines and no babies have been aborted for the purpose of developing or manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines.” - Adrian Warnock

“…modern politics needs to be cloaked in religious language in order to carry the necessary gravitas. The end result is that theology becomes the handmaiden of political agendas. In turn, patriotism becomes one and the same with Christianity for so many. Among the multitude of factors that have given rise to this fact in the United States is the combination of American exceptionalism and Dispensationalist theology.” - Ref21

“…this was not the kind of blessing promised by the Prosperity Gospel, the wealth and health and success that many people think of in connection to being blessed.” - Veith

“We’re all for ethics, all for kindness, all for grace, when we’re the potential victim. But when grace is called for from us, we want to live by the loopholes. In this instance, you see, it’s different. No. It’s not.” - Olinger

“…we have crossed a line from lone paranoid nuts to larger groups, who are starting to communicate with each other, all with an interconnected belief system.” - Geraghty

Ramsey’s intolerance for dissent has created what former employees call a cultlike environment.

By Diane Scallon

Did you know that practicing gratitude can rewire your brain? Yes, the brain, this amazing creation of God, can be rewired! Gratitude is a heart change that leads to behavioral change, ultimately improving your physical, mental, and spiritual health and even cultivating a delight for life.

Pastor Mark Minnick preached a very helpful message yesterday morning that provides solid biblical perspective and instruction on how believers should go forward in 2021 after what has transpired in our country in 2020 and 2021:

How Jesus Christ Responded to Conspirators


“The annual event is asking participants to ‘stay home’ for the first time since Roe v. Wade.” - CToday

Related: 2021 March for Life moves to virtual event

“James Meikle beautifully tells us in these words. ‘Why so much complaint of death? It is true, death is the fruit of sin, for by sin, death came into the world. But it is also true, that death is the finisher of sin to the godly—for by death sin shall be cast out forever.’” - Challies

“Race horses run fast, dazzle audiences, win awards, and then retire to stud. A plow horse lives in a barn if he’s lucky and walks the same furrows every day…. Both of them are horses, but they could not be more different in their daily lives. To turn the analogy to pastors…” - SBC Voices