The Top Blog Posts of the Week

This is a list of recent blog posts which we found interesting. That we found them interesting doesn’t mean we necessarily agree with or endorse the ideas presented in the posts, but that we found them to be intriguing and thought-provoking. (They are listed in no particular order of interest). Please post your comments to discuss  any article that strikes your interest. If you have recent blog posts to nominate, please send the link to [email protected].

About the SBC

“What Makes Us ‘Southern Baptist’?” by Brad Whitt on his blog, identifying three major cornerstones of what he deems to be essential to a Southern Baptist identity.
http://bradwhitt.com/2011/05/what-makes-us-southern-baptist

“A Rose by Any Other Name:  It’s Time to Drop the Name ‘Southern” from the SBC Name,” by Dave Miller in the SBC Impact blog, with Miller’s arguments for changing the name of the SBC.
http://sbcimpact.org/2010/01/20/a-rose-by-any-other-name-its-time-to-drop-southern-from-the-sbc/

“The One World Missions Ministry: IMB and NAMB Officially Joined in Marriage or Just Engaged?” by Peter Lumpkins in the SBC Tomorrow blog, expressing concerns about rewording the IMB and NAMB mission statements such that both are assigned to missions in North America.
http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2011/05/the-one-world-missions-ministry-imb-namb-officially-joined-in-matrimony-or-just-engaged-by-peter-lumpkins.html#more

“Minor Adjustments Leading to Major Changes?” by Tim Rogers in A Southern Baptist in North Carolina blog, expressing concerns about the possibility of an IMB/NAMB merger, particularly in light of “Myth #8” from the GCR presentation.
http://rebekah1.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/minor-adjustments-leading-to-major-changes/

“The New NAMB:  Bad Precedents and Unanswered Questions,” by Howell Scott in the From Law to Grace blog, expressing concerns about the trajectory of NAMB and about whether these changes will diminish financial support for NAMB from churches.
http://fromlaw2grace.com/2011/05/26/the-new-namb-bad-precedents-unanswered-questions

About Theology

“Why I Left Calvinism,” by C. Baxter Kruger, in the Baxter’s Ongoing Thoughts blog, with his spiritual pilgrimage out of Calvinism (raised a Southern Presbyterian, doctorate from Aberdeen), primarily over his struggle to find assurance in Calvinism.
http://baxterkruger.blogspot.com/2008/04/why-i-left-calvinism.html

“Calvinist No More,” by Les Puryear in the Joining God in His Work blog, with one pastor’s pilgrimage out of Calvinism.
http://lesliepuryear.blogspot.com/2011/05/calvinist-no-more.html

“The Propitiatory Work of Christ in Atonement” and “The Importance of a Proper View of the Necessity of Atonement,” by Billy Birch in The Arminian blog, with a discussion of various theological perspectives on the atonement.  Read both the article and the comments.
http://thearminian.net/2011/05/24/the-propitiatory-work-of-christ-in-atonement/ and http://thearminian.net/2011/05/25/the-importance-of-a-proper-view-of-the-necessity-of-atonement/.

“B. H. Carroll on Hyper-Calvinism,” by David R. Brumbalow in the Gulf Coast Pastor blog, with a reference to B. H. Carroll’s comments about hyper-Calvinism. http://gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com/2010/01/book-review-of-alcohol-today-by-r-l.html

“Michael Horton’s Concern with Today’s Church Planting Movement,” posted by Erik on the Saved by Faith blog, with a video of Westminster Seminary Theology professor Michael’s Horton expressing concern that “new Calvinist church planters” were combining Reformed theology with “Finnyite, revivalistic ecclesiology” (evidently referring to Baptist ecclesiology) which he regards as “fire and water.”  This should be required reading/watching for Baptist “New Calvinists” who (naively) think that, despite their Calvinistic soteriology, their practices are acceptable to true Calvinists without adopting a Presbyterian ecclesiology.
http://savedthroughfaith.com/2011/05/25/michael-horton%e2%80%99s-concern-with-today%e2%80%99s-church-planting-movement/

“What Is Congregationalism, Biblically Speaking?” by Mike Bergman at SBC Voices, with a description of what he takes to be the principal role of the congregation in church life.
http://sbcvoices.com/what-is-congregationalism-biblically-speaking-2/

“Is Inerrancy in Error?” by Dave Miller at SBC Impact, with arguments for and against inerrancy.
http://sbcimpact.org/2010/03/12/is-inerrancy-in-error/

About the Christian Life

“How to Offer Criticism,” Parts 1, 2, and 3, by Ed Stetzer on his blog, suggesting some wise advice to consider before criticizing others.
http://www.edstetzer.com/2011/05/how-to-offer-criticism-part-th.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Edstetzercom+%28EdStetzer.com%29

“Focusing Our Thoughts,” by Ed Steele in the Worship HeartCries blog, with devotional reflections on Philippians 4:8-9.
http://www.edsteeleworship.com/2011/05/focusing-our-thoughts.html

“Gaga for Jezebel,” by Daniel K. Norris in his blog, with a critique from an evangelical Christian perspective of the “theology” of Lady Gaga, a pop singer who is evidently seeking ordination so she can marry homosexual couples. She uses biblical imagery in her concerts and videos, and has proclaimed her love for Judas.  Norris is concerned that Christian young people not be duped by the message Lady Gaga is communicating.
http://www.dknorris.com/2011/05/gaga-for-jezebel/

For more details on Lady Gaga’s specific statements and actions, and their meanings, see this post by Patrick Cheng in the Huffington Post.  Readers be forewarned:  Patrick Cheng is an openly homosexual theologian, and this obviously colors his perspective.  There are also some very graphic descriptions in this article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-patrick-s-cheng-phd/lady-gaga-and-the-gospel-_b_862104.html

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