Some say the SBC isn't woke & there's nothing to be alarmed about. Don't be so sure.
Paul said "a little leaven leavens the lump."
The broader SBC may not be full-blown woke, but some places are.
A friend recently shared notes from a SEND Philly training.
See for yourself🧵
My friend attended a training who's purpose was "to assist planters, pastors, ministry leaders and lay persons with a heart to serve those within the urban context."
The "urban context" is defined according to progressive priorities using leftist buzzwords.
Page 8 describes "marginalized" people as "the other."
They are subject to:
* Systemic racism
* System disparity
* Modern day slavery and
* Environmental oppression
Jesus' ministry is presented as a social justice crusade to empower "the least of these."
This is a misuse of that text. The "least of these" in Mt25 refers to Christians who are socially ostracized because of their faithfulness to Jesus. It doesn't teach social activism.
The biblical justification they provide is simply to accept the social justice framing as valid and then quote texts where Jesus ministers to people who fit those categories.
Many Christians argue we shouldn't be involved in politics because we're called to be "exiles" on earth.
This produces a "loser" attitude of passivity & retreat from the public square. They say, "our citizenship is in heaven," so we should bow out of politics.
Not so fast. 1/8
2/ The OT concept of "exile" doesn't directly apply to the New Covenant era without careful theological reflection.
In the OT, exile meant divine judgment for breaking covenant and dispersion from the homeland. God's people broke covenant, and God punished them with exile.
3/ Christ's death and resurrection ended the exile of God's people by ushering in a New Covenant. In Christ, we are not under judgment. He suffered it for us (Rom 3:25, 5:8), giving us the right to become God's children (John 1:12).
Where did Jesus' spirit go after he died on the cross?
He told the thief on the cross "today you will be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43).
The Apostles' Creed says, "he descended into hell."
So which is it? 👇
To answer this question, we need to address the OT’s concept of the afterlife.
One of the best things I’ve read on this subject is Samuel Renihan’s book, “Crux, Mors, Inferi: A Primer on the Descent of Christ.”
Sounds intimidating, but it's not. Highly recommend.
The entire cosmos is divided into three realms:
(1) Heaven (2) Earth (3) Sheol (the “underworld”)
These three realms represent not only physical but spiritual dimensions of existence, each imbued with profound theological significance, particularly the “descent” of Christ.
America's memory verse is Matthew 7:1, which says, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."
Contrary to what most people think, the Bible does not prohibit all judging, but wrong judging.
There are at least five ways to judge wrongly. 🧵
1. Judging by the wrong standard.
Col 2:16 says, "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink..." The text goes on to describe such judgements as "human precepts and teachings" (v22).
Christians must always judge by the standard of God's word.
2. Judging with insufficient information (AKA "prejudging").
Prov 18:17 says, "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him."
1 TIm 5:17 says, "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality."
Christians must not make a judgment until they have the necessary facts to draw the right conclusion.
Here are 12 simple and biblical principles of sexuality that Christians need to faithfully honor God.
These are compiled from my study of sexuality and from many years of pastoral experience.
1. Move with the grain of God's design for sexuality.
God made us male & female from the beginning. The world is more functional & beautiful when men act in masculine ways and women act in feminine ways.
Don't reject it. Don't deny it. Embrace it. Be glad for how God made you.
2. Orient your top life priorities towards establishing and building up a household.
Every Christian should reasonably expect to get married and have children. There may be legitimate exceptions, but you're probably not one of them. Don't define the norm by the exceptions.