With Dallas Willard’s death two weeks ago, I was reminded with gratitude of his classic text, The Spirit of the Disciplines. There was one sentence in that book that arrested me when I read it a number of years ago, and it has led to a strong commitment to promote Scripture memory in my pastoral ministry. In his chapter outlining spiritual disciplines, Willard wrote about the believer’s intake of Scripture:

“I would never undertake to pastor a church or guide a program of Christian education that did not involve a continuous program of memorization of the choicest passages of Scripture for people of all ages.” (more…)

I am writing this article days after the Louisiana College Board of Trustees called an emergency meeting to deal with a number of critical issues facing the college. I have full trust and confidence that the Lord will guide the trustees in the matters before them.  We should pray fervently for our trustees and the administration as they walk through this difficult time.

One of the issues that has emerged from this crisis is another conversation about Calvinism. I have written on this subject among the Louisiana Baptist family here.

Let me hasten to say that with regard to our cooperative work, I would join my non-Calvinist friends against any agenda being pushed on students or the churches. However, it is totally appropriate for conversations about John Calvin, predestination, election, etc. to take place at a Christian college and/or a divinity school.   My point is that because these issues are discussed it doesn’t mean an agenda is in place. (more…)

God’s protection and love are on display powerfully in the seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

The seventh commandment forbids adultery which is viewed biblically as the shattering of the marriage covenant between a husband and a wife through sexual relations with another outside the marriage. This commandment became the basis for the prohibition of a whole range of sexual sins expanded upon elsewhere in Leviticus and the New Testament: fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, etc.

The warning against adultery is second only to idolatry in the Old Testament, and second to none in the New Testament. It was considered to be a treacherous sin, not only against another person, but against God, as expressed by King David’s cry, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight.” (Psalm 51:4)

We are commanded to honor marriage (Hebrews 13:4), and adultery is an offense to the sacredness of that union. The fallout of unbridled adultery is everywhere. Someone has quipped that in America every hour is “Sex O’Clock.” A perusal of the magazine racks at the check-out register of most grocery stores reveal relationships birthed or ended because of adultery. (more…)