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I write these words less than 24 hours from the closing gavel of our 2024 SCBaptist Convention at FBC Columbia. My heart is still swollen with gratitude to our God, love for our people, and hope for our future.... Continue Reading »
The holidays are a time of flavor. We walk into Grandma’s house on Thanksgiving or Christmas, and all the spices combine for amazing smells and delicious food — cinnamon, nutmeg, cranberry, butter, garlic, and much more. These are the... Continue Reading »
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Nov. 6, America’s hotly contested presidential election was called for Republican Donald J. Trump, who now becomes presidents 45 and 47. After four years of leadership from a Democrat administration that pushed... Continue Reading »
Heading into the busiest shopping season of the year, many Americans may find meaning and purpose while they’re picking up gifts for others and themselves. A Lifeway Research study asked 1,200 U.S. adults their level of agreement with 10... Continue Reading »
When I hear the question, “Do I have any hope in this life?” I immediately take note of the severe pain from which this question arises. Those who know little trouble and only acute hardship do not ask such... Continue Reading »
If the title of this column surprises or shocks you, you are not alone. When I read the data provided by Alliance Defending Freedom, it amazed me how South Carolina law does not clearly define parental rights and offers... Continue Reading »
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all nations and ethnic groups. God makes this truth clear throughout the book of Acts. Each chapter reveals the Holy Spirit ensuring that the apostles would be witnesses “to the end of... Continue Reading »
Disasters have a way of getting your attention. Dylan was one of thousands of South Carolina residents whose homes were affected by downed trees from Hurricane Helene’s destructive path. The early morning hours of the storm for his street... Continue Reading »
As a combat veteran who deployed to and fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, I’ve heard the words “thank you for your service” more times than I can count. And while these five words are often spoken with genuine respect... Continue Reading »
In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, America’s hotly contested presidential election was called for Republican Donald J. Trump, who now becomes presidents 45 and 47. After four years of leadership from a Democrat administration that pushed leftist policies... Continue Reading »
Nov. 11–12, SCBaptists from across the state will gather at Columbia’s First Baptist Church for our 204th annual meeting. The room will be full of pastors, associate ministry staff, lay leaders, and church members who are invested in our... Continue Reading »
I remember reading Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities while in high school. My imagination was instantly captured by one of the most iconic opening paragraphs in literature. “It was the best of times, it was the worst... Continue Reading »
As I sat at my desk this morning, staring at all the accoutrements of academia that surround me, I suddenly realized that I will soon celebrate 40 years of full-time Christian ministry. Over these decades, I’ve been privileged to... Continue Reading »
There’s a pretty significant vote going on in America. If you’ve been paying attention to the news or scrolling through social media, you know our country is in the thick of another intense political season. In my 68 years,... Continue Reading »
We live in a tumultuous, polarized, sharply divided partisan political environment. Everyday exchanges on social media and daily conversations with friends, co-workers, and family members can, and often do, devolve into heated debates over the issues of our day.... Continue Reading »
Ten days after the ascension of Christ, the disciples were in the upper room of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. The signs and miracles that took place on that day were numerous: the sound of a violent rushing... Continue Reading »
“Who is that? They’re not being very nice,” my 5-year-old son asked as he pointed at the TV. “Well, son, one of them will be the future president of the United States,” I said reluctantly. “You shouldn’t vote for... Continue Reading »
I miss being a pastor. Don’t get me wrong, I am confident in God’s calling on my life in this season, and I love it. Vanessa and I are very fulfilled, and there is nowhere we would rather be.... Continue Reading »
How often do your lost neighbors come to your house on their own initiative to connect with you? If your experience is anything like mine, the answer is essentially never. However, there is one exception: Halloween night. Halloween is... Continue Reading »
We are living in an age when politics seems to occupy more and more of our minds and hearts. There is a simple reason for that. The government was once a much simpler kind of affair with a relatively... Continue Reading »
My engagement with theonomy began before I was an adult. I have experienced two periods of intense interest in this movement and theory known as theonomy, Christian reconstructionism, dominion theology, or (more recently) a comprehensive model of Christian nationalism.... Continue Reading »
I remember when astronauts landed on the moon. I listened to music on records, eight tracks, cassettes, CDs, and MP3 players. I put $5 worth of gas in the car and drove all weekend on it. I saw “Star... Continue Reading »
In his book Meditations, the ancient emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote that any hindrance to action could itself be the way forward. The modern Stoic Ryan Holiday, inspired by this idea, even entitled a book The Obstacle Is the Way.... Continue Reading »
In 410 A.D., barbarian king Alaric led an army of Visigoths into Rome, besieging the city and starving it into submission. His troops then sacked the city for three days. After eight centuries of world dominance, the Roman Empire... Continue Reading »
What is the difference between a kind, generous unbeliever and a kind, generous believer? I stood on a bridge in Asheville, N.C., over the French Broad River and interviewed two men, Steve and Tom. Steve said he was a... Continue Reading »
You may know someone who has a condition called atrial fibrillation. You may have it yourself! In fact, a lot of people have it. I seem to see it more and more in the ER. But what is it?... Continue Reading »
Almost all the polling data monitoring people’s top concerns connected to the 2024 race for the White House lists three issues rising to the top in every poll. They are the economy (inflation), the border, and crime. In some... Continue Reading »
You can probably name a lot of famous people from the Bible, but I wonder if you remember a man named Ebed-melech? We read about him in Jeremiah 38 when the prophet Jeremiah was lowered into a cistern because... Continue Reading »
It’s my privilege to serve as the recording secretary of the Southern Baptist Convention. The recording secretary is elected each summer by messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting. Along with the registration secretary, a position currently held by my... Continue Reading »
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turns his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:1–2) How we view prayer enormously... Continue Reading »
French and British armies clashed with Germany at the First Battle of Marne 110 years ago this month, within 30 miles of Paris. The Germans hoped taking Paris would afford them a quick assurance of victory in the larger... Continue Reading »
by JEFF ROBINSON, Editor I grew skeptical when he called it “an offer you can’t refuse.” Either this man was hiding something about the house he was trying to sell me, or his sales technique was deeply influenced... Continue Reading »
Genesis 1:27-28 should settle all debate among believers about God’s creative purpose for humanity. God made them “male and female,” and He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply and to exercise stewardship and dominion over His creation. Transgender... Continue Reading »
“Never Again.” These words are inscribed on a monument in the Dachau Concentration Camp where tens of thousands of political prisoners were tortured and killed. The evil that occurred during Hitler’s regime is palpable inside the walls, culminating to... Continue Reading »
On July 13, I was eating dinner with my extended family at Garden City Beach when we saw the breaking news out of Butler, Pa., that former President Donald Trump barely escaped an assassination attempt. I found myself reflecting... Continue Reading »
Vanessa and I are invested, but these South Carolina weather patterns and soil variances are trying our patience. We planted some fruit trees last fall and have been taking care of them dutifully. We water them, feed them, prune... Continue Reading »
For many students and ministries, the start of a new school year feels the same as New Year’s resolutions for many adults. Most students see returning to school as offering more new opportunities and better chances to start over,... Continue Reading »
The foundation of a healthy and productive society begins with marriage and the family, and the foundation of a healthy and productive church also begins with marriage and the family. Everywhere you look in our world, you can see... Continue Reading »
Over the past two years, I’ve said very little in public about the so-called Law Amendment. As recording secretary, I’m an officer of the Southern Baptist Convention who is eligible for perpetual election. If elected, I’ll serve Southern Baptists... Continue Reading »
Less than one inch. That was the distance that separated former President Donald Trump from being struck in the temple by an assassin’s bullet on July 13 at a rally in Butler, Pa. Had the gunman hit his intended... Continue Reading »
Do you remember where you were when you heard the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade? Do you remember your first thought and how you felt at that moment? The Dobbs decision came on June 24, 2022. For 49... Continue Reading »
Once again, the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention has come and gone. There was a lot of hype leading up to the convention regarding the Law Amendment, the future of sexual abuse reform, the Credentials Committee’s recommendations... Continue Reading »
On Monday, June 10, 2024, about 350 SCBaptists gathered in an Indiana hotel conference room to fellowship, encourage one another, and be reminded of why we do what we do. The SCBaptist spirit of cooperation was rich and powerful.... Continue Reading »
William’s life changed as he watched two planes fly into the World Trade Center with his fellow cadets at the Citadel. Soon he would join his friends to defend freedom and fight against terrorism. He was commissioned into the... Continue Reading »
In 2022, the Louisiana House prepared to pass HB-813, the Abolition of Abortion in Louisiana Act. The bill garnered statewide support; a majority of House Republicans pledged to vote for it. On the eve of the vote, more than... Continue Reading »
In 1549, Thomas Cranmer organized the publication of the Book of Common Prayer, which is still used today by millions of people in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Speaking with a sense of humor, the late J.I. Packer said, “Long... Continue Reading »
My wife is mystified at my TV habits. She gets it that I’m glued to the Cincinnati Reds game nearly every night during summer, baseball highlights afterward, Georgia football in the fall, even occasional Seinfeld reruns. All that makes... Continue Reading »
When my youngest daughter was in high school, she was fast. How fast? She ran the 800-meter run, which is two laps around the track in 2:19. But it was the way she ran that kept me on the... Continue Reading »
As I walk down the street today, I can hear the call to prayer ringing through the neighborhood in an unnamed city in North Africa. A cashier from a stand serving snacks excuses himself and places his rug toward... Continue Reading »
On May 13, 1924, Southern Baptists from across the country gathered for their annual business session in Memphis, Tenn. Awakened to global opportunity, enlivened by organizational potential, unified by a burgeoning denominational consciousness, and determined to maximize their sacrifices... Continue Reading »
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