Pastoral Theology: Free Video Lectures!
Earlier this year, Reformed Baptist Seminary invited Pastors Bob Selph, Tom Ascol, Gary Hendrix, and Donny Martin to lecture on various topics related to pastoral theology. These four men combined represent over 125 years of ministry experience and addressed topics like “Shepherding the Flock,” “Christ as the Pastor’s Center,” “The Pastor with the Lord’s Army,” and “The Preeminence of Grace in Pastoral Ministry.” We also invited Dr Mark Ward Jr to address the benefits and dangers of technology in a two-part series, which he entitled, “Technology Giveth, Technology Taketh Away.” Read more 
No Place for Same-Sex Marriage: The Reformed and Baptist Confession
The biblical view of marriage is under attack in many post-Christian societies like the United States. In particular, advocates of “same-sex marriage” either reject the idea that marriage is instituted by God (and, therefore, regulated by him), or they endeavor to “reinterpret” the Bible to allow for homosexuality and legal unions between partners of the same sex. In light of the rising opposition what we know as the traditional view of marriage, I thought it might be useful to offer a brief exposition of the Baptist Confession of Faith’s contribution to this topic. Read more
If It’s Not Missional, It’s Not Church
“When God set about his great project of world redemption in the wake of Genesis 12, he chose to do so not by whisking individuals off to heaven, but by calling into existence a community of blessing. Starting with one man and his barren wife, then miraculously transforming them into a large family within several generations, then into a nation called Israel, and then, through Christ, into a multinational community of believers from every nation–all through the story God has been moulding a people for himself. But also a people for others. ‘Through you … all nations.’” Read more
On Chick-Fil-A, Being Gay, and Judgment Day
Plenty of folks were lauding Chick-Fil-A and denouncing the pro-gay community when I checked my Facebook news feed on Friday. While I agreed with those who support Chick-Fil-A’s freedom of speech and view of marriage, I thought it might be helpful to add a complementary perspective into the mix. So I posted the following remark, “I’m not a prophet, but I suspect that it will be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for Sodom and Gomorrah than for many who patronized Chick-Fil-A on August 1st.” Read more
Confessions of a Recovering Legalist
Religious “Legalism” with a capital “L” is heresy. It’s the belief that one’s personal virtue and obedience to religious norms or standards merits God’s favor and/or salvation. This “do-it-yourself” religion is antithetical to the gospel of Christ and the Bible’s grace-based religion. “For by grace you have been saved through faith,” writes the apostle Paul. He goes on to remark, “This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8). When asked what deeds God requires of men as a condition for eternal life, Jesus surprised his audience with the reply, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29; see also John 3:16, 36; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Rom 10:9-13). Read more
