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I’m changing up my DHD this week. It’s going to be “All Al.”
I’ve mentioned Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary, in past blogs. With Dr. Mohler conducting an “Ask Anything” Facebook Live production this week, I decided to dedicate four topics from the hour-long Q&A session. You can watch “Ask Anything” here:
The two final topics related to his commentary on his latest edition of The Briefing, Mohler’s daily analysis of news and events.
Neutral stance on Social Justice & the Gospel
Mohler was asked more than one question relating to a recent statement titled “Social Justice & the Gospel,” that was engineered by Pastor John MacArthur and other well-known Christian leaders. Currently, there are more than 7,000 signees endorsing this statement that mostly addresses concerns of Christians being involved in current issues relating to Social Justice.
I confess, I have not read the entire statement, but I understand why it has drawn both support and opposition among Evangelical Christians.
Mohler demonstrated neutrality when he spoke about the statement, even though he admitted he did not sign it. As far as the term “Social Justice,” Mohler said he is “reluctant to use the term generally.” Instead, he prefers to focus on justice, which he said “always in a biblical frame means an individual responsibility.” He said the Bible teaches that Christians are to live as “resident aliens” who reflect God’s attributes.
Mohler did recognize the concern of the Church being involved in issues that involve secular causes or have political affirmations. He said, “The caution always was to make sure, in the context of social justice issues, to make the Gospel a focal point or else veer toward liberal Protestantism and abandoning Christ.”
He did emphatically say the priority of the Church is “the urgency of the preaching of the Gospel” and should not replace this priority with a political or transformationalist vision.
People on Either Side of Social Justice Issue
Mohler said he has friends on both sides of the Social Justice issue. He said MacArthur is a “good friend.” He also demonstrated respect for Tim Keller who appears to favor a supportive view of being involve in current Social Justice issues. And Mohler did confirm he believed the Gospel was being preached in both MacArthur’s and Keller’s churches.
Mohler also dispelled the rumors that he told Southern Seminary faculty members not to sign the statement or else be terminated. He said he did not give such an order and would not consider doing so.
Mohler did encourage discussion of Social Justice and said it “can be and should be a productive conversation among persons who love the Gospel.”
He said the reason he did not sign the statement is “I would not express, even some of the concerns I share with those who framed the document, in the way the document was written.”
Abuse in the Church
Someone asked Mohler about recent issues involving sexual abuse in church and other Christian institutions. He said, “The church must be a safe place.” And he admitted there were not any adequate discussions about this when he became a seminary president 26 years ago.
“It’s a conversation that needs to happen in every Christian church, with Christian parents and children,” he said. He also emphatically stated with any kind of abuse authorities must be alerted immediately. “Call the authorities RIGHT NOW,” he exclaimed.
Mohler said the Church is the institution that “knows our responsibility to protect the vulnerable and the innocent. Call sin what it is in every manifestation, defend the defenseless.”
Other topics Mohler addressed
There were other interesting “Ask Anything” questions Mohler answered. He said Christians facing terminal conditions should exhaust all viable medical remedies that have the chance of enhancing or extending life.
He said, when asked about administering the Lord’s Supper to homebound church members to make clear that such members are a part of the local church, and that church members, not directly the pastor, should provide elements for such members in order to avoid this ordinance be observed as sacramental or sacerdotal — in other words, the appearance of priestly or officiated by priests.
I also appreciated Mohler’s response to a question on divorce, on whether the “guilty party” is permitted by Scripture to remarry. Basically, he said the focus needs to be on the “guilty party” being restored in the faith with the help and council from the local church before considering remarriage.
Finally, when asked should the Christian be involved in politics, Mohler said, “Humanitarianism won’t save anybody, but you would rather live in a society that promoted humanitarianism than murderous hatred.” Basically, he said Christians are to be involve in culture with the purpose of sharing the Gospel through any means.
Mohler on new Planned Parenthood president
In Friday’s edition of The Briefing, Mohler offered commentary on Planned Parenthood naming a new president. The significance about the president is that she is a medical doctor. Mohler stated:
“…what’s going on here is the attempt to argue that there is now a leader at Planned Parenthood whose expertise and authority is medical. Now, this is a huge development because it tells us just how the pro-abortion movement thinks it’s going to have to redirect its argument. Increasingly, as we have tracked, there is the effort to stop talking about abortion as abortion and instead to try to redefine abortion as part of reproductive health. There is no better or perhaps more sinister way to rebrand Planned Parenthood or at least to attempt to do so than by naming a doctor as the head of Planned Parenthood in order to try to say over and over again, this really isn’t about killing babies, this about reproductive health.”
I reiterate, the saddest and most foolish philosophy involving those who favor abortion is how they view the process of human birth as a “reproductive right” without any consent to a sovereign Creator, the Author of Life. I appreciate Mohler addressing this recent change at Planned Parenthood.
Mohler on hurricane commentary
As everyone is aware of Hurricane Florence having a major effect on the east coast, Mohler reported in the Friday Briefing about commentators bringing up the issue of climate change as it relates to this natural disaster:
“I am not denying the reality of climate change… There are serious questions to ask about the degree to which human beings might actually be contributing to it. I’m not denying that there is a human contribution to this kind of climate change. I am saying that is not so simple as the ideologues would have us to think. Furthermore, there is no adequate human understanding of exactly how the climate works. It is interesting to note that when this storm reached category four, the explanation was made by many that this is all due to climate change. When it slowed, there did not appear to be an adequate explanation of how that system of causality would explain what happened over the next couple of days.”
May God protect those who are affected by Hurricane Florence.
It’s a rainy day on a week of interesting events. Here’s my six thoughts on what has occurred.
Congrats Mo Cheeks!
Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks is being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this evening, and I’m totally thrilled. This, of course, is mostly occurring because of Cheeks’ playing career, as he was an NBA World Champion when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980s.
As the Thunder official scorekeeper, I get to see Coach Cheeks an hour before each home game tips off. He is the one who delivers to me the active roster for the game. It’s the same thing every time. He gives it one last look, hands the sheet to me, shakes my hand and then hits the padded scorer’s table. Hitting the table is an important part of the ritual. Sometimes he forgets to do that, so I remind him.
If you want to know how important Coach Cheeks has been to the Thunder organization, check out Royce Young’s article “Mo Cheeks, the Thunder’s Westbrook Whisperer.” And especially check out the embedded video of Cheeks, as the head coach of the Portland Trailblazers, helping a young lady who forgot the words of the National Anthem. I tear up every time I watch it.
Kavanaugh Hearings Part 1
One of the biggest current events that happened this week is the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Hearings of this nature fascinate me. I guess it’s just the dynamic of two people – an interrogator and a responder – sitting in a room with a bunch of other people, including a panel of elected officials, photographers, and a gallery of onlookers, having an intense formal discussion under oath.
I’m sure you heard or watched all the interruptions that took place, but I’m not going to address that foolishness. Instead, I will share one of my favorite moments that took place in during opening statements. Sen. Ben Sasse gave an excellent speech. Some of the highlights include mentioning Schoolhouse Rock and giving a civics lesson on the different branches of government and their responsibilities.
You should check it out because it’s worth the time to hear Sasse summarize the current status of our country’s legislative branch.
Kavanaugh Hearings Part 2
It’s pretty much settled that Judge Kavanaugh will become the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court. These hearings are mostly a formality, but that does not stop those who oppose Kavanaugh’s appointment from finding ways to mar his character or grandstanding for future political opportunities.
Two Democrat senators appear to be using these hearings as shining moments for possibly becoming presidential candidates in 2020. They are Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Try as they did, when both Booker and Harris had their time to shine when questioning Kavanaugh and attempting to make him look bad and themselves look… I guess, presidential, they flopped. And that’s not just me or other conservative onlooker making this conclusion. Do a Google search, and you’ll see liberal media members making the same assessments.
This is a powerful piece for how to demonstrate faith in God. Even if you don’t have children, you can be blessed by reading this, especially the end of it.
NFL Kicks Off
I watched the opening game of the NFL season last night. Defending Super Bowl Champs Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Atlanta Falcons. The game lacked a lot of luster, but I have to share one of the brightest moments.
The “Philly Special” returns from last year’s Super Bowl, but I loved Cris Collinsworth’s line “the fifth picked up a first.”
Happy Birthday Mom!
Today is my momma’s 84th birthday. I appreciate everything about Hester Doyle, how she has supported me through the majority of my life, as well as how she has taken on numerous significant roles, and now I get to support her during this special stage of her life.
My family is celebrating her this evening, and I’m looking forward to it.
I get the feeling DHD readers are not in the mood for lengthy pieces. So I’ll be brief this week.
Here we go!
1. Remembering McCain
Senator John McCain died last weekend after battling cancer. The man was an amazing American war hero, and I do have great respect for how he served our country and stayed faithful and committed even as a prisoner of war.
Andrew Walker is another great ERLC writer. This week, he wrote an article in response to Katelyn Beaty’s column emphasizing more support for women who struggle with the cost of having children rather than politics of ending abortion.
Check out Walker’s “Why we should work to overturn abortion laws.” I wholeheartedly agree with how he responded to Beaty, especially with the emphasis of how this should not be an either/or discussion, but rather emphasize both the care of the mother AND her baby.
“The idea that pro-life individuals are not prepared to care for pregnant women were Roe overturned is a distraction to the larger moral problem at hand. I do not know of a single church or a single Christian family that would not bend over backward to protect the dignity of both mother and child.”
3. Abortion issue in Okla. gubernatorial race
Speaking of abortion, I hope my fellow Oklahoma voters are informed when they vote in November. It’s now cut and dry, as far as who to vote for if Sanctity of Life is a major issue. For me, it’s the number one issue. As I’ve shared in past DHDs, I will not vote for any candidate who is not clearly Pro-life.
According to the Oklahoman, Kevin Stitt is against abortion, and Drew Edmondson would allow abortions.
Is this important to you?
4. Great reviews on ‘Operation Finale’
Speaking of valuing life, Operation Finale sounds like a winner of a movie. It debuts this weekend, and I’ve read two excellent reviews about the film.
Of course, WordSlingers’ entertainment writer Michael Foust gives a good report. By the way, if you are not a regular reader of Michael’s reviews, you should be. There have been times when Michael has convinced me to go see a movie.
Another review is by Brett McCracken who said Operation Finale makes a great argument for human dignity, even references imago Dei, that all humans are created in the image of God.
5. Tim Challies ‘3 Books That Have Impacted Me’
I appreciate Christian blogger Tim Challies, and I discovered the following YouTube video where he shares in a Q&A setting in England earlier this year three books that are important to him.
I’m also a fan of Jerry Bridges and have led many Bible studies using his book “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts.”
6. Happy Labor Day
I end with wishing all readers a Happy Labor Day!
Baptist Press shared two articles under the appreciating theme of Labor Day. One is about Owen Cooper that last layman to serve as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I’m glad you chose to read my weekly post of Doyle’s Half Dozen. Here’s my thoughts on six timely topics.
College students need their own church
School has started back, in all grades and levels of education. If you are a young college student who is experiencing your first time away from home, I would encourage you to read Russell Moore’s blog Why You Need a Church (Not Just a Campus Ministry)
Moore gives an endorsement for on-campus Christian ministries such as Baptist Collegiate Ministry, but I am in agreement with him on the importance of college students being involved in a church in the area where they are attending college. He gives five strong suggestions on how a college student can avoid “unchurched spirituality” and how to make the Christian life fresh and exciting while being in college.
Great SMO videos
In September, many Oklahoma Baptist churches will be promoting the Edna McMillan State Missions Offering (SMO), which benefits nearly 30 state Baptist ministries. The creative videographers who work with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma have done a great job producing four videos that promote SMO.
One of my favorite videos features my friend LeRon West, pastor of Tulsa, Gilcrease Heights. There’s a lot I’ve learned about LeRon through watching this video. I hope you’ll check it out.
My Connect Group
I mentioned in last week’s DHD that I was back doing what I enjoy — teaching Sunday School. My church now calls it “Connect Groups.”
For our first Sunday meeting together, 10 people attended. This new group is for single adults in the ages of 30s-50s. I was thrilled. There were five ladies and five men, and all 10 of us came on our own. It wasn’t friends starting the class together; few of us even knew each other prior to meeting.
Now I’m excited to see who will come this Sunday! Maybe you will!
Abortion is not an economic benefit
I listened to Al Mohler’s The Briefing this morning. It was excellent as always. It also got me stirred up.
His opening segment is about Chelsea Clinton giving a speech on how supporting abortion is “great for the American economy.”
Any time I hear somebody paint abortion in a positive flair, I want to immediately call out their foolishness. Mohler did exactly that, referencing Boston Globe’s Jeff Jacoby, saying Chelsea Clinton has made a “singularly wretched argument.”
Clinton claims abortion allowed women to be involved in the workforce unencumbered by motherhood, adding $3.5 million to the American ecomony. However, as Mohler points out, since 1973 when Roe v. Wade led to legalizing abortion in the United States, 60 million unborn babies were aborted.
“…just imagine what would have been the addition to the United States economy by not only the workforce entry of many of those 60 million American lives, but also the economic impact as consumer and participants in the larger economy,” Mohler said.
She references Rosaria Butterfield, whom I greatly admire. If you ever have a chance to hear Rosaria speak, please take advantage of the opportunity, especially since she limits her number of speaking engagements.
‘Boom Town’ pre-review
What do you call a report on a book you’re in the middle of reading? Whatever you call it, this is what I’m offering.
This week, I purchased Sam Anderson’s new book “Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, its chaotic founding, its apocalyptic weather, its purloined basketball team and the dream of becoming a world-class metropolis.”
Yep, that’s a long subtitle, one that would make my editor Brian Hobbs very proud.
I have a fascination about Oklahoma history, especially when it centers on my hometown of Oklahoma City. Add elements that involve the Oklahoma City Thunder, and I’m totally engrossed.
Anderson is an excellent author. I’ve never heard of him, but he’s got me hooked in this book.
His New York liberal mindset is a negative. I don’t care for the profanity sprinkled about on a couple of the pages. And since he’s an “outsider,” I naturally take offense in some of his opinions of my homeland. But he also lavishes on the compliments, so it evens out.
Outsider or not, Anderson is educating me on many things I didn’t know about OKC. I did take Oklahoma history; I’m fairly familiar with the Land Run of 1889. However, Anderson goes deeper into state history and shares some fascinating tales.
His narratives on the Thunder are good and mostly fair. I still think people are making a bigger deal on the James Harden trade than they should. Anderson is one of such embellishers.
I’m less than 100 pages in, but so far, it’s great reading. I’ll give a full review when I’m done.
Here’s another edition of my thoughts on six timely topics. Thanks for reading!
Bad sound from Cornett
The runoff for the Republican candidate in the gubernatorial race in Oklahoma has gotten negative. I am disappointed it has made such a turn. However, Mick Cornett made a move that could have lost my vote. He accused his opponent Kevin Stitt of making false accusations.
Cornett may have a point. However, his campaign group released a horrible ad to counter Stitt, using Stitt’s name in a form of profanity. Maybe his team thought it was clever, but it has caused me to seriously reconsider who will receive my vote.
Cornett’s crew should heed what happened to Steve Largent in the 2002 race for Oklahoma Governor. Largent used a similar vulgar term that played a major part in the NFL Hall-of-Famer losing the election.
Christian baker back in the courts
Jack Phillips is being harassed by an LGBTQ supporter. The Colorado Christian baker who won the U.S. Supreme Court case involving religious rights continues to be targeted.
The best summary on this issue is given by Al Mohler in his Thursday, Aug. 16, edition of The Briefing. Also, check out David French’s article which gives a great summation.
This is an extreme case of bitter foolishness. Phillips is just a local baker whose business does nothing to hinder anyone’s lifestyle or viewpoint, and the requested orders he is receiving from this LBGTQ advocating lawyer are extremely ridiculous with offensive intentions.
I pray God will intervene and Phillips will receive His grace and mercy through this ongoing ordeal.
Gospel Coalition promotes BCE?
I frequently search The Gospel Coalition’s website. It’s a good source for DHD content. Usually I find the articles encouraging and definitely provide biblically-based perspectives.
However, I was rather disappointed to read Ryan Reeves’ article “What Is The Septuagint?” Overall, it’s a solid piece, and I think it’s great that Christians be familiar with the Greek translation of the Old Testament.
However, beginning in the fifth paragraph, Reeves uses the term “B.C.E.” which stands for “Before Common Era.” This is a modern secular term used in place of “B.C.” – “Before Christ” – in order to disregard Christianity as a reference for time and era.
I sent an inquiry to the editorial board of The Gospel Coalition to see what they make of Reeves’ use of a term that disregards Jesus Christ, which is ironic since he intends to educate Christians.
Be looking in future DHDs to see if I get a response. I will be sure to share once received.
Wax is objective in presenting his view on using printed forms of the Bible over electronic sources. I appreciate how he has determined to use both forms of God’s Word.
He also asks a powerful question regarding the use of Bible apps: “How will our view of the Bible change if our primary encounter with it is on the same device from which we exert so much control and manipulation of our self-image?”
“Watchman Nee tells about a Chinese Christian who owned a rice paddy next to one owned by a communist man. The Christian irrigated his paddy by pumping water out of a canal, using one of those leg-operated pumps that make the user appear to be seated on a bicycle. Every day, after the Christian had pumped enough water to fill his field, the communist would come out, remove some boards that kept the water in the Christian’s field and let all the water flow down into his own field. That way, he didn’t have to pump.
“This continued day after day. Finally, the Christian prayed, “Lord, if this keeps up, I’m going to lose all my rice, maybe even my field. I’ve got a family to care for. What can I do?”
“In answer to his request, the Lord put a thought in his mind. So, the next morning he arose much earlier, in the predawn hours of darkness, and started pumping water into the field of his communist neighbor. Then he replaced the boards and pumped water into his own rice paddy. In a few weeks both fields of rice were doing well—and the communist was converted.”
Dear Christian brother or sister, I hope this example challenged you as it did me from the standpoint that our actions and behavior toward neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances can make a major impact. Join me in considering how to make the “extra effort” in reaching lost people in our lives.
Starting a new class!
I’m excited about a new opportunity that I have this Sunday, Aug. 19. I’m starting a new Sunday School class (or at our church, “Connection Class”) for single adults in their 30s-50s.
Basically, I’m going back to my original teaching on Sunday mornings. I started a class in 2004 for single adults at a time when my church did not offer anything for people in this life stage. I’ll never forget that January Sunday morning. I expected about three to show. There were 10 people in that first class.
The class continued to grow to the point that, in nine months, we became two classes. There were even more exciting results over the next 10-plus years that are too numerous to mention. This experience led me to end my 13-year career in college athletics and pursue a more ministry-focused career, which resulted in my current profession as managing editor of the Baptist Messenger.
I can’t say this new class will have the same drastic change in my life, but I’m excited to see what God will do.
