Within the last few days, the trustees of Belmont University voted to add "sexual orientation" to the school's nondiscrimination policy. In other words, they don't want a person's sexual preference to make any difference at all when a person is considered for employment at the university. You can read the story here. In order to understand the impact of this decision, it will probably aid you to know some things about the school's history.
I'm certainly no expert when it comes to the history of Belmont, but since I'm the pastor of a Tennessee Baptist Church (TBC) that was in cooperation with the school until just a few years ago, hopefully I can make a few informed statements. Belmont was a school created by the Tennessee Baptist Convention in the early 1950's. As with the other TBC institutions of higher learning, the purpose of the school was to train young men and women to be champions for Christ - whether serving him in Christian ministry or in the secular world.
Since its inception, music has played a strong influence on the livelihood of the college. That's not hard to understand, especially since Belmont is located in Music City, USA (Nashville). Many popular singers/songwriters received their education at the University, and consequently a good number of them have become influential donors since their graduation. To put it in a nutshell, Belmont relied heavily upon the TBC during its early years. As time passed, dependence on the TBC wained as the school became increasingly dependent upon the substantial gifts of some wealthy donors.
Many so-called "Christian schools" have gone down that path. It's almost as if you can see gold becoming their god right before your very eyes. Decisions are made much less on biblical convictions, and much more on what will attract the almighty dollar.
The recent decision by the Belmont Board of Trustees is just another very sad sign of this disturbing trend. And yet, this trend is really nothing new. In fact, it's as old as the Bible itself. Just consider men like David, Solomon, and a host of others. So long as they were ruddy little shepherd boys and ignorant young men calling on the wisdom of God, they made decisions based on God's Word and God's favor was added to their lives/kingdoms. Yet when they begin to prosper, somewhere along the way they allowed their prosperity to turn them away from following the Lord. In the cases of David and Solomon, both of them ended in some manner of disgrace because they failed to completely trust the Lord and heed His commands during their latter years.
In my opinion, that is precisely what has happened to Belmont. In this situation of their lesbian soccer coach, they had a wonderful opportunity to step up and shine bright for Christ, declaring the uncompromising truth of Scripture. Instead, they chose the path of least resistance. For every guy like me who writes to confront the institution with their sin, there will be many deep-pocketed donors who will assure them that they made the right decision.
What can we take from this? We better be very careful who we align ourselves with. We can align ourselves with the counselors and resources of this world, but I'm sure of this - none of them will be there to stand in judgment for us when we are called to give an account to Christ. What has Jesus said? "Whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10:33). Are we Christians? Then let us stand on the Word of God. If weren't not willing to stand on His Word, then let's stop giving lip-service to God. There is simply too much at stake. There is a world out there watching this situation unfold and they're looking for someone to lovingly declare the truth of God's Word.
I certainly wish Belmont no ill will. My prayer is simply that the school's leadership would repent of this decision, ask the Lord for forgiveness, and begin again to lovingly share the truth of God with a world that so desperately needs to hear it. Now is no time for compromise.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Slippery Slope of Abortion in America
By now I'm sure many of you are familiar with the horrific story of brutal murder that has come ringing out of Philadelphia, PA. If you haven't read the story, take a look at it here. Kermit Gosnell, a 69-year-old family practitioner posing as an abortion doctor, was recently charged with the murder of a 41-year-old woman and seven infant children. If you read the report of the Pennsylvania DA on the case, you are actually led to believe that Gosnell was responsible for the murder of hundreds more babies and at least one more adult. Without getting too graphic, Gosnell would fully deliver the babies, jab a pair of scissors into the back of their necks, and cut their spinal cords. As wicked as partial-birth abortion is, it seems to pale in comparison to this.
Of course, it's unthinkable that this kind of murder could happen in the United States of America. But did these horrific events take place in a vacuum? In other words, what circumstances created an environment where this type of murder could take place? Clearly the legalization of abortion in 1973 opened the floodgates to some of the grizzly practices we're seeing today. While I'll admit that illegal abortions were commonplace in America before Roe v. Wade, I think it's clear that legalized abortion has done very little to clean up what is a barbaric, abominable act in the eyes of God.
Here's what really gets me in this whole conversation. How can we say that a child inside the womb has fewer rights than a child of the same age outside the womb? Do people really believe that a child outside the womb is a human being, but that one inside the womb is not? You can dress it up, clean it up, and call it whatever you wish, but God's Word calls it the shedding of innocent blood (cf. 2 Kings 21:16). In Bible times, Judah was judged because it shed so much innocent blood during the reign of Manasseh. What makes us think that America will somehow avoid the judgment of God for committing similar sinful acts?
There's no question that abortion has created quite a slippery slope here in America. Legalized abortion led to partial-birth abortion and now this. Is there any end in sight? Only if God sends us the revival we so desperately need. My prayer is that revival will begin in each of our hearts, that it will transform our families, and that it will so move upon the houses of God across this land that finally our culture will be radically changed for the glory of Christ. Then, and only then, will the slippery slope of death be transformed into a holy pursuit of life.
Of course, it's unthinkable that this kind of murder could happen in the United States of America. But did these horrific events take place in a vacuum? In other words, what circumstances created an environment where this type of murder could take place? Clearly the legalization of abortion in 1973 opened the floodgates to some of the grizzly practices we're seeing today. While I'll admit that illegal abortions were commonplace in America before Roe v. Wade, I think it's clear that legalized abortion has done very little to clean up what is a barbaric, abominable act in the eyes of God.
Here's what really gets me in this whole conversation. How can we say that a child inside the womb has fewer rights than a child of the same age outside the womb? Do people really believe that a child outside the womb is a human being, but that one inside the womb is not? You can dress it up, clean it up, and call it whatever you wish, but God's Word calls it the shedding of innocent blood (cf. 2 Kings 21:16). In Bible times, Judah was judged because it shed so much innocent blood during the reign of Manasseh. What makes us think that America will somehow avoid the judgment of God for committing similar sinful acts?
There's no question that abortion has created quite a slippery slope here in America. Legalized abortion led to partial-birth abortion and now this. Is there any end in sight? Only if God sends us the revival we so desperately need. My prayer is that revival will begin in each of our hearts, that it will transform our families, and that it will so move upon the houses of God across this land that finally our culture will be radically changed for the glory of Christ. Then, and only then, will the slippery slope of death be transformed into a holy pursuit of life.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Just Because Mom & Dad Can Doesn't Mean They Should
I am still a relatively young man (or at least I like to think so). I feel blessed that God has given me opportunities to serve him in a number of different ways - as husband, father, pastor, coach, etc. While attempting to serve the Lord in those capacities, I have noticed a disturbing trend among those of my generation. Why is it that many in my generation continue to remain dependent upon their parents? Maybe I'm off base, but it just seems to me that more and more young people are having to rely on their parents to pay their bills, raise their children, and provide for their livelihood.
I mentioned how blessed I have been to serve God in a number of ways. I am also blessed to have two of the greatest parents who have ever lived. I understand that not everyone can say the same thing, so I thank God often for the wonderful parents he blessed me with. I'll never forget the wise counsel my parents gave me when I was considering marriage. I had just bought an engagement ring for my soon-to-be fiancee and I was so excited to bring it home and show it to mom and dad. I remember them both looking at it and agreeing that it was a lovely piece of jewelry.
But what they did next helped to provide me with one of the great lessons of my life. They explained to me that when I got married, no longer was I going to be supported by them. Rather, I would then be self-supporting as it would be up to me to "man-up" and seize the responsibility that marriage/parenthood brings. I thank God that I have two parents who loved me enough to teach me about marriage and responsibility.
And yet as I look at the trends of our culture, I wonder if there were some in my generation who never had that conversation with mom and dad. Perhaps they did, but maybe they just didn't listen to mom and dad's instruction. As a coach, I see more and more children being brought to the ballpark by grandma and grandpa - not because they're helping to give the grandkids a ride, but because they have custody of them. When the parents do show up, sometimes they are high, drunk, or obviously just in no position to raise children.
So, this is a challenge to all those in my generation: It's time for us to step up and take responsibility for ourselves and our families. Just because mom & dad can afford to support us doesn't mean that they should. In fact, many parents can't afford to support their children and grandchildren, yet they often feel pressured to bail them out. We should not be putting this kind of pressure on the people who raised us.
What's the answer? First and foremost, let's make sure that we've surrendered our lives to Christ. We will never do an adequate job of assuming responsibility in our homes until we have placed our faith in the Savior. Furthermore, let's decide that we're going to pursue a close walk with our Heavenly Father. Remember, the favor of God comes "by humility and the fear of the Lord" (Prov. 22:4). Finally, we should let the words of Ecc. 9:10 ring in our hearts and minds each day: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
Mom and Dad raised us to be big boys and big girls. Now I pray we'll trust God and act like it.
I mentioned how blessed I have been to serve God in a number of ways. I am also blessed to have two of the greatest parents who have ever lived. I understand that not everyone can say the same thing, so I thank God often for the wonderful parents he blessed me with. I'll never forget the wise counsel my parents gave me when I was considering marriage. I had just bought an engagement ring for my soon-to-be fiancee and I was so excited to bring it home and show it to mom and dad. I remember them both looking at it and agreeing that it was a lovely piece of jewelry.
But what they did next helped to provide me with one of the great lessons of my life. They explained to me that when I got married, no longer was I going to be supported by them. Rather, I would then be self-supporting as it would be up to me to "man-up" and seize the responsibility that marriage/parenthood brings. I thank God that I have two parents who loved me enough to teach me about marriage and responsibility.
And yet as I look at the trends of our culture, I wonder if there were some in my generation who never had that conversation with mom and dad. Perhaps they did, but maybe they just didn't listen to mom and dad's instruction. As a coach, I see more and more children being brought to the ballpark by grandma and grandpa - not because they're helping to give the grandkids a ride, but because they have custody of them. When the parents do show up, sometimes they are high, drunk, or obviously just in no position to raise children.
So, this is a challenge to all those in my generation: It's time for us to step up and take responsibility for ourselves and our families. Just because mom & dad can afford to support us doesn't mean that they should. In fact, many parents can't afford to support their children and grandchildren, yet they often feel pressured to bail them out. We should not be putting this kind of pressure on the people who raised us.
What's the answer? First and foremost, let's make sure that we've surrendered our lives to Christ. We will never do an adequate job of assuming responsibility in our homes until we have placed our faith in the Savior. Furthermore, let's decide that we're going to pursue a close walk with our Heavenly Father. Remember, the favor of God comes "by humility and the fear of the Lord" (Prov. 22:4). Finally, we should let the words of Ecc. 9:10 ring in our hearts and minds each day: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
Mom and Dad raised us to be big boys and big girls. Now I pray we'll trust God and act like it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
How Does a Christian Live in Faith?
This is a huge question and one that there appears to be much confusion about. Unfortunately, religion has done very little to clarify the matter. In many cases, religion has only added to the confusion that already exists. Some would have us to believe that living in faith means that you know exactly what God is going to do. For instance, there are many who teach that if a person is sick, all he has to do is believe that he is going to be made well. Essentially, that man's faith forces the hand of God - if he only believes strongly enough, things will happen just as he thought they would.
But I ask you, is that really how faith works? As with all other matters, we'll want to see what God's Word has to say about our question. It will help us first to define what faith is. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with a very straight-forward definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Fair enough, but what does that mean? The context of this verse has to do with the promises of God; namely His promise of salvation and the truths of His Word. So essentially the author of Hebrews is telling us that a man of faith believes the Word of God. Having been fully persuaded of God's truth, he then orders his life accordingly.
So how does it work? Again, it will aid us to consider the examples provided in the Bible. One awesome example is provided in Romans 4. In that amazing chapter of God's Word, Paul teaches us about the faith of Abraham. He said that it was by faith alone that Abraham was saved: "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3). How do we know that the righteousness of God equals salvation? Because Paul would later go on to write that "the Lord shall not impute sin" to those who have placed their faith in Christ (Rom. 4:8).
So we know that Abraham was saved through faith, but how did he live by faith? The Bible answers this question too. It says that Abraham was "fully convinced that what (God) had promised He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:21). Please don't miss this! Faith doesn't mean that you know what God is going to do. Rather it means that you are completely persuaded that God has the power to do anything you ask or anything He has promised.
Just because you believe God is going to do something, does that mean He is bound to do it? Of course not! That's not faith, that's presumption. Consider this example. Let's say you've got a huge debt that needs to be paid and you don't have the money to pay it. Presumption believes that God is going to pay off all my debts. Faith believes that God is able to pay off all my debts. Does faith require that He will? No, in fact faith may require that God will provide you with a job that will allow you to pay all your debts.
Bottom line: Living by faith means living each moment in full confidence that the all-powerful God of heaven and earth "is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Don't ever presume to know that God will do; just live your life in full confidence that He is more than able to do all things for the glory of His name.
But I ask you, is that really how faith works? As with all other matters, we'll want to see what God's Word has to say about our question. It will help us first to define what faith is. Thankfully, the Bible provides us with a very straight-forward definition of faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Fair enough, but what does that mean? The context of this verse has to do with the promises of God; namely His promise of salvation and the truths of His Word. So essentially the author of Hebrews is telling us that a man of faith believes the Word of God. Having been fully persuaded of God's truth, he then orders his life accordingly.
So how does it work? Again, it will aid us to consider the examples provided in the Bible. One awesome example is provided in Romans 4. In that amazing chapter of God's Word, Paul teaches us about the faith of Abraham. He said that it was by faith alone that Abraham was saved: "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3). How do we know that the righteousness of God equals salvation? Because Paul would later go on to write that "the Lord shall not impute sin" to those who have placed their faith in Christ (Rom. 4:8).
So we know that Abraham was saved through faith, but how did he live by faith? The Bible answers this question too. It says that Abraham was "fully convinced that what (God) had promised He was also able to perform" (Rom. 4:21). Please don't miss this! Faith doesn't mean that you know what God is going to do. Rather it means that you are completely persuaded that God has the power to do anything you ask or anything He has promised.
Just because you believe God is going to do something, does that mean He is bound to do it? Of course not! That's not faith, that's presumption. Consider this example. Let's say you've got a huge debt that needs to be paid and you don't have the money to pay it. Presumption believes that God is going to pay off all my debts. Faith believes that God is able to pay off all my debts. Does faith require that He will? No, in fact faith may require that God will provide you with a job that will allow you to pay all your debts.
Bottom line: Living by faith means living each moment in full confidence that the all-powerful God of heaven and earth "is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think" (Eph. 3:20). Don't ever presume to know that God will do; just live your life in full confidence that He is more than able to do all things for the glory of His name.
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