[M]any baptists/Baptists have forgotten their own theology of the sacraments/ordinances and have practiced them inconsistently with our history and theology. – Roger Olson
I have found this article by Dr. Olson, professor of theology at Baylor University, most interesting. It is specifically limited to his fellow Baptists, but has much to commend it to a broader audience. Dr. Olson’s insights into receiving Holy Communion are particularly useful. He correctly shows that there is no biblical warrant to demand baptism prior to receiving Communion.
Olson’s main thrust is about the decline in Baptist churches to remain true to their theology of the sacraments and either not think about the issue, or think about it sloppily. Let me reinforce the point with my own observations as I have witnessed a variety Baptist or “non-denominational” (ex-Baptists) churches do baptism. One church in particular really stunned me when the minister immersed the teen aspirant, but said no words, as in the classic Trinitarian formula, or even the United Pentecostal “Onto the name of Jesus.” Nothing. That is an extreme case, but points to what Olson complains about. I hope many people read Olson’s article and give more thought to their sacramental ministry.
India is a complex and diverse nation. People are trapped in tradition, superstition, and religions that do not promise any hope of eternal life. Hindus believe in re-incarnation: that one is re-born several times. While westerners go in search of truth through meditation, and follow Hindu spiritual leaders, their teachings have not helped the average…
In this review essay by seasoned missionary-scholar Dave Johnson, he takes a more nuanced approach to globalism, colonialism and the Filipinos efforts to contextualize the gospel and Church practices in the Philippines. Hannah Keziah Agustin, “Colonialism Brought Evangelicalism to the Philippines. Churches Are Now Untangling the Two: Five Filipino Christian leaders weigh in on the…
R. Scott Rodin, The Steward Leader: Transforming People, Organizations and Communities (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010), 197 pages, ISBN 9780830838783. The Steward Leader begins by telling the reader that the book is not about the “how” of leadership but about the “who”—who God is and who we are as stewards in God’s kingdom. Author Scott…
Here are two of my recent blogs that have caught a lot of conversation. “Meaningful Youth Ministry – Context Is King“ About the four sectors of meaningfulness in a teen’s life: Cultural, Personal, Religious/Theological, and Family. It can be easy to stay within the confines of the Church. But, meaningful Youth Ministry is present where…
Ministry leaders from across the United States react to the June 26 ruling of the Supreme Court recognizing same-sex marriage. Roger E. Olson blogs: “And Now … What Conservative Churches Must Do.” Churches that believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman now must decide what to do–in light of the…
Randy Frazee, The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 245 pages. Frazee’s book started off with three forewords; one by Larry Crabb, George Gallup Jr. and Dallas Willard. Its back cover contained words of praise from Willard, Ken Blanchard, J. I. Packer, Marshall Shelly and John C. Maxwell. I…
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