In the Witness this week

Reccord resigns as NAMB president, citing ‘philosophical and methodological differences’
Published April 20, 2006

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago.

Blackaby to chair May 4 National Day of Prayer
Published April 20, 2006

WASHINGTON (BP)–As the honorary chairman of this year’s National Day of Prayer, Henry Blackaby will address hundreds of government officials and other dignitaries on Thursday, May 4.

Did Jesus marry Mary Magdalene?
Published April 20, 2006

GRACEVILLE (FBW)–Dan Brown, in his best seller The Da Vinci Code, sets forth the view that Jesus married Mary Magdalene. His fictional characters, Harvard professor Robert Langdon and Sir Teabing, offer the following evidence in support of the marriage (pp. 243-250). First, Jewish society considered male singleness as a violation of social decorum. Second, if Jesus were a bachelor, one of the canonical gospels would have mentioned his singleness. Third, the Gospel of Philip and other Gnostic Gospels explicitly affirm the marriage between Jesus and Mary. Fourth, the Gospel of Mary records an encounter in Mary Magdalene’s words in which Peter expressed jealousy because Mary received special revelation; Jesus intended to found the church upon special teaching given to Mary. Fourth, the Catholic Church covered up the marriage by vilifying Mary as a prostitute.

Opinion

Point of View

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility: How should Southern Baptists respond to this divine mystery
DANIEL L. AKIN
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Few issues are more likely to ignite a lively debate than a discussion of the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest of this subject in Southern Baptist life, and for this we should be grateful. The Conservative Resurgence which began in 1979 was about the authority and teachings of the Bible. Those who believe the Bible to be the inerrant and infallible Word of God will take its doctrines seriously. Issues like predestination and election, free will and human responsibility will naturally require our careful study. Thankfully, our theological discussions are not those of other denominations in our day. Issues like the deity of Christ, the exclusivity of the Gospel, open theism, abortion and homosexuality are settled for Southern Baptists because of our commitment to the clear teachings of Scripture.

BREAKPOINT: Generation killed by abortion leads to immigration crisis
CHARLES COLSON
Breakpoint

Americans have witnessed over the past weeks the largest public protest since the Vietnam War: millions marching to protest Congress’s failure last week to enact immigration reform. So many immigrants left their jobs to parade that many businesses in major cities were shut down.

Thirty years later, Christianity still works
JOHN AVANT
Baptist Press

Are you ready for some good news today? I mean really great news? Well, read this incredible story sent to me by Jean White, one of our team members at the North American Mission Board. This is what is happening through Southern Baptist missionaries and leaders. This is what Southern Baptists are really about when we follow Jesus. Let’s join Ron in getting passionate about the right thing – the main thing – making evangelism good news again.

The ‘hypocritical’ oath
DON WALTON
Time for Truth Ministries

The New York Times recently reported that judges are putting “up potentially insurmountable roadblocks to the use of lethal injections to execute condemned inmates.” According to the Times, judges are increasingly finding that lethal injections cause condemned criminals to suffer “agonizing executions.” Thus, judges are beginning to insist that medical doctors oversee executions. According to Dr. Jonathan I. Groner, a professor of surgery at Ohio State University, the judiciary’s growing insistence that physicians supervise executions by lethal injection will render such executions in the future “difficult, if not impossible to perform.” This, Dr Groner argues, is due to the fact that doctors are prohibited from participating in executions by their Hippocratic Oath and the American Medical Association’s code of ethics.

Cartoon

Cartoon
JOE McKEEVER

Florida

Florida News

Missiologist urges churches to be culturally relevant

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Southern Baptists may have decided the battle for biblical faithfulness, said missiologist Ed Stetzer, but he warned that the future will be “bleak” if the organized church does not begin to break cultural barriers and become relevant to its community.

Jim Henry’s practical truths inspire Convention employees

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Saying, “I came to be your pastor for a few hours today,” Jim Henry, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church of Orlando, led Florida Baptist Convention employees in a time of spiritual enrichment and renewal April 6 in Jacksonville.

Snowy spring break warms BCF students on mission in Yekaterinburg, Russia

YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA (BCF)–Four Baptist College of Florida (BCF) students traded the warm white sands of northwest Florida’s beaches for the cold, snow-blanketed streets of Yekaterinburg, Russia during their March 20-24 spring break.

BCF to host re-dedication of historic R.G. Lee Chapel

GRACEVILLE (BCF)–The Baptist College of Florida will celebrate the re-dedication of its R.G. Lee Chapel with a special service May 5 at 10:30 a.m.

Skits highlight evangelism at children’s conference

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Presenting the Gospel with clarity and leading children to Christ with integrity were the cornerstones emphasized during the National Children’s Evangelism Conference (CE3) at North Jacksonville Baptist Church where nearly 200 energetic children’s workers met April 7-8.

BCF commissions 57 students for summer missions

GRACEVILLE (BCF)–Missions is both frustrating and satisfying, but “what a joy,” The Baptist College of Florida associate professor of evangelism and missions, Robin Jumper, told summer missionaries in the college’s spring commissioning service.

Florida News Briefs

A guide to church transitions

Conf. gives Sunday School helps

National

National News

Reccord resigns as NAMB president, citing ‘philosophical and methodological differences’

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago.

Blackaby to chair May 4 National Day of Prayer

WASHINGTON (BP)–As the honorary chairman of this year’s National Day of Prayer, Henry Blackaby will address hundreds of government officials and other dignitaries on Thursday, May 4.

SBC president, Florida trustees respond to Reccord’s resignation

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – The North American Mission Board may now be in transition, but Southern Baptists must not waver in their commitment to reach the continent for Christ, SBC President Bobby Welch said April 17 after the resignation of NAMB President Bob Reccord.

‘Everyone Can’ at forefront as annual meeting nears

LINCOLNTON, N.C. (BP)–More than 800 people gathered at an associational baptism rally in Lincolnton, N.C., April 3 to see a dozen people baptized and several more make decisions to follow Christ. Bobby Welch believes the rally shows that momentum is gaining toward the Southern Baptist Convention’s next annual meeting.

Univ. Prof leads students to destroy pro-life display

WASHINGTON (BP)–Freedom of speech to at least one college professor means the ability to destroy someone else’s right of expression, especially if it communicates a pro-life message.

National News Briefs

Israeli Supreme Court to hear ‘gay marriage’ case

U.S. appeals court panel hears case challenging DOMA

Minn. defeats amendment

Features

Media Montage

Did Jesus marry Mary Magdalene?

GRACEVILLE (FBW)–Dan Brown, in his best seller The Da Vinci Code, sets forth the view that Jesus married Mary Magdalene. His fictional characters, Harvard professor Robert Langdon and Sir Teabing, offer the following evidence in support of the marriage (pp. 243-250). First, Jewish society considered male singleness as a violation of social decorum. Second, if Jesus were a bachelor, one of the canonical gospels would have mentioned his singleness. Third, the Gospel of Philip and other Gnostic Gospels explicitly affirm the marriage between Jesus and Mary. Fourth, the Gospel of Mary records an encounter in Mary Magdalene’s words in which Peter expressed jealousy because Mary received special revelation; Jesus intended to found the church upon special teaching given to Mary. Fourth, the Catholic Church covered up the marriage by vilifying Mary as a prostitute.

The Testimony provides modern Hebrew translation, illustrations for Israeli youth

RISHON LETSION, Israel (BP)–The Old Testament was written originally in Hebrew. So you might think that the millions of Hebrew-speaking youth in Israel would be able to read and understand it.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 30: You Have the Power
Acts 2:1-4, 22-24, 32-33, 36-41

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

May 7: Ruth: Gracious Caring
Ruth 1:15-17; 2:2-7, 10-12; 4:13-17

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville

Explore the Bible

April 30: Worship No Other
Isaiah 44:1–48:22

Troy Bush is the minister of evangelism and missions at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.

May 7: Recognize God’s Ways
Isaiah 49:1–53:12

Troy Bush is the minister of evangelism and missions at Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola.