James A. Smith Sr. 2007 Editorial Archive
January
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'Gay rights' in Okeechobee's schools
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 11, 2007
The unrelenting campaign to gain governmental endorsement of the homosexual lifestyle has found its way to Florida's Okeechobee School District. If the homosexual agenda can succeed in rural Okeechobee it cannot be stopped anywhere in America. -
The Carter-Clinton Baptists
Editorial
JAMES A SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 18, 2007
There he goes again – and this time, former president Jimmy Carter has brought along former president Bill Clinton as a “cheerleader.” -
Legalized abortion in America at 34
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published January 25, 2007
This week Americans on both sides of the abortion debate are marking the 34th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that mandated abortion on demand in our land and plunged the nation into a seemingly never-ending political struggle over the nature of human life and the role of government in protecting human life. As pro-lifers consider the state of abortion in America in 2007, we would do well to be reminded of historical examples of other social efforts that may show us the way to success in our day.
February
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In praise of Governor Crist (and Speaker Rubio)
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 8, 2007
Contrary to the fears of Tallahassee pro-life leaders—and to the consternation of embryonic stem cell research advocates—Florida Gov. Charlie Crist announced Jan. 31 that he would not support legislative efforts to provide state funding for embryonic stem cell research (ESC), in spite of campaign pledges to favor such efforts. Crist's reversal was a huge surprise to both sides of the debate, but it wasn't exactly a change in position. Crist has proposed in his budget $20 million of state funds for stem cell research from non-embryonic sources-other than embryonic stem cell lines in existence in August 2001 when President George W. Bush issued a ban on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. (For more on Crist's announcement, see page one.) -
Congrats, Coach Dungy!
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 8, 2007
I'm not an Indianapolis Colts fan—after all, they're in the same division as our Jacksonville Jaguars. So, while it's tough to root for the Colts, I am a Tony Dungy fan. -
Amazing Grace: A film Christians should see
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published February 15, 2007
It's not very often that Hollywood positively portrays evangelical Christians, but such is the case in Amazing Grace, a major motion picture about William Wilberforce's extraordinary leadership in the abolition of slavery. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the slave trade's demise in Great Britain, Amazing Grace will be released Feb. 23 in theaters nationwide. March
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A lesson from Stetson University
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 1, 2007
Every now and then a helpful reminder concerning the importance of contending earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3) comes from the most unlikely sources. Such was the case last week when I saw an Orlando Sentinel article about Stetson University—the formerly Florida Baptist school in DeLand that long ago abandoned its distinctive Christian witness.
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The 'miracle baby' and execution ethics
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 8, 2007
A "miracle baby" in Miami and a report by the governor's commission studying lethal injections provides stark evidence of our society's failure to understand the sanctity of human life. In both cases—one at the dawn of life and the other at the tragic end of life—biblical standards of morality gives the best guidance to our confused culture, if only we would heed them. -
Florida needs to sing a new song
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 15, 2007
I'm pretty sure I've never been accused of being politically correct or an advocate of multiculturalism. That may change with this editorial. -
The new missionary at NAMB's helm
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 29, 2007
The unanimous election of Geoff Hammond as the new president of the North American Mission Board was clearly a relief to trustees who met March 20-21 in Alpharetta, Ga., for the special called meeting. If early indications hold true, the choice of Hammond to lead Southern Baptists' missions agency focusing on the United States and Canada also will likely be a relief to Southern
Baptists across the nation. April
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He is risen. He is risen indeed!
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 5, 2007
This Lord's Day Christians across the United States and around the world will celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus. As the Scriptures report and believers from the first century forward have testified, on the third day after his burial, Jesus arose from the grave leaving behind an empty tomb. -
Tallahassee's gambling problem
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published April 26, 2007
All the tell-tale signs are there—the inability to deal with reality, the belief that the big pay-off is imminent, the delusion that they can indeed get something for nothing, the obsession with money. That's right, the politicians in Tallahassee have a gambling addiction and it appears few are aware of their problem. May
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A legacy worth leaving
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 3, 2007
If we were to be honest with ourselves, we all would have to admit that there are times in our lives when we wonder if we are making a difference. Does what we do on a day-to-day basis have eternal consequences that matter in the Kingdom of God? What is the legacy that will remain when we leave this world? -
Meaning of 'expansion' in Gov. Crist's dictionary
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 10, 2007
Now, it's up to Gov. Charlie Crist.
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Remembering Who sends the rain
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 17, 2007
It's impossible not to notice Florida's drought conditions and the wildfires which have been ignited by the dearth of rain in our state, but I got a personal, up-close experience about the magnitude and urgency of the matter this past weekend while traveling to a preaching engagement at the vibrant fellowship at First Baptist Church in Esto in Holmes County. -
My charge to Lauren upon her graduation
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 24, 2007
EDITOR'S NOTE: On May 20, friends and family gathered to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation. We are grateful to those who attended, a significant number of whom are members of our wonderful church family—GracePointe Baptist Church, a year and one-half old church plant in St. Augustine. My comments to Lauren are reprinted here to honor her at this key time in her life. -
The IMB doctrinal guidelines deserve SBC support
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published May 31, 2007
It's time to move on. June
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What the BF&M statement means—and doesn't mean
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 21, 2007
Perhaps the most widely discussed action of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in San Antonio last week was the affirmation by messengers of a SBC Executive Committee statement on the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, our denomination's confession of faith. Certain persons—in spin control overdrive—are claiming this action means SBC entities cannot go beyond the BF&M when evaluating prospective denominational employees or establishing doctrinal policies. -
Marketing Hollywood from the pulpit?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 28, 2007
I’ve had a growing unease ever since the phenomenal box office success of Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” that Hollywood is increasingly seeing churches as an untapped, target-rich environment to promote movies that it believes may be appealing to Christians — and subtly turning those churches into de facto marketing agents. “Evan Almighty,” a modern spin on the biblical story of Noah released last weekend, has turned my unease into outright concern. -
The passing of a legend
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published June 28, 2007
I didn’t know Robert Gee Witty. In fact, I only met him once. Still, anyone familiar with theological education in Southern Baptist life will know about Witty — the founder of Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville and widely acknowledged innovator in distance education. July
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Gambling expansion underway, thanks to Gov. Crist
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published July 5, 2007
I never believed him. August
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‘Dr. Death’ at U.F.
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 2, 2007
The “Rosa Parks” of euthanasia is coming to Gainesville in October to proselytize for his cause at the invitation of a University of Florida student organization. But Jack Kevorkian is not coming just to spread his morally repugnant message of physician-assisted suicide. He’ll be paid $50,000 for his trouble. -
Do you value Florida Baptist Witness?
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 9, 2007
- Florida Baptist Witness gives generous coverage throughout the year to the various missions causes of Southern Baptists in our state, across the nation and around the world. We are privileged to have the opportunity to tell the story of God's work among us and in doing so we hope that our readers are better informed and motivated to make a difference for Christ.
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In praise of 'modern hymns'
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 16, 2007
Keith and Kristyn Getty, a couple from Northern Ireland, may be showing the way out of the "worship wars" that sometimes divides churches. It's their mission to create "modern hymns" that can unite generations by combining the doctrinal richness of hymns with contemporary music. This is a project worthy of our attention and support. -
A politician worthy of your praise
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 23, 2007
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle happens to believe that sex acts should not be permitted in his city's public restrooms. For that "bigoted" belief and others that have offended South Florida's—indeed, the nation's—homosexual lobby, Naugle is under intense criticism, including protest rallies, a recall effort and the scorn of Broward County elected officials. -
Michael Vick, the Jacksonville Jaguars and moral hypocrisy
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 30, 2007
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Soon-to-be-former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has admitted to horrendous acts related to the gruesome and illegal practice of dog-fighting. Given the wall-to-wall media coverage detailing his ghastly deeds it is unnecessary to re-hash them here.
Vick is a criminal deserving of every bit of punishment he will receive when he's sentenced Dec. 10—and much more. I get that—and nothing that follows in this editorial is intended to diminish in any way the seriousness of his deplorable crimes or the justice that is being meted out on Vick.
September
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Seeing Florida through Jesus' eyes
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published September 6, 2007
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The offense of Jesus’ name
EDITORIAL
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published September 13, 2007
The name of Jesus Christ can be uttered in a curse in a public place and no one takes notice. But if Jesus is invoked in a sincere prayer in the presence of those who don’t call Him Lord, a controversy is likely to erupt with great offense taken by non-Christians claiming that religious pluralism and tolerance have been violated by the Christian. -
Gambling with our future
EDITORIAL
JAMES A. SMITH SR
Executive Editor
Published September 27, 2007
When the Legislature meets in special session next month to balance the state’s budget, don’t be surprised if more expanded gambling is put on the table by Gov. Charlie Crist as one element to close the approximately $1 billion deficit. Whatever short-term budget-balancing remedy gambling revenues provide, it’s a bad bet for Florida’s future. October
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A glimmer of hope in slowing gambling expansion
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 4, 2007
As the Legislature begins its budget-cutting special session this week, a seven-page ruling by the Florida Supreme Court handed down Sept. 27 should put the brakes on any prospective "compact" between the governor and the Seminoles permitting the tribe expanded gambling at its casinos in exchange for tax revenues to help balance the state's budget. -
Love and honor your pastor
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published October 11, 2007
Why would anyone want to be a pastor? It has got to be one of the most thankless jobs around. Pastors are always on the firing line, always "on call," subject sometimes to unruly church members who are certain they know how to do the job better. They are generally poorly compensated and live in a fish bowl under constant scrutiny. And those are just Mondays! November
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A eulogy for my dad
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 8, 2007
The month of September ended with my Dad having entered the hospital with nagging back problems in the wake of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease two months earlier. By the end of October, Floyd E. Smith had entered Glory, shocking my family with his sudden departure from this side of eternity. Needless to say, October was a blur. -
Crist's deal with Seminoles is bad for Florida
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 22, 2007
The Seminole Tribe of Florida has successfully negotiated in less than one year with Gov. Charlie Crist what it failed to achieve with two prior governors (one from each political party) in more than 16 years—a compact which allows it to vastly expand its gambling empire, even permitting enterprises at its casinos that are prohibited elsewhere in the state. The supposedly anti-gambling governor—who promised on the campaign trail, including in an interview with me last summer, he would oppose any expansion of gambling in Florida—is now attempting to preside over the biggest and most dangerous expansion of gambling in Florida's history. December
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Sub-standard science standards
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 6, 2007
It's an understatement to say much has been written about evolution since Charles Darwin articulated the theory in his groundbreaking 1859 book, The Origin of Species. Considerable controversy has ensued and in recent decades a compelling body of literature has arisen critiquing the theory, undermining central tenets to natural selection and enraging the overwhelming majority of scientists who continue to cling to Darwinian evolution with a religious-like devotion. -
A 'Great Commission Resurgence'
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 13, 2007
What does the intractable, often contentious debate about Calvinism in Southern Baptist life have to do with the Great Commission? A great deal, as far as Danny Akin is concerned. -
Our ‘live and let live’ governor
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published December 20, 2007
What would you expect the response to be of a person who signed a petition supporting a citizen initiative protecting traditional marriage in the state constitution when told that the effort has succeeded and Floridians will vote on the proposed amendment in November?
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