Favorite Places

Favorite Places

Five months ago, I began a series of essays on my favorite things. I won’t be surprised if you’ve forgotten. But I’ll reproduce the opening paragraph, which took the form of an announcement. Let me give fair notice. I intend to begin a series,...
Favorite Places

Preaching Politics

Some people think that politics should be left out of the pulpit. One small, Midwestern denomination articulates as one of its “fundamental principles” that partisan political preaching is “discountenanced.” The sentiment is echoed in many...
Favorite Places

65 and Counting

Please travel back in time with me many, many ages ago to the First Baptist Church of Granite Falls, MN. The day is June 3, 1961. Along with family members and friends and in the presence of God, Ray Pratt and Marie Pates exchanged wedding vows, promising lifelong...
Favorite Places

Association and Autonomy

The following essay was published in 1995 in Ruminations. Recent pronouncements in the Southern Baptist convention have underlined its current applicability. An Association is a voluntary society formed and maintained for mutual help among the churches...
Favorite Places

The Only Begotten

The apostle John concludes his examination of the Word in John 1:15–18. He states that John the Baptist testified about the Word, who existed beforehand. He recognizes the Word as the source of grace and truth. He names the Word specifically as Jesus Christ....