Opinion Column

Message to Millennials from a Millennial

By Joseph Caldwell Youth Pastor in Philadelphia Confederate flag. Same sex unions. Abortions. How many more things are plastered all over the news and our Facebook news feeds right now? I do not write a message to millennials as some older sage dispersing my wisdom onto a younger, more naive generation. I am a millennial myself who is terrified by what I see. And, I’m not talking about the things

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One Christian’s Struggle With Assisted Death

By Kenny Cooper president, TBAH When asked about my feelings regarding life-ending measures for those with terminal illnesses, my off-hand and truthful answer was that I struggle with both how I feel and what should be done. Over a career of 20 years as a pastor and now 20 years in residential and health services for senior adults, I have witnessed many terminally ill persons — and their families —

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Our Culture Is Pursuing a ‘War on Life’

By Jim Collier Pastor in Memphis My initial response when contemplating this article was anger. To consider that the most heinous of crimes, the murder of the unborn innocent, is being supported by our culture enraged me. To compound that evil, their bodies are being desecrated and dismembered for profit. My only response could be anger. But, because I belong to Jesus, I’m not permitted to be angry in my

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Death With Dignity — In God’s Timing

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector This article was supposed to be about one of my spiritual heroes — Jack Lewis. I suppose it still is, but not the way it originally was intended. Jack came to Tulip Grove Baptist Church as minister of education in a part-time role in 1995 and joined the staff full time a year later. He “retired” a couple of years ago and became

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God & Assisted Suicide: What’s the Answer?

By Randy C. Davis TBC executive director The scenario plays itself out thousands of times a day. A family member or friend is racked with a terminal illness, suffering unbearably, and the question comes up: Should they have the right to physician assisted suicide? That question gained prominence 20-plus years ago with Dr. Jack Kevorkian being brought to trial for helping approximately 130 people end their lives. Right to die

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Continue to Teach Biblical Marriage

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector I continue to mourn the decision made by five Supreme Court justices on June 26. Those five judges redefined marriage as society has known it since creation. God made it clear in Genesis that marriage is between one man and one woman. That’s the definition I have known for 57 years and I don’t plan on changing it now, no matter what the

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‘How Should We Then Live?’

By Larry Robertson Sr. Pastor, Hilldale Baptist Church, Clarksville The ride ahead is going to get bumpy, so make sure that your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions, your seat belts are securely fastened, and all your carry-on items are securely stowed. The Supreme Court’s recent decision legalizing same-sex marriage has changed the landscape of America in unprecedented ways, but this journey has just begun. And

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When the Media Call, Are You Ready?

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC Picture this scenario from a pastor’s perspective. A same-sex couple contacts you on Thursday and asks you to officiate their wedding ceremony. You politely decline. Friday the couple is making the rounds on the local news. In their mind, you’re a narrow-minded bigot violating their 14th Amendment rights. Your cell phone blows up with interview requests. You decline, and by Sunday when you

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Youth Ministers and the SCOTUS Ruling

By Chris Turner Director of Communications, TBC BRENTWOOD — The intersection of a biblical worldview and the philosophy of a secular culture often converge in the youth minister’s office, and there has been no greater collision in that intersection than the recent 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states. “Youth ministers are faced with helping parents and teenagers sort through the reality of a

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Tips for Answering the Tough Questions

By Vicki Hulsey TBC Childhood Ministry Specialist When children are given more opportunities to discover God’s plan for marriage, their tendency to ask tough questions may increase as they see people they know choosing to live a lifestyle that is different than God’s design for marriage. Below are some tips to share with parents when answering tough questions: Take each question seriously. A child who feels embarrassed may be uncomfortable

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