Barnabas File

Time for full confession.     Until I read All My Knotted-Up Life , I had never read anything by Beth Moore.     To the best of my knowledge, I have never heard her speak.     Of course, I knew who she was.     I understood that she was Lifeway Resources’ (formerly the Baptist Sunday School Board) most popular and profitable author. I also knew that she had a significant reputation as a Bible teacher and speaker.     It also was clear to me that she had finally decided she could no longer remain silent in a denomination that refused to address sexual abuse and the submission of women.   As a result, I came to this book with few preconceptions.  To be honest, I found it both painful and insightful.  Painful because I can identify with the structures that failed women like Moore (I was even part of them).  Insightful because of her willingness to be honest about her own complicity in these structures.   This is not an autobiography; it is a memoir.  A memoir is, by its nature, an interpr

In his farewell address to the nation, President Dwight Eisenhower was emboldened to make this statement:   “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”   Some have said that, if he had a little courage, he would have termed this the “congressional-military-industrial complex.”  Even so, it was an unexpected warning from one who had a first-hand take on this alliance as both a military commander and an elected leader.  He had certainly benefited personally from this alliance.   I find myself in a similar situation.  I was formed by and benefited from a religious-industrial complex.  It was called the Southern Baptist Convention.  In my rearview mirror look, the organization that bears that name today is very different from the one that was formative for me.   As a young person growing up in

Words have impact.     In a blog post , pastor Carey Nieuwhof comments, “ Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me   is a lie.  I’ve seen people whose lives have changed direction because someone told them they didn’t have what it takes, so they stopped acting like they did.”  On the other hand, there are those who have succeeded because someone gave words of encouragement.   When one wishes to change or challenge a person or a culture, the use of words is pivotal.  Take for example, the word “patriot.” I found two definitions of the word that appear paradoxical:   One is “a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.”  Another is  “ a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.”   In recent days, it appears that some of our leaders have opted to adopt the second definition over the first.  In so doing, they attempt

A rule of life provides a framework or pattern for a group of believers to walk alongside and encourage each other to pursue those practices that lead to spiritual health and faithful service.    Here are few things to consider as your faith community works together to articulate a rule of life.   First, the process requires spiritual preparation and discernment.  Believers become more focused and aligned as they spend time in prayer individually and corporately.  One approach would be to ask those who are developing a rule of life to set aside a specific time every day to pray using Romans 12:1-2 as a guide:   I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters,   by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual   worship.     Do not be conformed to this world,   but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (New Revised Stand