In the Witness this week

Is charismatic theology historically Baptist? The current debate in SBC life concerning ‘private prayer language’ may hinge on whose Baptist history is correct JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published February 15, 2007: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Can Southern Baptists adopt elements of charismatic theology and still be considered Baptist?

Photo courtesy Bill Thompson, FBC, Jacksonville

Jerry Vines (left), retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, accepts an engraved glass tribute from the church’s senior pastor, Mac Brunson, Feb. 4 at the Sunday evening session of the 21st annual Pastors’ Conference, a tradition which Vines began. Along with the tribute, Brunson also, on behalf of the church, bestowed on Vines the title of ‘pastor emeritus.”

Vines named 'pastor emeritus' at FBC JAX Mac Brunson leads first JAX Pastors' Conference Published February 15, 2007: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Jerry Vines, retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, took to his former pulpit Feb. 4-this time as a guest at the Pastors' Conference he founded 21 years ago. And when the former Southern Baptist Convention president left the pulpit, he officially became the pastor emeritus of First Baptist Jacksonville.
Florida Baptist disaster relief effort shifts to recovery after Feb. 2 'Groundhog Day tornadoes' Published February 15, 2007: LEESBURG (FBW)-Disaster relief crews have finished their emergency work after the "Groundhog Day tornadoes" of Feb. 2, and are shifting into long-term recovery projects, according to Fritz Wilson, director of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief. A volunteer work force of around two dozen remains active of the more than 492 who completed clean-up projects in the week after the storms.

Opinion

Editorial

Amazing Grace: A film Christians should see JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: 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.

Point of View

The tragedy of uselessness FRANK S. PAGE Baptist Press: Our Lord Jesus has often been called the Great Teacher. For one to be a great teacher means one has developed the skills of communication to an extraordinary level.
A pink monkey reminder of God's faithfulness JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor: I had to smile. Restless and somewhat bored after spending hours waiting for me to return from major surgery last month, my daughter visited the hospital gift shop and found the perfect present. A pink monkey. And not just any pink monkey. This fellow looked just like the dozens I had received from various students of mine throughout my teaching years. Except for one thing-it was pink.
Wiping out Christians: Brutality in Burma CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: A few years ago, I told "BreakPoint" listeners and readers the story of Burma's Christians, in particular the ethnic group called the Chin. As I said, "for many years, crosses dotted the mountaintops and villages in the Chins' homeland," which made sense in a region where 90 percent of the population is Christian.

Cartoon

Cartoon

Florida

Florida News

Vines named 'pastor emeritus' at FBC JAX Mac Brunson leads first JAX Pastors' Conference: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Jerry Vines, retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, took to his former pulpit Feb. 4-this time as a guest at the Pastors' Conference he founded 21 years ago. And when the former Southern Baptist Convention president left the pulpit, he officially became the pastor emeritus of First Baptist Jacksonville.
Florida Baptist disaster relief effort shifts to recovery after Feb. 2 'Groundhog Day tornadoes': LEESBURG (FBW)-Disaster relief crews have finished their emergency work after the "Groundhog Day tornadoes" of Feb. 2, and are shifting into long-term recovery projects, according to Fritz Wilson, director of Florida Baptist Disaster Relief. A volunteer work force of around two dozen remains active of the more than 492 who completed clean-up projects in the week after the storms.
New 'unnamed' radio show adds to BCF line-up: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. central time, students, faculty, staff, and the general public are invited to listen to the newest addition to The Baptist College of Florida's WFBU radio station.
First Baptist Paisley reaches neighbors after tornadoes: PAISLEY (FBW)—First Baptist Church in Paisley is continuing a long tradition of community service by providing for its neighbors in the aftermath of the Feb. 2 outbreak of tornadoes. The congregation's hard work in disaster relief is paying eternal dividends, according to Pastor John Roszak
Live Oak volunteers receive 'ten-fold' of what they gave: LIVE OAK (FBW)—Robin Doyle and her father Jim Eagler, members of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Live Oak, ministered to families in Paisley after what has become known as the "Groundhog Day tornadoes" which struck Central Florida Feb. 2.
'NFL Experience' shows youth minister value of conversation: MIAMI (BP)—Jeanty Danmervil got a real NFL experience when Super Bowl XLI came to Miami.

Florida News Briefs

Florida Christian Fellowship of the Blind conference Mar. 5-9
South Florida Sunday School Convention

National

National News

Is charismatic theology historically Baptist? The current debate in SBC life concerning ‘private prayer language’ may hinge on whose Baptist history is correct: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Can Southern Baptists adopt elements of charismatic theology and still be considered Baptist?
The Sandy Creek-Charleston Baptist analogy: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—The Sandy Creek-Charleston Baptists analogy invoked by Dwight McKissic in defense of wider latitude in Southern Baptist life for charismatic theology was first employed by a Baptist church historian in a lecture series that took place in the early days of the Conservative Resurgence-a movement that sought to return the SBC to conservative theology and which the historian opposed.
Theologians offer views on 'private prayer language': FORT WORTH, TEXAS (SBT/FBW)—In addition to the historical claims on which Dwight McKissic rests his call for "latitude" among Southern Baptists on tongues and private prayer language, the pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, also has cited scholarly affirmation for his interpretation of key biblical passages, especially the Apostle Paul's treatment of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14.

Features

Media Montage

Film about Wilberforce called inspirational: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—William Wilberforce isn't a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.
Mom cries for end of child slavery, teen abolitionist promotes cause: MIAMI (FBW)—A young girl named Rita looks up, dark eyes wary, mouth unsmiling. She has few clothes and despite being 12 years old, looks no more than five. Malnourished and overworked, Rita was rescued from selling water on the streets of Niger, hundreds of miles from her village in Benin, Africa, seven years after a relative sold her into slavery.
Abolitionists sing Amazing Grace Feb 18

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 25: Show Me the Proof John 6:30-31, 35-36, 41-47, 66-69: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 4: Jesus Forgives Our Sins John 8:2-11, 30-36: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 25: The Value of Godly Leadership Esther 8-10: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 4: Eulogizing a Saving God 1 Peter 1:1-12: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.