By Marv Knox Our Bible study class has been reading from the Old Testament prophet Amos in the weeks leading up to Easter. This is the season the church calls Lent, a period of preparation for commemorating Jesus’ death, burial…
This Advent season, just you wait
By Marv Knox We need Advent particularly badly this year, and not simply because it’s a prelude to Christmas. Advent marks the beginning of the church year and starts four Sundays before Christmas. Advent takes its name from the Latin…
The Book, by any other name …
By Marv Knox Just before Sunday morning worship a few years ago, an associational director of missions sidled close to me so I alone could hear his important inquiry: “Do you intend to preach from the King James Version of…
Democracy, principles and pragmatism
By Marv Knox The U.S. response to revolution in Egypt raises vital questions for Christians, particularly American Christians, as we ponder our faith-informed responsibility to our world. Across two centuries, Americans have proclaimed allegiance to democracy. For Christians and Jews,…
An inevitable test of Christian faith
By Marv Knox Twenty years ago, a good friend and neighbor languished in a hospital bed, dying of leukemia at age 36. He grew up in the Deep South, the product of a Christian home and a Baptist church. He…
Truth, ‘Baptist Holy War’ casualties — and ABP
By Marv Knox “Truth is the first casualty of war,” the old adage proclaims. Consequently, a couple of truth-tellers became early victims of the Baptist Holy War. Twenty years ago this summer, the Southern Baptist Convention’s so-called “Conservative Resurgence” secured…
A few words for the Class of 2010
By Marv Knox The strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” have been wafting through auditoriums, arenas and gymnasiums for several weeks now. They will echo for a while longer, as schools — from kindergarten through university — conclude the academic year…
Obedience, identification, hope reasons for believer’s baptism
By Marv Knox “In obedience to our Lord’s command, I baptize you … .” For four centuries, this baptismal formula has echoed across creek banks and through Baptist sanctuaries around the globe. It reflects a central reason most Baptists practice…
A Baptist giant, fallen
By Marv Knox Baptists lost one of our true giants when Cecil Sherman died April 17. Cecil Sherman will go down in history as the first coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. At the time, it was a fledgling group…