Sorry for a post that is mostly shameless self-promotion, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I have started posting as a contributer over at the hub of the SBC blogosphere, SBC Voices. My first article, “The Error of Manufacturing Holiness,” was published today and is a personal reflection upon the words of the prophet Haggai in Haggai 2.12. Here is a preview of the opening paragraph:
Some of the most eye-opening indictments on our own failings as the Church come when we look back to the warnings that the Old Testament prophets delivered to Israel. One such warning that struck me acutely is found in the book of Haggai. In chapter 2, verse 12, Haggai asks the priests presiding over the Jews returning from exile a question about whether holiness can be transferred to an object by simply bringing it into contact with something God has made holy; a question to which the priests plainly answer “No.” This is so pertinent today because we find ourselves just as guilty as the Jews of trying to become holy just by contacting holy items, be they sacred spaces, hallowed music, devout prayers and behaviors, or any of a number of other “religious” activities. This is unhealthy and is, I believe, a major contributor to much of the legalism and liberalism that infests the Church today.
The rest of the article can be found here.
As a side note, besides checking out my article, SBC Voices is an excellent place to see what opinions (and controversies) are making their way to the virtual front page of SBC life. They currently list over 435 blogs run by SBC bloggers from around the world so that we can keep in touch and see what our brothers all over are saying. This is an excellent resource and is well worth the look.
