Archive
KevCast 24 – Profaned Pulpit: The Jack Schaap Story
Listen to the streaming audio here or download the mp3 here.
On today’s podcast we are once again taking a gaze into the dark underbelly of fundamentalism. I know some might be offended right off the bat with that description, but we have to admit there is a dark side that many in the Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement wish were not there. While much of this has been swept under the rug in years gone by, this age of both mass media and social media, secrets are harder to hide. Much light has been shed on horrible theology, pastoral misconduct, scandal, and even physical abuse. Right in the middle of this mess stands the First Baptist Church of Hammond, IN. Just months ago Pastor Jack Schaap was taken away in handcuffs as an affair with a 16 year old girl was discovered. As bad as this tragedy is, we see this not as an isolated incident but as a long train of abuses in a culture of pastor-worship and even includes Schaap’s predecessor at First Baptist, the late Jack Hyles. Here to talk about this issue is Dr. Jerry Kaifetz, author of the book Profaned Pulpit: The Jack Schaap Story.
Here are just a few of the questions posed to Dr. Kaifetz:
- What about Jack Schaap in particular? You were his friend and business partner. He even did your wedding ceremony. You spoke highly of him as a homiletics professor. What happened?
- Many Fundamentalists are quick to charge that this is not a denomination, association, movement or as 20/20 called it, a “network.” Yet, these same people are quick to brag about their own fundamentalist credentials in terms of pastors they’ve preached for, colleges they attended or recommend and those personal conversations with the likes of Lee Roberson, John R. Rice or fill in the blank with the heavy-weight preacher name in your little neck of fundamentalism. They travel in the same circles and condemn those outside of it. That’s a network if I’ve ever heard one. So why do you call it a movement?
- Are there parts of fundamentalism that is salvageable? I think fundamentalism contains several circles from the Hyles circle, to the BJU-type circle and everything in-between. Should we be calling out the whole movement? Are there some within the movement that are unstained in all this or are they too guilty of at covering this all up?
You can purchase a copy of Profaned Pulpit on Amazon. To check out more from Dr. Kaifetz log on to www.jerrykbooks.com or www.profanedpulpit.com. You can also here Dr. Kaifetz’s testimony dramatized on the Unshackled broadcast. Click here and scroll down to program number A2948.
The Overwhelming Presence of Jesus on Display
My pastor, Bob Bixby, preaching at Northland International University holding nothing back in the midst of controversy.
“The God of the gospel is free, the gospel of God is free and the nature of true worship, the right response to the impact of the gospel, is the freedom to respond appropriately in freedom…”
KevCast 18 – Fundamental Flaws with Darrell Dow of Stuff Fundies Like
Listen to the streaming audio here or download the mp3 here.
This week on the podcast we welcomed Darrell Dow, creator of the Stuff Fundies Like blog. In this broadcast, Darrell shares with us about his personal journey of how he navigated his way out of a legalistic religion to embrace a new world of grace and forgiveness often overlooked in some camps of fundamentalism. Like many who read this blog and listen to this podcast, it is a story that I can more than sympathize with. This is just one reason why Darrell has found such a large audience. We can all look back and recall our own experiences as Darrell draws from his own and that of the hundreds of others who he has connected with over these past few years.
A midst all of the satire found on the Stuff Fundies Like blog lay some important issues that move far beyond the mere not wanting to abide by strict standards of music and dress. This leads us to our main topic of conversation, Darrell’s new book: Fundamental Flaws: Seven Things Independent Fundamental Baptists Get Wrong (And How to Fix Them). This book features seven issues many of us former fundamentalists can identify with. Yet, as Darrell mentions on the program, this book can serve as a tool to help explain to people why we left this world and also leave the reader with a few linger thoughts to ponder.
New Live KevCast This Saturday Featuring Darrell Dow of Stuff Fundies Like
Check out the website here -
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kevcast/2012/11/24/fundamental-flaws-with-darrell-dow-of-stuff-fundies-like
This week on the podcast we welcome Darrell Dow, creator of the Stuff Fundies Like blog. Each day Darrell takes a satirical look at the Baptist fundamentalism he once was a part of, poking fun and yet at the same time raising serious issues meant to provoke thought and consideration.
Just this month Fundamental Flaws: Seven Things Independent Fundamental Baptists Get Wrong (And How to Fix Them), a short e-book, was released for Kindle readers. Join us for this conversation with Darrell Dow as he shares with us about his new book and what he hopes to accomplish with it.
This will be a live broadcast and your participation is welcome! You can join the conversation this Saturday at 5pm CST by calling in at (818) 431-8528 or by leaving your comments in our live chat room.
An Anti-CCM Argument Down the Drain…
I’ve been meaning to post this for weeks. But, now is just as good a time as any… A few weeks ago my wife and I were traveling home from St. Charles, IL and found ourselves stuck in traffic sitting next to a jeep who couldn’t help but blare their music. Normally, I can’t stand this! If you wish to enjoy your music, fine. But why are you forcing me to enjoy your music as well? Anyway, I digress… The music that was playing was something in the genre of hip-hop – a music I typically have no use for. Yet, as I continued to wait for the seeming endless right light to turn green I suddenly recognized the music. It was Lecrae! For those of you who don’t know, Lecrae is a Christian hip hop artist. Now, I enjoyed listening to this music and was a little disappointed when the light did turn green. I was encouraged that this man’s very Christian lyrics were influencing someone else. Praise the Lord.
After this moment passed it dawned on me that this was the polar-opposite of what I was always told by some of my fundamentalists preachers and teachers would happen. I was told, by more than one preacher or evangelist, about how horrible a testimony it would be if my CCM music was blaring out of my car stereo system as other drives passed by. All those poor heathen on the highways would think I was merely one of them because that worldly CCM music was clearly something they could associate with being unregenerate and all…
Oh well, I guess they were wrong about that one.
KevCast 10 – Fundamentalism, Evangelicalism, and the Emerging Middle with Phil Johnson
Phil Johnson Speaking to My Class via Skype
Download the mp3 here or listen to the streaming audio here.
Recent years have seen the growth of a conservative group within Christianity that has been growing discontent as they witness the extremes of both Evangelical and Fundamentalist circles. Some of them grew tired of the legalistic moralism and the lack of in-depth Biblical study found within the extremes of fundamentalist circles. Some grew tired of the ever-changing fads and worldly compromises within the some evangelical circles. They have a commitment to the gospel and no movement to call their own. They comprise what some have tired, the emerging middle.
As a former fundamentalist now teaching at an evangelical Christian school, I find this development not only fascinating but intensely personal. Its an issue more and more people are struggling with – a theological identity crisis. After leaving whatever camp of Christendom one comes out of, what do you do? Who do you associate with? Many fundamentalists, though growing in their faith, still find it difficult and confusing to mingle with Evangelicals. Some Evangelicals struggle with how to find balance between Christian liberty which some have used to comprise the core Christian truths of the gospel and a rigid legalism/separatist attitude which limits the freedom we treasure in the body of Christ.
Join us this week as we talk about this “Emerging Middle” as I air a previously recorded interview with Phil Johnson, executive director of the “Grace to You” with John MacArthur, director of the Spurgeon Archive and blogger at the Pyromaniac blog. Phil, an evangelical, has spoken on the relationship between Fundamentalists and Evangelicals at the Shepherd’s Conference and has dialogued with some on the fundamentalist ShaperIron blog.
New Book to Review – Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism
Today, I walked down the driveway and to my great delight I found that the wonderful people over at Zondervan has sent me a new book to review. 
Now, I must admit, I am increadibly excited to read this book in particular. Here is the product description on amazon.com:
Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism compares and contrasts four distinct positions on the current fundamentalist-evangelical spectrum in light of the history of American fundamentalism and evangelicalism. The contributors each state their case for one of four views on the spectrum of
evangelicalism: -Kevin T. Bauder: Fundamentalism -R. Albert Mohler Jr.: Conservative/confessional evangelicalism -John G. Stackhouse Jr.: Generic evangelicalism -Roger E. Olson: Postconservative evangelicalism. Each author explains his position, which is critiqued by the other three authors. The interactive and fair-minded nature of the Counterpoints format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions. The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.
Understanding Our Times – Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism and the Emerging Middle with Phil Johnson
Recent years have the growth of a conservative group within Christianity that has been growing discontent as they witness the extremes of both Evangelical and Fundamentalist circles. They have a commitment to the gospel and no movement to call their own. Join us this week as we talk about this “Emerging Middle” with Phil Johnson, executive director of the “Grace to You” with John MacArthur. Phil also writes for the Pyromaniac blog.
Broadcast – Understanding Our Times
Website - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/understandingourtimes
Time – Saturday, July 31, at 6:00 pm EST/5:00pm CST
Length – 30 Minutes
Call-in Number - (347) 945-7171
You can join us live Saturday evening at 6:00 pm EST, or download the broadcast in mp3 format at a time more convenient for you.
“Understanding Our Times” is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on current events from a distinctly Biblical worldview. Host Kevin Thompson offers listeners timely discussion of meaningful issues with a variety of different guests each week. Callers are encouraged to call (347) 945-7171 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available http://www.blogtalkradio.com/understandingourtimes. The show is live every Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. Eastern/ 3:00 p.m. PT. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.
Understanding Our Times – Fundamentalism and Reformed Theology
Why is it that so many are leaving fundamentalist churches and embracing reformed theology? As the young, restless and reformed movement grows, hard-line fundamental Baptist churches seem to be in decline. Is this the end of fundamentalism? What is it about reformed theology that is attracted so many? We will ask these questions and more to Bob Hayton. Bob operates and contributes to several popular blogs included the Fundamentally Reformed and re:Fundamentals. This is a live program and your phone calls are encouraged.
Broadcast – Understanding Our Times
Website - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/understandingourtimes
Time – Saturday, June 5, at 6:00 pm EST/5:00pm CST
Length – 30 Minutes
Call-in Number - (347) 945-7171
You can join us live Saturday evening at 6:00 pm EST, or download the broadcast in mp3 format at a time more convenient for you.
“Understanding Our Times” is an interactive, live Internet talk-radio show that focuses on current events from a distinctly Biblical worldview. Host Kevin Thompson offers listeners timely discussion of meaningful issues with a variety of different guests each week. Callers are encouraged to call (347) 945-7171 to listen or ask questions. The stream and archives are available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/understandingourtimes. The show is live every Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. Eastern/ 3:00 p.m. PT. The show is hosted on BlogTalkRadio.
Links Worth Checking Out
The first link, I found absolutely hilarious and yet sadly true. Check out this satirical look at the fundamentalist mindset of fighting academic pride with ignorant pride:
http://tominthebox.blogspot.com/2010/03/doctor-dont-need-no-education.html
“I don’t need no medical board or a bunch of other smarty pants doctors telling me what to do and think. I read my medical journals every day. I’ve even memorized entire chapters. I can do any surgery or procedure. Brain surgery, spinal surgery, amputations, you name it. I don’t need no education. This is a calling.”
The second link is an article by Dave Doran who writes about just how “fundamental” Dr. John R. Rice really is, compared to the modern fundamental, Sword of the Lord crowd.
http://gloryandgrace.dbts.edu/?p=273
“Frankly, I find it just plain odd that some of Rice’s biggest fans are actually embracing and articulating positions that he spilled a lot of ink rejecting and attacking. It is a sad combination of revisionist history (e.g., on the separation issue) and theology (e.g., on the KJV issue).”
HT: SharperIron
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