Posts by Todd Pruitt

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Segregated in Christ?

Todd Pruitt
Jul 11, 2008
This Sunday I am preaching on Acts 6:1-7. It is the account of the first real challenge to the church's unity. The incident that Luke recounts exposed an ugly division within the body of Christ in Jerusalem. The division, which was along cultural lines, was a greater threat to the young church than...

Trinitarian Discipleship

Todd Pruitt
Jul 11, 2008
I love J.I. Packer. I try to read everything he writes. His influence upon sound evangelical thinking would be difficult to overestimate. One of Packer's many strengths is his ability to pack a freight train of theology into a comparitively brief statement (see his outstanding Concise Theology )...

You Might Be Emergent If...

Todd Pruitt
Jul 10, 2008
"You might be an emergent Christian: if you listen to U2, Moby, and Johnny Cash's Hurt (sometimes in church), use sermon illustrations from The Sopranos , drink lattes in the afternoon and Guinness in the evenings, and always use a Mac; if your reading list consists primarily of Stanley Hauerwas,...

SBC Bravado

Todd Pruitt
Jul 10, 2008
Thanks to Timmy Brister for this important post: "Nobody can tell a Southern Baptist what to do." "That’s the comment by Darrell Orman, chairman of the Resolutions Committee, speaking to Christianity Today after the passing of the resolution on regenerate church membership. Tom Ascol’s response: “...

Patriotism in the Pew

Todd Pruitt
Jul 10, 2008
Take time to listen to this edition of the Albert Mohler Program . Dr. Russell Moore is the host and his two guests are Mark Dever of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and Stanley Hauerwas of Duke University. The question the program addresses is whether or not patriotic services are appropriate for...

Gracia

Todd Pruitt
Jul 9, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/MWfnyMUzPDs I was deeply touched by Gracia and Mindy's song Sunday morning. I listen to Gracia when she talks about God's goodness and sovereignty because her faith has been tested in ways that mine has not. How good it was to have mother and daughter sing about the watchful...

Politics and the Church's Mandate

Todd Pruitt
Jul 9, 2008
Given that the primary season is over I thought I would re-post an entry I wrote in 2007. I think this will also help to answer questions I sometimes receive about why Metro East does not have an American flag in our worship center or hold "God and Country" services. *Note: Today (July 16th) I...

Recommended Reading

Todd Pruitt
Jul 7, 2008
Check out this recommended reading list for children and youth.

What if the Muslims won?

Todd Pruitt
Jul 7, 2008
Check out this excellent article by Gene Veith posted at Ligonier.

Christianity does not work

Todd Pruitt
Jul 7, 2008
We live in a pragmatic culture. A thing's value is determined almost exclusively on the basis of whether or not it does what I want it to do. Will it increase my sense of well-being and pleasure? Will it advance my carreer? Will it make my kids obedient and happy? Will it make my spouse more...

Judging a Sermon

Todd Pruitt
Jul 3, 2008
Alan at Truth In Context offers this very helpful test for determining whether or not a sermon is truly Christian.

Paul David Tripp - Whiter Than Snow

Todd Pruitt
Jul 3, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/Dra6p7Xl0LA I love Paul Tripp's books. Metro East was privileged to host Dr. Tripp for a weekend seminar in April. What a blessing that was! Anyway, here is a "heads up" on his forthcoming book, "Whiter Than Snow" which is a series of meditations on Psalm 51.

Even the winds obey Him

Todd Pruitt
Jul 2, 2008
Check out this excellent article by Dr. Vern Poythress on what the weather says about God.

Gender, Tradition, and Young People

Todd Pruitt
Jun 25, 2008
Check out this brief post by Rick Phillips. My own experience confirms his observations.

God's sovereign goodness in the death of His beloved

Todd Pruitt
Jun 24, 2008
Please take time to read this post from Tim Challies . It is a letter written by Dennis Rainey concerning the death of his baby granddaughter. It is a model of the mysterious wedding of grief mixed with joy which is only possible in Christ. It is a moving meditation on the sovereign goodness of God...

What George Carlin's death should make us think about

Todd Pruitt
Jun 24, 2008
George Carlin was a profane man. That is not unusual. I am sure that if all of our thoughts and careless words were made known there would be no end to our shame. However, it is no secret that George Carlin was an atheist who openly mocked God, especially the God revealed in the Bible. What this...

Mark Dever on the Gospel and Cooperation

Todd Pruitt
Jun 23, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/V4wFWbNDUZQ

Mark Dever on worship and preaching

Todd Pruitt
Jun 23, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/zxSeamqaQes

The Reformation That Must Continue

Todd Pruitt
Jun 23, 2008
As a follow-up to my last post, check out this excellent article by Nathin Finn on the conservative resurgence in the SBC. Dr. Finn is a church historian at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I think you will find his words helpful.

The CBF slides down an innevitable path

Todd Pruitt
Jun 23, 2008
For those of you unschooled in Southern Baptist denominational life, the CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) is an offshoot of the SBC made up primarily of moderates and liberals who who disdain the conservative resurgence that took place in the SBC in early 1980's. To be sure, there are some...

Good Books

Todd Pruitt
Jun 21, 2008
Check out this recommended reading list from Ligonier Ministries.

Bungee Boys

Todd Pruitt
Jun 20, 2008

Christian Kitsch

Todd Pruitt
Jun 20, 2008
This story illustrates well what happens when Christians build a subculture rather than living as resident aliens within the culture.

Gospel-Centered Theology

Todd Pruitt
Jun 20, 2008
Check out this excellent article by David Fairchild at Kaleo Church . Fairchild clearly outlines how the Gospel not only shapes biblical theology but also creates the rationale behind mission.

Focus on Christ, not Spirituality

Todd Pruitt
Jun 20, 2008
"From the New Testament's point of view, those who have almost forgotten about their own spirituality because their focus is so exclusively on their union with Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished are those who are growing and exhibiting fruitfulness. Historically speaking, whenever the piety...

Funniest thing I've seen all week

Todd Pruitt
Jun 20, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/T-lv8745InI Thanks to Denny Burk for posting this.

The Two Words in the Bible

Todd Pruitt
Jun 18, 2008
It has been said that the two words in the Bible are "law" and "gospel." The point is that everything in Scripture can ultimately be placed either in the category of law or gospel. Law is anything that God requires. The law is God's commandments; His righteous demands. The gospel, on the other hand...

Male Pattern Baldness

Todd Pruitt
Jun 18, 2008
Why does it always look worse in pictures?

WDJD? (what did Jesus do?)

Todd Pruitt
Jun 17, 2008
"Be sure, moreover, that you do not make Christ into a Moses, as if Christ did nothing more than teach and provide examples as the other saints do, as if the gospel were simply a textbook of teachings or laws. Therefore you should grasp Christ, his words, works, and sufferings, in a twofold manner...

Eric Redmond on the reformation we need

Todd Pruitt
Jun 17, 2008
Check out this great message by Eric Redmond at the annual Founder's Breakfast at the SBC. Importat stuff. Baptist Press posted this article on pastor Redmond's message.

Sinclair Ferguson on James

Todd Pruitt
Jun 17, 2008
Thanks to Justin Taylor for posting a link to these great sermons . Sinclair Ferguson is one of my favorite preachers and writers. Be blessed and listen to this pastor/theologian preach these wonderful sermons.

"Lost" on Vacation

Todd Pruitt
Jun 16, 2008
We arrived in Breckenridge today for a week of vacation. I have been looking forward to this week for a while. The weather is beautiful. Right now Karen and I are joining the rest of the civilized world by watching LOST. We have never seen a single episode. Anyway, we are in the middle of episode...

Bob Dylan - Saved (Live)

Todd Pruitt
Jun 14, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/Uv392BC95OM

Flooding and the Mercy of God

Todd Pruitt
Jun 14, 2008
Check out this post from Said At Southern .

Tenacious in Doctrine, Lenient with People

Todd Pruitt
Jun 14, 2008
"Doctrine is heaven, life is earth. In life there is sin, error, uncleanness, and misery, mixed, as the saying goes, 'with vinegar.' Here love should condone, tolerate, be deceived, trust, hope, and endure all things (1 Cor. 13:7); here the forgiveness of sins should have complete sway, provided...

Christianity Astray

Todd Pruitt
Jun 13, 2008
Christianity Today , founded by Billy Graham and Carl Henry (one of the 20th century's greatest theologians) is hardly even a reflection of its former self. One C.T. 's latest embarassments is a positive review it offered to the film "Sex And The City." Check out these three important responses to...

Southern Baptists and Church Membership

Todd Pruitt
Jun 13, 2008
I am thankful that a resolution on church membership was adopted at the SBC's annual meeting this week. Perhaps it could signal a change in our sloppy accounting. What will be needed however is for pastors like myself to cease worshipping at the feet of our idol: the crowd. Check out these helpful...

Leaping for joy over the Gospel

Todd Pruitt
Jun 11, 2008
"The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish: not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but changes man. It plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It...

Amazing Things

Todd Pruitt
Jun 11, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/nW085dPRczQ

Some Thoughts on the SBC annual meeting

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
Ben Wright has posted his impressions of the SBC's annual meeting. I think he makes some important observations. I hope someone is listening.

Can God Be Trusted? (1)

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
Following the horrific Asian tsunami that occurred on December 26, 2004, The Herald of Glasgow, Scotland printed a commentary that read in part: “God, if there is a God, should be ashamed of himself. The sheer enormity of the Asian tsunami disaster, the death, destruction, and havoc it has wreaked...

Southern Baptists on the Decline

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
Check out this USA Today article on the anxiety among SBC leaders regarding declining numbers.

Can we know God's will?

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
Check out these great resources from Monergism on the subject of guidance and God's will. Very helpful!

Is belief in final judgment dangerous?

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
Al Mohler posts these interesting comments in response to a recent interview with British novelist Ian McEwan. Mohler makes a compelling argument for the moral necessity of belief in a final judgment.

Numa Numa SBC

Todd Pruitt
Jun 10, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/cgf5f-6TpnM

Judge Not The Lord By Feeble Sense

Todd Pruitt
Jun 9, 2008
I was thinking this afternoon about the profound words that we sang at Metro East yesterday: Oh fearful saints new courage take, The clouds that you no dread Are big with mercy and will break With blessing on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a...

I will worship You

Todd Pruitt
Jun 7, 2008
http://youtube.com/v/hhJYN2Hk_FQ

Origins

Todd Pruitt
Jun 6, 2008
The high stakes of knowing our origins It seems that once children are able to form sentences, among their first intelligible utterances are questions. And to young ones beginning to discover the world around them, the questions abound! They begin with questions concerning identity. Observing a...

Writing on Genesis

Todd Pruitt
Jun 6, 2008
I have loved preaching through Genesis. We still have a long way to go before we finish. Along the way I am taking my sermon manuscripts and study notes and writing expanded meditations. God willing, once I am finished it will be a helpful, readable, and devotional commentary on Genesis. Every once...

The Bible Tells One Story

Todd Pruitt
Jun 6, 2008
“The Bible tells one story. It is a long and complicated story about events that took place over several thousand years, but even so it is one story. Like most stories the most exciting and important parts come toward the end. In this case, the most important part comes when Jesus is born, lives,...