FrontLine
July/August 2013 FrontLine
Contents: The Kingdom of God Preston Mayes If someone asked you to summarize the message of the Bible in one sentence, how would you answer? The Kingdom in Matthew Tim Miller Two major themes in Matthew—Heaven and kingdom—come together in Matthew’s unique phrase “kingdom of Heaven.” Kingdom Offers Andy Hudson The concept of a…
Read MoreA Ministry of Necessary Controversy (2)
Mark Minnick This is Part Two of four parts • One • Three • Four In Part One, Dr. Minnick introduces Benjamin Keach and some of the features of his life and times which produced Benjamin Keach, the controversialist. Tempering the Metal Although experiencing little trouble initially, the young Baptist preacher drew the government’s ire…
Read MoreAdoption
David Burggraff “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage . . . but ye have received the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15). In Romans 8:14–17 Paul is introducing us to one of the great but sometimes neglected metaphors for the Christian’s relationship to God. Here he describes the Christian as adopted into the…
Read MoreThe Long Goodbye
Mike Fair Two weeks ago my dad was still at home talking and eating and doing most things for himself. Now he was in the hospital, and we were being forced to think about things that heretofore had been merely philosophical. It’s hard to be sure when we noticed that Daddy was having trouble remembering…
Read MoreWitnessing with Tracts
Ruth Bumgardner I trusted Christ as my Savior at the age of 29 after reading the Bible for nearly two years. Now, as I approach the age of 53, I look back and sadly reflect that in my whole lifetime I received only one gospel tract, and that from a 16-year-old boy only three years…
Read MoreThe Wrong Bridegroom
Doris Fisher Harris The Associated Press carried this story from the Times of India: It was a double wedding. The beautiful brides were veiled. The traditional Hindu ceremony of circling a fire seven times with the groom was carried out in a lawful manner. But when the veils were lifted, the brides realized to their…
Read MoreA Ministry of Necessary Controversy
Mark Minnick This is Part One of four parts • Two • Three • Four Lying here open beside me is a precious volume published in 1694. A Golden Mine Opened contains 40 stirring messages on the mediatorial work of the Lord Jesus Christ. My volume has passed through many hands over the last 300 years, including several generations of Halls,…
Read MoreSeven Vital Volumes for Baptist Pastors
David Cummins One of the joys of an itinerant ministry is visiting pastors’ libraries. I have occasionally discovered books for which I have long searched. Usually, one of my first questions to a host pastor is, “Where is your Baptist section?” On many such occasions pastors appeared confounded. It is apparent that many have never…
Read MoreSupplications, Prayers, Intercessions
Charles Mellring When this writer first retired from fulltime pastoring—made necessary by my wife’s deteriorating health—she and I undertook intercession as our continuing ministry. Our daily agenda included (and some days was dominated by) prayer for others. It pleased God to promote her to glory in 1996. With additional opportunity (much less time now spent…
Read MoreMinistering in Adversity
Steve Schroeder We have all read the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the men who were killed on the shores of the river in Ecuador. Since we can see the whole picture now, we rejoice over the salvation of the Auca Indians. But put yourself in the shoes of the women who heard…
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