What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism?
Imagine that the mayor of your town comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Though Dead, He Still Speaks
We owe a debt of gratitude to the New England Puritan Jonathan Edwards.
A Christian’s Purpose in the Harvest
What is your purpose as a Christian? Why has God placed you on earth?
A Song for Married Ears Only?
Thirty-two years old. As I sat in my second PhD course, the professor gave an assignment concerning the Song of Solomon.
A Unified Voice for Biblical Truth
As I travel representing Regular Baptist Ministries in churches and association meetings, people often ask me, “Why RBM?”
Saving Lives: God’s Truths amid Abortion’s Lies
Always hold forth the gospel of Jesus Christ, and never tire of it.
Moving a Ministry Forward
“We believe God is in this and we’re going to do this by faith.”
Lessons I Learned on the Mission Field
For fifty years I served with my wife, Sharon, in Asia-Pacific ministries and global missions administration.
Discovering Dispensationalism
Discovering Dispensationalism is well worth every pastor’s reading.
Inside the Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin
Churches dream that someone will call and say, “Is there anything at your church I can give a ton of money to?” That’s what happened …
Hermeneutics? Who Cares! Eschatology? What’s That?
When God—moving upon human writers—gave His Word, He determined its meaning.
God’s Grace in the Midst of Suffering
We sometimes expect that as children of God, we should be spared trials and sorrow.
Theological Interpretation of Scripture
A more consistent approach to the Bible has withstood the test of time. We call it dispensationalism.
The Hermeneutics of Dispensationalism
Symbols must be present to symbolize something!
Time for a Sabbatical?
The usually talkative deacons sat around the table in stunned silence as my words sank in: “I need a sabbatical.”
Your Ministry Retirement Plans, Explained
If you know the difference between a 401(k) and a 403(b), then stop reading this article.
Relevant Near and Far
Are you, an individual believer, relevant to the world?
Reflections on the 2023 GARBC Conference
The 2023 GARBC Conference took place June 26–29 on the campus of Corban University in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Inside the Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin
“Regular Baptist Ministries continues to invest time, money, prayer, and effort in helping churches to be healthy,” says David Strope, interim national representative. Two of …
The “Incredible Blessing” of GARBC Scholarships
For anyone wondering if college scholarship programs are worth the hassle, look no further than Andrew Burman, a sophomore at Faith Baptist Bible College.
When Someone You Love Comes Out
I once met a man in our neighborhood in Stockholm who, hearing that I was a Christian and a theologian, commented, “That must be tough.”
What the Bible Says about Homosexuality
A growing number of churches and Christian leaders on both sides of the Atlantic are changing their positions on loving, faithful, same-sex sexual relations.
Being a Welcoming Church in the Land of the Free
Churches naturally desire to be known as welcoming to their communities.
I Am with You Always
At the end of hearing challenges about going into missions, both my husband, Hubert, and I answered, “Here am I, Lord. Send me.”
VBS Missions Offering Helps First Responders
When danger threatens, most people run the other way, but not first responders. They regularly run into harm’s way to rescue and protect those in …
A Journey to Chaplaincy
When you hear the word chaplain, what image comes to mind?
Faith Goes to Antarctica
“Chaplains go places in our communities that pastors cannot reach.”
The Relevance of Regular Baptist Ministries
Is Regular Baptist Ministries relevant in this cultural moment?
Truly, God Is Present and Powerful
“It’s amazing how God can use us when we surrender our lives to the Lord,” says Mary Broeckert, M.D., in her book Present and Powerful: A Testimony of God’s Working in Medical Missions.
Inside the Summer 2023 Baptist Bulletin
On the cover of this issue, Ron Faith, a Regular Baptist chaplain, visits the airfield that serves McMurdo Station, a scientific research center, in Antarctica. …
Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation
David Strope recommends Retractions: Cultivating Humility After Humiliation.
Planting a Church by Faith
First Baptist Church, Spring Valley, California, planted six churches in twelve years.
Why Regular Baptist Ministries?
Why Regular Baptist Ministries? Why the GARBC?
Recovering the Church’s Mandate
Philip De Courcy has a lot to say about “The Mandate.”
God Perfectly Keeps His Promises
Broken promises. They’re an unfortunate manifestation of living in a fallen, depraved world.
Church in the Digital Age
For pastors, the last decade has presented a perfect storm of cultural upheaval, societal trends, and accelerated change.
Bouquets of Cheer
I was unprepared for what lay ahead when I awoke on Monday.
Weather: Under God’s Control
The weather is part of our lives, no matter where we live or when we were born.
Inside the Spring 2023 Baptist Bulletin
On the cover of this issue, three pastors look out what will be a window of a church in Durango, Mexico.
Inside the Winter 2023 Baptist Bulletin
New year. New look. The Baptist Bulletin, a front door to spiritually uplifting and thought-provoking articles, has undergone a renovation.
Theology That Sticks
Theology That Sticks helpfully examines music in the church.
Walking in Truth and Love
Christians need both a map and a motive.
Deconstruct the Straw Man, Keep the Real Man
A trend among some parts of evangelicalism is deconstruction: questioning or rejecting the Christian faith. I became aware of this issue through questions that students …
When Deconstruction Hits Close to Home
A dismantled faith. A departed faith. A deconstructed faith.
A Biblical Plan for Pastoral Succession
What is your church’s plan to find your next pastor?
Giving Thanks and Trusting God
I thank God for victories, growth, and progress at Regular Baptist Ministries and trust Him for what He will yet do.
Hospitality Starts with Hello
God is waiting for us to spend time with people who don’t know Him, Clare Jewell writes in his Fall 2022 Baptist Bulletin article “Do the Truth.”
Inside the Fall 2022 Baptist Bulletin
In 1932, the first GARBC Conference—meeting in Chicago—was filled with “happy singing and warm fellowship,” says Paul Tassell in his book Quest for Faithfulness.
The Fall 2022 Issue Is Here!
It’s here! If you’re a subscriber, the Fall 2022 Baptist Bulletin is arriving in mailboxes and inboxes.
Giving in a New Testament Context
In contemporary Christian churches, the subject of tithes and offerings can be controversial.
How to Cultivate a More Meaningful and Deliberate Prayer Life
Wave a magic wand! It worked for Cinderella. Giving requests to a fairy godmother—that’s what prayer is like, isn’t it?
Taking Off: When Kids Give a Boost to Ministry
In the ministry world, sometimes a boost is needed to help things “take off”—to spark a renewal, draw people to Christ, and get them excited about serving Him.
Taking Steps to Become More like Christ
When a person believes in Christ as God and Savior, immediately he or she receives a new spiritual nature and enters a close and permanent relationship with God.
The Crisis of Vacant Pulpits
The American landscape is blanketed by churches with no pastor.
Welcoming Churches and “Why Don’t You Have Women Pastors?”
Churches can Biblically respond to modern feminism with the beauty of God’s design.
God Gives Grace!
by David E. Strope Ephesians 4:7 speaks of grace being given to each believer, a gift from Christ to us, His church. Specifically, Paul notes …
Inside the Summer 2022 Baptist Bulletin
Contact our subscription department to read the Baptist Bulletin on your electronic device or to receive the print edition by mail.
Let the KJV Preface Teach You to Trust Modern Bibles
The KJV translators were not KJV-only.
Check Out the Spring 2022 Baptist Bulletin
Contact our subscription department to read the Baptist Bulletin online or to receive the print edition by mail.
More Faith-Affirming Findings
I am thankful for an invitation from the editor of the Baptist Bulletin to provide more examples of archaeological discoveries that affirm our trust in the historicity and reliability of Scripture.
Welcoming Churches, Part 2: Isn’t All Sin the Same?
A constant struggle for any Christ follower is to fight off the temptation to be liked, to worship human favor as an idol of the heart.
Encouraging the Next Generation to Consider Career Ministry
America is facing a critical leadership shortage in the church.
A Three-Sphere Pro-Life Model
Abortion remains a hot-button issue for Americans. Those who support it view it as a matter of fundamental justice for women. Those who oppose abortion view it as a matter of fundamental justice for the preborn.
What’s at Stake in Dobbs v. Jackson?
Abortion remains one of the most contentious issues in American politics.
Fake News
Fake news abounds! Several years ago, news spread like wildfire in Central America that Juan Orlando Hernández, president of Honduras, had banned homework for all Honduran students. Fake news!
Bumps!
For 23 years I wrote the weekly “Pastor’s Page” in the Ankeny (Iowa) Baptist Church bulletin, but now I no longer serve as a pastor. What, I wonder, might I name this national representative’s column?
Welcoming Churches and “Gay Christians”
How the local church can Biblically respond to modern misnomers by speaking the truth in love
Check Out the September/October 2021 Issue
Contact our subscription department to read the Baptist Bulletin online or to receive the print edition by mail.
David Strope Begins Term as Interim National Representative
by Jonita Barram David Strope, retiring pastor of Ankeny (Iowa) Baptist Church, was appointed interim national representative of the GARBC following the resignation of Mike Hess. …
Biblical Archaeology: Faith-Affirming Findings
by Paul Weaver Incredible advances have been made in the field of Biblical archaeology in the last 70 years. These discoveries are of exceptional value …
The Bible Challenge
by Michael Dellaperute Imagine this: You are on your way to speak to a small group of Christian students at a local college. They requested …
Editor’s Notes
In July 2021, Israeli archaeologists digging in Khirbet el Rai discovered a 3,100-year-old jar handle with the name “Jerubbaal” inscribed on its side.
March/April 2021 Issue
Contact our subscription department to read the Baptist Bulletin online or to receive the print edition by mail. Ask about our group rates for churches. …
Generating Churches and Leaders
Welcome to Generate! This year the GARBC Council of Eighteen approved the merger of Regular Baptist Church Planting and Regular Baptist Builders Club into one organization called Generate.
Teaching Church History in Our Churches
It must be that God loves history, since He gave us so much. So should we. History is really His Story—God works in this world to draw humanity to Himself.
Growing Your Sunday School Step by Step
If your Sunday School attendance is declining or flatlining, consider taking the following five practical, corrective actions to see attendance increase.
Inspecting Spiritual Progress
As church builders, we have a heavenly inspection visit coming. Make plans now to ensure that the church construction is built according to Christ’s code!
50 Years of Vacation Bible School
For 50 years, RBP has maintained the same high quality of Bible teaching and gospel outreach that makes it the choice for thousands of churches every year.
January/February 2021 Issue
Contact our subscription department to read the Baptist Bulletin online or to receive the print edition by mail. Ask about our group rates for churches. …
How to Pray When the Pain Will Not Leave
How do you pray when you find yourself in a season of pain with no end in sight?
Coffee and Christ: A Metaphor of the Christian Life
No matter where you are on the path of sanctification, remember to keep looking to Jesus. I learned to love coffee only by studying and tasting.
Carl Trueman Gets It Right in “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self”
Trueman’s new book addresses the sexual revolution and transgender phenomenon in light of the rise of expressive individualism.
Invasion of the Body Snatcher
We will all, Paul writes, be caught up “in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). Can there be any greater promise than that? Can you conceive of any greater comfort?
Mapping Dispensationalism
This article compares the dispensationalist systems on two aspects of the sine qua non: literal interpretation and the distinction between the church and Israel.
July/August 2020 Issue
Theology is for everyone. Michael Dellaperute investigates how average Christians and their pastors can change their attitude and approach to theology.
Theology Is for Everyone
Joe is an average Christian. He is the first to admit he’s not pastor or deacon material.
The Value of Training in Biblical Counseling
Thirty-three years ago, the Lord privileged me to become the pastor of Wheelersburg Baptist Church, in Appalachian southern Ohio, where I presently serve.
Introverts in Ministry
How was I supposed to reach people all over the world when engagement with people wore me out?
Theology and Ministry in Balance
Legendary football coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant famously preached that “defense wins championships.”
May/June 2020 Issue
In these times of turmoil and uncertainty, Christians can look to Jesus, learn from Him, and redeem the time.
Choice Words
Never once have I heard my father use a swear word, which I think is significant.
A Guide to Responsible Christian Citizenship
As another election approaches, Christians will be confronted with hard decisions.
Redeeming the Time during a Worldwide Pandemic
What a blessing it is to know that our God remains in sovereign control (Ps. 103:19; Eph. 1:11).
Practicing Gratitude
Did you know that practicing gratitude can rewire your brain?
Making Disciples Jesus’ Way
One of the great encouragements of our day is a renewed focus on the mission of the church.
Midlife Mission
A midlife crisis is usually described as a period between ages 35 and 60 when a person goes through a slump or questions the direction of his or her life.
The Unfinished Task of Myron Houghton
Myron Houghton (1941–2020)
March/April 2020 Issue
Too many Americans, including many Christians, believe science is best suited over other disciplines to reveal truth. It is past time to reconsider the limits of science.
The Limits of Science
Several years ago, while on a lengthy flight to a conference, I found myself sitting next to a young neurobiologist.
Saving James
In many ways, James is a typical seven-year-old boy. He loves superheroes, Boy Scouts, and pretend sword fights. Unfortunately, his divorced parents agree on very little, including his gender.
Pleasant View Baptist Church
Have you ever received a phone call that both surprised you and ended up turning your life upside down? If so, you will relate to my experience.
Why Originalism? Part 3
Previously, we argued that the soundest hermeneutical approach is what we are calling originalism. In this final installment, we will address some objections and questions that commonly arise from critics of originalism.
January/February 2020 Issue
Gracious. This word covers a lot: kindness, courtesy, good taste, tact, compassion. Today churches need to be gracious in every avenue of communication.
It’s Time to Plant a Church!
“This whole thing started because I didn’t get my way,” says Pastor Pat Nemmers, lead pastor of Saylorville Church in Des Moines, Iowa. “And that’s why I love telling this story, because it puts me in my place.”
Why Originalism? Part 2
David Gunn examines an originalist interpretation of Scripture and non-originalist hermeneutical approaches that are in vogue today, offering reasons why originalism is far superior.
Gen Z Is Changing Everything
A new generation is emerging right before our eyes. The Millennials are now adults, and today’s current youth culture is dominated by members of Generation Z.
Quid Pro Quo
In recent American politics, we have been introduced to the concept of quid pro quo, a Latin phrase which refers to an exchange of goods or services that is offered with a contingency or expectation of receiving something in return.
November/December 2019 Issue
It’s popular these days to say Biblical prophecy doesn’t matter in the larger scheme of Christian living in the 21st century. This issue of the Baptist Bulletin considers why dispensationalists disagree with that opinion.
Why Biblical Prophecy Matters
Systematic theologies traditionally cover 10 topics of Christian doctrine. Almost without exception, the last one is eschatology, or the doctrine of end-times.
Young, Restless, Fundamentalist
Two times in the last five decades dispensational theology—with its attendant views on the rapture of the church, the restoration of the nation of Israel, and the judgments of the Tribulation—has had a massive cultural impact.
Why Originalism?
Far too often we like to discuss theology or Christian living without first addressing the more fundamental issue: hermeneutics, the art and science of interpreting the Scriptures.
Keep It Simple, Student
Every believer experiences the steep learning curve involved with first-time Bible study.
The One Bridge You Can Trust
For as long as I can remember, I have always been a little sketchy about crossing bridges—especially ones that span a massive body of water.
Potential Dangers of the Celebrity Pastor Syndrome
Enter the celebrity pastor syndrome. Fame and stardom need not be restricted to Tinseltown—ultra-famous megachurch pastors are preaching, writing, and tweeting at a venue near you!
September/October 2019 Issue
While our world is full of devastation, decay, and death, redemption is coming! One day King Jesus will return and make all things new (Rev. 21:5). In the meantime, how are Christians to relate to planet Earth?
Is Christianity Bad for the Environment?
A Biblical View of Environmental Responsibility By Christopher Cone The climate changed (pun intended) dramatically in 1966 when medieval historian Lynn White presented a groundbreaking …