Archive for the 'Southern Baptist Convention' Category
10 Biblical Realities to Consider About Capital Punishment
For the first time since 2005, this past week, the state of Arkansas fulfilled the death penalty. Ledell Lee was found guilty of the 1993 death of 26 year-old Debra Reese of Jacksonville, Arkansas. In 1995, Lee was found guilty of striking Debra Reese three dozen times and strangling her to death. Ledell Lee was the first of eight prisoners on Arkansas’ death row scheduled for execution over an eleven-day period. Ledell Lee’s sentence was carried out and he was pronounced dead on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 11:56 p.m.
10 Biblical Realities to Consider About Capital Punishment
Christians should practice a biblical worldview about life and all the issues we encounter. The only way to do this is to always see issues through biblical lenses that will help us navigate to a biblical conclusion.
I want to keep these ten biblical realities as simple and clear as possible, not just for effective communication, but also to equip you to understand some of what the Bible says about capital punishment. However, this simplicity and clarity does not diminish the enormous complexity of this issue. As we wrestle through this issue, we do so with humility and honesty, not with arrogance or judgment toward anyone.
Here are ten biblical realities to keep in mind as we consider what is right or wrong about capital punishment and the administration of it by those in authority.
1. Every human life is made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:27)
2. The Scripture does not permit the taking of any innocent human life. (Exodus 20:13)
3. Perfection in a judicial system is impossible due to our fallen human nature. (Genesis 3; Romans 3:10, 23)
4. According to Scripture, capital punishment is permissible if the evidence about the accused is more than clear, overwhelming, and just. (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:4)
5. The justice system must be equitable and just regardless of race, class, or culture. (Deuteronomy 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:17; Leviticus 19:14)
6. Every person should always be treated with the highest dignity, including those who receive capital punishment, by administering it in the most benevolent way possible. (Genesis 1:27)
7. Eternal salvation is possible for anyone awaiting capital punishment, through their personal repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-13)
8. While closure may be reached emotionally for the victim’s family and friends, it is also a stark reminder that their loved one is gone for the rest of their lives on this earth. (James 4:13-15)
9. The loss is severe, painful, and final for the family who loses their loved one through capital punishment. (James 4:13-15)
10. Prayer for wisdom for those deciding the punishment of those proven guilty is imperative. Additionally, fervent, compassionate prayer should be offered for the families involved in this unfortunate and needless circumstance. (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 25; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28, Mark 11:25)
Keeping these ten biblical realities in mind may help you as you work through this complex issue. Regardless of where you may end up in and through your thought processes, always remember: Life is a gift from God.
From the womb all the way through death itself, the dignity of human life should be held in the highest and most sacred manner.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
5 Lessons I’ve Learned from Recording My Weekly Podcast
As my podcast, Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today, will release our 7th episode on Tuesday, I thought I would share a few brief thoughts about what I am learning from this weekly endeavor.
If you are considering beginning a podcast, perhaps this insight will be helpful. If you are a seasoned veteran of leading a podcast, thank you for your diligence and desire to help others.
1. Teamwork wins again.
I am completely reliant on a team to help me complete these podcasts each week. Without Brian Dunaway, the Leader of our Communications Team, it is impossible. His entire team remains fluid and helps me as needed or desired. My own assistants provide editing assistance, help me shape articles to be more effective, and are always valuable in anything I do.
Here it is friends: Teamwork wins again. Without this dream team, my podcast would be dead upon arrival without any hope of a resurrection. From the depths of my heart: Thank you to the people who make this possible each week.
Personal Counsel: If you do not have a team around you, it would be difficult or impossible to achieve a weekly podcast.
2. Preparation is imperative.
In these initial weeks, I have written the interview questions, the introduction of each guest, and the closure to the program. This is not easy nor should it be. Preparation is not just imperative in the life of a leader, it is everything in the life of the leader. My entire life, I am preparing.
Personal Counsel: If you are ready to prepare in a new and different way to forward your investment in the lives of others, allocate the needed time and do it.
3. Flexibility is necessary.
While preparation guides you, it should never restrain you. It is important to know how to ask follow-up questions in the midst of an interview as well as interject personal comments to advance the message to your listeners.
My sixteen years of leading the Northwest Arkansas Business Persons Summit has prepared me to do this. I have been privileged to interview some of the greatest leaders in America. Flexibility is necessary in interviewing anyone formally or informally.
Personal Counsel: It is not just important to be prepared to lead a podcast, it is also important to lead it with sensitivity in the midst of a moment that can be special and memorable.
4. Limiting length is helpful.
Our goal is to stay at 22 minutes for each podcast. This is challenging, but I think it is helpful. As a listener, a 22-minute podcast goes fast, even if the guest may not be talking about something that may interest you personally. The challenge then comes to the editor of the podcast. Most of our interviews have taken 28-40 minutes. Then, we take 18-20 minutes of leadership gold from their interview, add the bumpers on each end of the show, and comprise our 22-minute podcast. We may occasionally choose to do a longer episode, but for now, 22 minutes is our goal.
Personal Counsel: Try your best to limit the length of your podcast. People move fast and attention spans are not very long. While there are exceptions to every rule, less is usually best.
5. Great leaders abound.
Great leaders abound across our nation and world. The purpose and direction of a podcast will determine the leaders you may want to interview. Only God knows the future direction of where we need to go in my podcast. My desire is to help all leaders whether they are in business, sports, education, law, politics, entertainment, or ministry. Yet, one day, it may come crystal clear for us to begin to focus on one of these areas alone.
Speaking of great leaders, I am excited about the guest for tomorrow’s episode, April 18. Bill Simon is the former President and CEO of Walmart US and was responsible for $290 billion, 4,500 stores, 1.2 million employees, and so much more. We had a fantastic time together, and I think anyone can learn from such a growing leader and follower of Jesus Christ. After you listen to this interview, I believe his investment in your life will help you be a better leader.
Personal Counsel: Great leaders abound. It is a matter of who can help you forward what is on your heart and what is needed in the marketplace.
Here is a list of my guests from previous episodes. If you haven’t already, I hope you will take the time to listen to each one of these interviews:
Episode 1: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Chris Mortensen
Episode 2: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Cheryl Bachelder
Episode 3: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Steve Green
Episode 4: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Jack Graham
Episode 5: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Ken Ham
Episode 6: Life and Leadership Today with Guest, Tony Perkins
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
*******
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.