The Texas Baptist Crucible

A look at giving at LBT and what was expected of members--the philosophy, accountability, practices, etc. Have you paid up what you owe God, brother? With interest?

Last week Billy Bob gave an overview of his time at LBT, his memories, what it was like to grow up there. That was a fantastic episode and look into life as a kid at LBT in the 90s. But the he ended with an ominous note. "Let's take a break and when we come back we can talk bout the heavy stuff. WARNING: this is not an easy conversation. What you're about to listen to is a firsthand a...

There are quite a few ingredients that go into the Independent Fundamental Baptist stew, and I explain several of them in this episode as we inch toward understanding how a church like LBT could come to be.

Compelling testimony from the oldest son of an infamous member of the Longview Baptist Temple. Billy Bob speaks on growing up sheltered, wishing he were somewhere else, wanting to be like his dad, generally what life was like for a kid growing up in that church...all of it, of course, setting us up for part 2 and what he called "the heavy stuff."

What was LBT about? What was her claim to fame? What is it that really marks us as holy? It isn't what was coming from the pulpit of the Longview Baptist Temple, that's for sure.

I thought I had heard it all. And maybe you think you've heard it all. But you ain't heard nothing yet. The story Michelle recounts of how her dignity and value were slowly ripped away from her is simply appalling. This is a don't miss episode.

James takes the time to answer some listener mail. Is he just bitter? Why does he hate the church so much?

Part 2 of my conversation with Justin Rios. How he went from college student to teacher at LCA to assistant youth director to eventually having his eyes open and having enough.

First, some announcements, then a few words about what holiness really is, compared to how it was portrayed at the Longview Baptist Temple.

Justin opens up about his childhood, what it was like for him at LCA, bus route, then going to TBC and working at Super 1 Foods across the street. This is an insider look at the daily life of a teen in the teen department and a college student trying to work his way through scholl, and the system.

In which I take something Ricky Andrews said in the last episode and expand on it a little bit. What is the Christian faith about, anyway? And how does that contrast with what was practiced at the Longview Baptist Temple?

A conversation with Ricky Andrews about growing up LBT, paying his own way through high school, getting yelled at a lot, how much he owes to a single mom, and what kissing a girl will get you. This conversation swings from silly to somber and sometimes manages to walk the line of both.

We start off today's episode with some announcements about some upcoming guests. I say a few words about accountability and how Gray Sr. had none. Then I break the news about a sponsor and a website and talk a little about community. In other words, we're all over the place with this one.

I brought Melissa back on, not just because she had a couple more stories to tell that she forgot to tell the first time around, but because she had so many thoughtful, helpful things to say. If you know someone you think can be helped by this episode, be sure to send it to them and encourage them to listen.

Part 2 of explaining LBT in which I address the public invitation, where it came from and why, and offer some criticisms, especially to how it was practiced at LBT.

My conversation with Melissa Marco-Wilson, daughter of Douglas Marco. You don’t want to miss this one!

What was it like to go to church at the Longview Baptist Temple? How was it like an ordinary Baptist church and how was it different? What exactly was it about the pulpit at LBT that damaged so many people? James covers all this and more in this episode of the Texas Baptist Crucible podcast.

Part 2 of my interview of Erik Myles, in which he narrates a few more of his experiences at the Longview Baptist Temple, and what eventually led to he and his family leaving the church, along with what ultimately helped him to cope with it all.

Must God's favor be earned? Do we have to perform well in order to keep from incurring his wrath? what is God's attitude toward us as his people?

This is the first part of a two part conversation I had with Erik Myles. Erik's family moved to Longview, Texas in 1982 and his dad served as a deacon at the church for many years. But I'll let Erik explain all that.

My thoughts from the Jamie Andrews conversation where I contrast the beautiful way which her mom lived the Christian life, with the legalism she was surrounded with. What was holiness at LBT, and how does that compare with the New Testament holiness practiced by Jamie's mom?

Jamie grew up at the Longview Baptist Temple. She was there for twenty years. What she witnessed, how she coped, her love for the people she knew there, it all makes for a compelling listen. Come hear the real legacy of the Longview Baptist Temple.

Our episode today begins with an apology, which is very important. Don't dismiss it or take it lightly. Next comes an explanation about why this particular episode is a day late. Then comes the main subject of today's episode which is me addressing some of the claims made by the Longview Baptist Temple (and others of their ilk) when it comes to the King James Version of the Bible. Also inc...

How does a place like the Longview Baptist Temple come to be? It doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It comes from something. How do you explain it? What do you need to know to understand the mindset of such a ministry? Here I lay a foundation for understanding not just the Longview Baptist Temple, but also the independent fundamental Baptist movement as a whole, as well as American evangelica...

Here's a link to Mark's podcast, Kingdom Reset. https://www.youtube.com/@KingdomResetPodcast/shorts