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SBC 2018: Guide to Dallas

The 2018 SBC is almost here, so it’s with great pleasure that we introduce our sixth annual ERLC guide to food and fun at the convention. We want to bring you the best of what Dallas has to offer so that you can make the most of your time at the annual meeting. Josh King has another great guide to Dallas as well.  

While you’re at the SBC, be sure to make plans to join the ERLC at these events:

Dallas

Food

Dallas has myriad food options, including never-ending Tex-Mex choices. With the help of a few friends over Twitter, we’ve compiled a list of options around the Dallas/Fort Worth area—in order of zip code. The Convention Center’s address is 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202. You can plug these restaurants into your phone to see what’s closest. We hope you enjoy!  

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House | @BabesChicken Address: 1006 W Main St, Carrollton, TX 75006 Phone number: (972) 245-7773  

Hard Eight BBQ | @HardEightBBQ “Texas-style barbecue straight from the smoke pit & sides in a rustic, cafeteria-style setup.” Address: 688 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019 Phone: (972) 471-5462  

Hutchins BBQ | @HutchinsBBQ “Local fixture for all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet with brisket, ribs & fried catfish in rustic-chic digs.” Address: 1301 N Tennessee St, McKinney, TX 75069 Phone: (972) 548-2629  

Sammy’s BBQ “Country-style BBQ joint serves a concise menu of sandwiches, platters & sides over the counter.” Address: 2126 Leonard St, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 880-9064

Meso Maya Comdia Y Copas | @MesoMayaDallas “Contemporary Mexican eatery serving Oaxaca- & Puebla-inspired recipes to a trendy crowd.” Address: 1227, 1611 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 484-6555  

Whataburger | @Whataburger “Circa-1950 fast-food chain for counter-serve burgers.” Address: 2428 N Haskell Ave, Dallas, TX 75204 Phone: (214) 821-0293  

The Rustic | New American Restaurant | @TheRustic “Down-home venue with locally sourced American eats & an outdoor patio with live music.” Address: 3656 Howell St, Dallas, TX 75204 Phone: (214) 730-0596  

Amore | Italian Restaurant “Intimate destination for Italian classics such as lasagna & Neapolitan pizza.” Address: 6931 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 739-0502  

Bubbas “Retro-style diner serving comfort food classics either at the counter or the drive-thru window.” Address: 6617 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 373-6527  

Burger House Hamburger Restaurant | @burgerhouse “Long-running fast-food chain serving burgers, hot dogs, fries & malts in a low-key setting.” Address: 6913 Hillcrest Ave, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 361-0370  

Peggy Sue BBQ, “Homey barbecue joint serving smoked meats & sides in checked-tablecloth digs.” Address: 6600 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 987-9188  

Blue Goose Cantina | @Blue_Goose “Lively local cantina chain serving mesquite-grilled Tex-Mex fare.” Address: 2905 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (214) 823-8339  

Company Cafe | Gluten-Free Restaurant | @CompanyCafeDFW “Casual spot with hip wood-paneled walls serves eclectic fare made with local & organic ingredients.” Address: 2104 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (214) 827-2233  

Rapscallion | Southern Restaurant | @RpscllnDallas “Handsome restaurant serving updated Southern fare, including Nashville-style hot chicken & more.” Address: 2023 Greenville Ave #110, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (469) 291-5660  

Snuffers | Hamburger Restaurant | @snuffersburgers “Local chain serving burgers, cheddar fries & other American classics in an old-school space.” Address: 3526 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (214) 826-6850  

Rise No. 1 | French Restaurant | @risesouffle “Sweet & savory soufflés, plus French classics & cheese in a warm space with whimsical decor.” Address: 5360 W Lovers Ln #220, Dallas, TX 75209 Phone: (214) 366-9900  

Taco Joint | Tex-Mex Restaurant | @TacoJoint “Local counter-serve chain offering Tex-Mex faves, including breakfast options, in a casual space.” Address: 6434 E Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75214 Phone: (214) 821-8226  

Maple and Motor | American Restaurant | @MAPLEANDMOTOR “Bustling counter-serve diner with hip, no-frills decor, serving serious burgers and onion rings. Address: 4810 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX 75219 Phone: (214) 522-4400  

Pappasitos Cantina | Tex-Mex Restaurant | @PappasitosTXMEX “Tex-Mex dishes are the stars at this chain with a festive look.” Address: 10433 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 75220 Phone: (214) 350-1970  

Pecan Lodge BBQ | @PecanLodge “A variety of smoked meats, sides & desserts are served at this BBQ eatery.” Address: 2702 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226 Phone: (214) 748-8900  

Cane Rosso | @canerosso “Pizzeria specializing in wood-fired Neapolitan pies. plus Italian sandwiches, pastas & desserts.” Address: 2612 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226 Phone: (214) 741-1188  

Uncle Uber’s Sammich Shop Sandwich Shop | @UncleUbers “Funky little sandwich shop offering hearty, eclectic bites amid colorful, nostalgic decor.” Address: 2713 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226 Phone: (214) 653-8237  

Torchy's Tacos | @torchystacos “Local chain serving Mexican-street-food-style tacos in inventive varieties, including for breakfast.” Address: 5921 Forest Ln #200, Dallas, TX 75230 Phone: (972) 720-9200  

Hook-Line & Sinker | Seafood Restaurant | @Hlsinker “Rustic, casual shack known for seafood every which way in boat-themed digs.” Address: 17602 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75252 Phone: (469) 587-5888  

Coffee and dessert  

Crooked Tree Coffee House | @crookedtree “Locally roasted organic coffee, breakfast pastries & sandwiches set in a homey old house with WiFi.” Address: 2414 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 953-1142  

Steel City Pops | @SteelCityPops “Go-to for craft popsicles made with organic, locally sourced ingredients in creative flavors.” Address: 2012 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206 Phone: (972) 525-7359  

Emporium Pies | @EmporiumPies “Pie specialist in a cottage with a few tables offering signature sweets & seasonal specials.” Address: 314 N Bishop Ave, Dallas, TX 75208 Phone: (469) 206-6126  

Things to do and see  

Klyde Warren Park | @KlydeWarrenPark “Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre public park in Downtown Dallas. The park is over the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, and opened in 2012. It is named for Klyde Warren, the young son of billionaire Kelcy Warren.” Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 716-4500

Logos “Wonderful locally owned Christian bookstore.” Address: 6620 Snider Plaza, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 369-3245  

Dallas Arboretum | @dallasarboretum “The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a 66-acre botanical garden located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake.” Address: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218 Area: 66 acres  

Perot Museum of Nature and Science | @PerotMuseum “The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a natural history and science museum located in Dallas, Texas. It consists of two campuses: the primary campus located in Victory Park, and a secondary campus in Fair Park.” Address: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 428-5555  

Top Golf | @Topgolf “Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range.” Address: 8787 Park Ln, Dallas, TX 75231 Phone: (214) 341-9600  

Dallas Cowboys Stadium | @dallascowboys “AT&T Stadium, formerly Cowboys Stadium, is a retractable roof stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States. It serves as the home of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League and was completed on May 27, 2009.” Address: 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011  

Fort Worth

Food

Riscky’s BBQ | @risckysbbq “Family-friendly eatery dishes BBQ classics, plus burgers & sides, in rustic digs with neon signs.” Address: 300 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 877-3306  

Heim BBQ | @HeimBBQ “Buzzy spot for handcrafted BBQ in a cozy, casual space with a small patio.” Address: 1109 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104 Phone: (817) 882-6970  

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, “Casual, old-school restaurant since 1947 with basic digs featuring cow art.” Address: 2458 N Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76164 Phone: (817) 624-3945

Joe T. Garcia’s | Tex-Mex Restaurant   “Busy Tex-Mex icon serving fajitas & more in casual, sprawling digs with a patio.” Address: 2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76164 Phone: (817) 626-4356   Coffee

Sons of Liberty Coffee Address: 250 W Lancaster Ave #120, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 330-6865  

Things to do and see

Fort Worth Stockyards & Daily cattle drives “The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic district that is located in Fort Worth, Texas, north of the central business district.” Address: 130 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164 Phone: (817) 624-4741

Lindsay Nicolet

Lindsay Nicolet serves as the editorial director for the ERLC. She oversees the day-to-day management of all content and resources from the Nashville office. Lindsay completed her Master of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is married to Justin and they have a daughter and a son. Read More by this Author

Phillip Bethancourt

Phillip Bethancourt is Senior Pastor of Central Church in College Station, Texas. Before he was called to pastor Central, he served as the Executive Vice President of the ERLC team. He completed an MDiv and PhD in Systematic Theology at Southern after attending Texas A&M University. Phillip and his wife, Cami, have been married since 2005, … Read More

Article 12: The Future of AI

We affirm that AI will continue to be developed in ways that we cannot currently imagine or understand, including AI that will far surpass many human abilities. God alone has the power to create life, and no future advancements in AI will usurp Him as the Creator of life. The church has a unique role in proclaiming human dignity for all and calling for the humane use of AI in all aspects of society.

We deny that AI will make us more or less human, or that AI will ever obtain a coequal level of worth, dignity, or value to image-bearers. Future advancements in AI will not ultimately fulfill our longings for a perfect world. While we are not able to comprehend or know the future, we do not fear what is to come because we know that God is omniscient and that nothing we create will be able to thwart His redemptive plan for creation or to supplant humanity as His image-bearers.

Genesis 1; Isaiah 42:8; Romans 1:20-21; 5:2; Ephesians 1:4-6; 2 Timothy 1:7-9; Revelation 5:9-10

Article 11: Public Policy

We affirm that the fundamental purposes of government are to protect human beings from harm, punish those who do evil, uphold civil liberties, and to commend those who do good. The public has a role in shaping and crafting policies concerning the use of AI in society, and these decisions should not be left to those who develop these technologies or to governments to set norms.

We deny that AI should be used by governments, corporations, or any entity to infringe upon God-given human rights. AI, even in a highly advanced state, should never be delegated the governing authority that has been granted by an all-sovereign God to human beings alone. 

Romans 13:1-7; Acts 10:35; 1 Peter 2:13-14

Article 10: War

We affirm that the use of AI in warfare should be governed by love of neighbor and the principles of just war. The use of AI may mitigate the loss of human life, provide greater protection of non-combatants, and inform better policymaking. Any lethal action conducted or substantially enabled by AI must employ 5 human oversight or review. All defense-related AI applications, such as underlying data and decision-making processes, must be subject to continual review by legitimate authorities. When these systems are deployed, human agents bear full moral responsibility for any actions taken by the system.

We deny that human agency or moral culpability in war can be delegated to AI. No nation or group has the right to use AI to carry out genocide, terrorism, torture, or other war crimes.

Genesis 4:10; Isaiah 1:16-17; Psalm 37:28; Matthew 5:44; 22:37-39; Romans 13:4

Article 9: Security

We affirm that AI has legitimate applications in policing, intelligence, surveillance, investigation, and other uses supporting the government’s responsibility to respect human rights, to protect and preserve human life, and to pursue justice in a flourishing society.

We deny that AI should be employed for safety and security applications in ways that seek to dehumanize, depersonalize, or harm our fellow human beings. We condemn the use of AI to suppress free expression or other basic human rights granted by God to all human beings.

Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14

Article 8: Data & Privacy

We affirm that privacy and personal property are intertwined individual rights and choices that should not be violated by governments, corporations, nation-states, and other groups, even in the pursuit of the common good. While God knows all things, it is neither wise nor obligatory to have every detail of one’s life open to society.

We deny the manipulative and coercive uses of data and AI in ways that are inconsistent with the love of God and love of neighbor. Data collection practices should conform to ethical guidelines that uphold the dignity of all people. We further deny that consent, even informed consent, although requisite, is the only necessary ethical standard for the collection, manipulation, or exploitation of personal data—individually or in the aggregate. AI should not be employed in ways that distort truth through the use of generative applications. Data should not be mishandled, misused, or abused for sinful purposes to reinforce bias, strengthen the powerful, or demean the weak.

Exodus 20:15, Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 10:16 Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 4:12-13; 1 John 1:7 

Article 7: Work

We affirm that work is part of God’s plan for human beings participating in the cultivation and stewardship of creation. The divine pattern is one of labor and rest in healthy proportion to each other. Our view of work should not be confined to commercial activity; it must also include the many ways that human beings serve each other through their efforts. AI can be used in ways that aid our work or allow us to make fuller use of our gifts. The church has a Spirit-empowered responsibility to help care for those who lose jobs and to encourage individuals, communities, employers, and governments to find ways to invest in the development of human beings and continue making vocational contributions to our lives together.

We deny that human worth and dignity is reducible to an individual’s economic contributions to society alone. Humanity should not use AI and other technological innovations as a reason to move toward lives of pure leisure even if greater social wealth creates such possibilities.

Genesis 1:27; 2:5; 2:15; Isaiah 65:21-24; Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-16

Article 6: Sexuality

We affirm the goodness of God’s design for human sexuality which prescribes the sexual union to be an exclusive relationship between a man and a woman in the lifelong covenant of marriage.

We deny that the pursuit of sexual pleasure is a justification for the development or use of AI, and we condemn the objectification of humans that results from employing AI for sexual purposes. AI should not intrude upon or substitute for the biblical expression of sexuality between a husband and wife according to God’s design for human marriage.

Genesis 1:26-29; 2:18-25; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Thess 4:3-4

Article 5: Bias

We affirm that, as a tool created by humans, AI will be inherently subject to bias and that these biases must be accounted for, minimized, or removed through continual human oversight and discretion. AI should be designed and used in such ways that treat all human beings as having equal worth and dignity. AI should be utilized as a tool to identify and eliminate bias inherent in human decision-making.

We deny that AI should be designed or used in ways that violate the fundamental principle of human dignity for all people. Neither should AI be used in ways that reinforce or further any ideology or agenda, seeking to subjugate human autonomy under the power of the state.

Micah 6:8; John 13:34; Galatians 3:28-29; 5:13-14; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12:10

Article 4: Medicine

We affirm that AI-related advances in medical technologies are expressions of God’s common grace through and for people created in His image and that these advances will increase our capacity to provide enhanced medical diagnostics and therapeutic interventions as we seek to care for all people. These advances should be guided by basic principles of medical ethics, including beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice, which are all consistent with the biblical principle of loving our neighbor.

We deny that death and disease—effects of the Fall—can ultimately be eradicated apart from Jesus Christ. Utilitarian applications regarding healthcare distribution should not override the dignity of human life. Fur- 3 thermore, we reject the materialist and consequentialist worldview that understands medical applications of AI as a means of improving, changing, or completing human beings.

Matthew 5:45; John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:4

Article 3: Relationship of AI & Humanity

We affirm the use of AI to inform and aid human reasoning and moral decision-making because it is a tool that excels at processing data and making determinations, which often mimics or exceeds human ability. While AI excels in data-based computation, technology is incapable of possessing the capacity for moral agency or responsibility.

We deny that humans can or should cede our moral accountability or responsibilities to any form of AI that will ever be created. Only humanity will be judged by God on the basis of our actions and that of the tools we create. While technology can be created with a moral use in view, it is not a moral agent. Humans alone bear the responsibility for moral decision making.

Romans 2:6-8; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 1 John 2:1

Article 2: AI as Technology

We affirm that the development of AI is a demonstration of the unique creative abilities of human beings. When AI is employed in accordance with God’s moral will, it is an example of man’s obedience to the divine command to steward creation and to honor Him. We believe in innovation for the glory of God, the sake of human flourishing, and the love of neighbor. While we acknowledge the reality of the Fall and its consequences on human nature and human innovation, technology can be used in society to uphold human dignity. As a part of our God-given creative nature, human beings should develop and harness technology in ways that lead to greater flourishing and the alleviation of human suffering.

We deny that the use of AI is morally neutral. It is not worthy of man’s hope, worship, or love. Since the Lord Jesus alone can atone for sin and reconcile humanity to its Creator, technology such as AI cannot fulfill humanity’s ultimate needs. We further deny the goodness and benefit of any application of AI that devalues or degrades the dignity and worth of another human being. 

Genesis 2:25; Exodus 20:3; 31:1-11; Proverbs 16:4; Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 3:23

Article 1: Image of God

We affirm that God created each human being in His image with intrinsic and equal worth, dignity, and moral agency, distinct from all creation, and that humanity’s creativity is intended to reflect God’s creative pattern.

We deny that any part of creation, including any form of technology, should ever be used to usurp or subvert the dominion and stewardship which has been entrusted solely to humanity by God; nor should technology be assigned a level of human identity, worth, dignity, or moral agency.

Genesis 1:26-28; 5:1-2; Isaiah 43:6-7; Jeremiah 1:5; John 13:34; Colossians 1:16; 3:10; Ephesians 4:24