The Preacher and Politics: Seven Thoughts
When preachers are quickly criticized for saying too much (you’re not gospel-centered!) or saying too little (you’re not woke!), it behooves us to think carefully about the relationship between pastoral ministry and politics.
Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. That’s a political statement. Every sermon touches on the polis, on the city of man, on our earthly citizenship. But that’s not what I have in mind, at least not entirely. What I mean by “politics” are the elections, the elected officials, the political parties, and the endless stream of policy... Continue Reading
Let’s Address Missionary Objections to Seminary
For me, seminary proved to be a formative experience in spite of common objections.
My wife and I always envisioned landing on the mission field straight out of college. But as we approached my senior year, I began to rethink our plans. For one, I didn’t feel grounded theologically. Second, I didn’t know if we were spiritually mature enough for the rigors of ministry overseas. I can still remember... Continue Reading
I Signed up for This
Generally speaking, there are two kinds of pastors' wives: those who know they are marrying into the ministry, and those who get adopted into the ministry.
There are those wives who marry men who never set out for the pastorate, but sometime early (or later) into their marriage, their husbands sense the call of God, enroll in seminary, and enter full-time ministry. Then there are the wives who marry men studying for the pastorate, knowing at the onset they will be... Continue Reading
Martin or Matteo?
A historical look at Protestant and Catholic poverty-fighting.
The different approaches of these two men with hearts for the poor are more than personal views. They reflect, five centuries after the Protestant Reformation, historically dueling evangelical and Catholic attitudes toward poverty. James Whitford, 48, founder and director of the Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission in Joplin, tells stories of rescues from poverty.... Continue Reading
Prisoners Turned Missionaries Describe Societal Barriers They Faced After Serving Their Time
Avila has overcome his hurdles and today is not only serving former inmates returning to society but also operates a music ministry called HEAT.
Although Avila has been successful in his return to society as a businessman who now helps minister and council young men who are just now getting out of prisons, he faced some of the 48,000 legal barriers that create an essential “second prison” for ex-inmates in their life after release. A former drug dealer who racked up... Continue Reading
When Preaching Is Big & God Is Small
Speaking in front of people still triggers a low-grade fear
“Most often, I suffer the same problem as the authorities. I love glory, and I want to get it from other people. I want to be esteemed and praised. And I want my stock to go up when I speak. I’m a glory-hound – I love the glory that comes from man more than the... Continue Reading
One Great Difference Between A Covenantal Piety And The American Conversionist Alternative
By conversionism I mean the view that unless one can remember a specific time, event, or experience during which one became a believer, one is most likely not actually converted
“Suffice it to say that the biblical picture of salvation is rather different. Our Lord in no way implied in Revelation 3:20 that humans have the ability to will the contrary. The same God who sent 10 plagues upon Pharaoh and Egypt, who parted the Red Sea, and who delivered his people through it on... Continue Reading
Andy Stanley: Church Unity Is More Important Than ‘Being Theologically Correct’
Stanley spoke of how he came to believe that believing in Jesus Christ was more important than theological arguments like how communion should be served or if babies should be baptized
“Will we prioritize our oneness over our politics? Will we continue to allow the kingdom of the world to divide the Kingdom of God that is in this world because of politics?” Stanley argued that oneness in the faith was “more important than being theologically correct,” adding that he believed when Christians of various denominations... Continue Reading
The Greatest Threats Facing The YRR Resurgence
The Reformed crowd is at it’s best when it is reading and discussing old, multi-volume books. It is at it’s worst when it is Tweeting and posting moment by moment.
“The YRR movement has attempted to be centre bound. It has tended to gather around agreed upon doctrines – such as the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrines of grace and the traditional teaching on human gender and sexuality. On these positions they continue to enjoy widespread unity and agreement. But the devil is in the... Continue Reading
The Church is Broken
We must approach the body of Christ with open eyes. It is made up of sinners.
“The call to be a Christian is all about Christ and what He is making us, while in the church. When we become Christians, we are called to be a part of the body of Christ. We cannot in any defensible way say that we are Christians, without being a part of the visible church.... Continue Reading
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- …
- 602
- Next Page »