It’s interesting how certain things intersect. Mark Driscoll on the Resurgence blog has an eight-minute video about “fundamentalists” and their problems: “7 Ways to Know If You Are Becoming a Fundamentalist.” Personally, I think a better choice of word would be “legalist,” but who am I? I do think he makes some good criticisms of “religious” types.
Also, just recently Faith Baptist Bible College’s newest Faith Pulpit came out with an article by Dr. Rick Shrader. In it he argues against using the “fundamentalist” label in a popular context and argues for a stricter definition of legalism and liberty than used in evangelical circles. I’m not sure I always agree with him either, but I do appreciate the more careful use of terms and argumentation that Dr. Shrader supplies. Continue reading Fundamentalism, Legalism, Mark Driscoll, and Faith
Have you ever had to explain the meaning of the phrase “quit you like men” in1 Corinthians 16:13 in the King James Version? The archaic rendering of the word translated “quit” actually has an opposite meaning than the modern-day meaning of “give up,” “surrender,” or “throw in the towel.” The word “quit” in the KJV means “to acquit or conduct oneself.” So the verse in the KJV is saying, “Conduct yourself like a man!” or “Act like a man!” or “Be a man!” or “Man up!” I haven’t used the KJV for many years, but a recent article about churches and their men’s ministries seeking to reach out to men in their communities by using the Mixed Martial Arts reminded me of the irrelevancy of this archaic translation and how even in ministry a desire for relevancy can actually lead to irrelevancy. Continue reading Do Godly Men Quit or Tap?
Cody Crigger, music and administration pastor at Willow Creek Baptist Church, West Des Moines, Iowa, has found and used a wonderful new song. The following is his description of the song, the song lyrics, and links to the song on the artist’s website and iTunes.
Because of Your Love
The beginning of ”Because of Your Love” beautifully explains unique aspects of the gospel and, more specifically, Christ as our substitute. It begins in a unique way with the words “endured my pain” and “bore all my shame.” Next the lyrics show that the innocent and holy Creator is the Savior for the very creation that turned from Him. It then moves to our freedom and desire to serve because of His initial love. The melody is simple yet memorable for the congregation. It uses subdued verses and then climaxes in anthem to our Savior. If your church strives to teach Scripture through music, you will appreciate that these truths will be long remembered through this well-written melody. Continue reading Great Song: “Because of Your Love”
Growing in ministry skills is a desired learning outcome of pastoral mentoring. John Greening and Jim Vogel are inviting a group of seven men to join them in a mentoring relationship. The men must be either currently in vocational ministry or preparing for vocational ministry (college or seminary level). The learning environment will be an online collaborative community. Both inductive and constructive approaches to learning will be utilized. Through one-hour biweekly interaction on ministry practices the group will reach for the following learning objectives:
Gain an understanding of the dynamics of pastoral ministry: e.g., leadership, interpersonal relationships, communication, circumstantial appropriateness, etc.
Aspire to a godly “best practices” approach to ministry.
Develop the competencies of Christlike pastoring.
Enhance ministry effectiveness through intentional involvement with other pastors/churches/ministries within the GARBC.
If you are interested in participating in this mentoring relationship, please submit an email of request to John Greening and Jim Vogel stating your desire to be included in this group and your reasons for wanting to be involved. A maximum of seven men will be invited to join this group.
Do antidepressants help those who have been diagnosed as being clinically depressed? Most people, including doctors, would say yes. One can hardly watch TV without seeing an advertisement for an antidepressant promising help and hope to the defeated and depressed. In 2005, 27 million people took antidepressants.
Many of you have heard the term “missional” before. It is a buzzword among churches that are seeking to be relevant in their communities in bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Missional churches see themselves as missionaries and seek to live out this reality everywhere they go.
A lot has been said about the missional church. What do you have to say about it? I’m curious to hear your responses.
*Originally posted on 9Marks.org. Republished with permission.
One Thing I Remember from Preaching Class
byKevin DeYoung
This has helped me. I pass it along to any young preachers out there looking for free advice.
When you come to a passage there are four things you can do: illustrate, defend, explain, apply. I rearranged the order from seminary class so the four points make a convenient acronym: IDEA. Most young preachers, and probably most preachers in general, gravitate toward “explain.” Continue reading One Thing I Remember from Preaching Class
Last week a plethora of helpful resources was posted online in anticipation of last weekend’s Sanctity of Life Sunday. Perhaps you can bookmark some of these links for use in the future. Continue reading Recent Pro-Life Posts
Kevin DeYoung has written a helpful article on a definition of social justice. The term “social justice” is used a lot today, with various meanings attached. DeYoung’s main point is that we should be careful how we use it. Notice the key differences: Continue reading Social Justice: A Definition
According to the Associated Press, Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will appear in a Super Bowl commercial produced and paid for by Focus on the Family. It will tell the story of Pam Tebow’s 1987 pregnancy. “After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim.”
The Septuagint is a rich resource for those studying the Old Testament. For many of the writers of the New Testament, the LXX was the preferred translation (for example, that is all the author of Hebrews uses in his Old Testament quotations). The problem for the modern minister, who perhaps isn’t as sharp in Greek as [...]
Which authors (living or dead) have most influenced your thought?
This was a question recently posed to me by a younger friend who is considering entering pastoral ministry. Honestly, I hate this question because it forces me to make a short list out of what should be a very long one. But I also love this [...]
I do think he makes some good criticisms of “religious” types.
