Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift. I am thinking about this week and the story it tells in the Christian life and how we live according to an alternative reality that is rooted in Heaven and not this world. Tomorrow and Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments involving the legalization of Gay Marriage in America. That is not a small issue. We debate politics, the economy, and who has power and who does not. Christians live in a world that is telling and living by a story different from what we see in Scripture. What are we to think? What are we to do? I think that the … [Read more...] about Easter Story: Sin/Suffering, Cross, Resurrection, Ascension, New Creation (by Alan Cross)
PASTORS – Could We Use a Little Self-examination? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. There is much to learn from our Puritan brothers. As pastors they spent countless hours studying, praying, and pouring over the souls of people. They were deeply embedded in pursuing the things of God. They diagnosed the plight of man not merely as guilt for sins, but a greater pollution and bondage to sin. Not bondage to sins of particular weaknesses of character or bad habits, but a state of being. The depravity of man’s heart was the concern. “They sought to expose the sinfulness … [Read more...] about PASTORS – Could We Use a Little Self-examination? (by Andy Hynes)
The Future of Pastoral Ministry: Are we Really Up to This? (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey blogs at Themelios. He is the Executive Director of the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association. I spent this morning with a colleague working on the contours of a potential Doctor of Ministry program for Maryland pastors, and among other things, we discussed the future of pastoral ministry. For a few semesters, I've had the honor of teaching Pastoral Theology at a local seminary,and one of the units we cover relates to the task of leadership in emerging culture. As an introduction to this unit, I give the students a description of what the world will look like in the not-too-distant … [Read more...] about The Future of Pastoral Ministry: Are we Really Up to This? (by Joel Rainey)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #4: Faithful Biblical Application is Redemptive If God-centered, exegetically-based, faith-building application is going to prove genuinely biblical, it must be presented in a thoroughly gospel context. Therefore, the final principle of sound biblical application is that biblical application must be redemptive. In the midst of all applying, knowing, and striving the preacher must firmly tether his teaching and his audience to the cross. The work of Christ in securing, revealing, and preserving salvation for his people cannot be … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 4 (by Bill Gernenz)
Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. While my family and I were standing in line for the Jack Sparrow ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a couple of teenagers in front of us turned around and asked me that question. I responded with the typical, “Well Catholics can be Christians, but they are not synonymous.” Later as I was pondering my response, I became concerned about what I said. Linking the possibility of being a Christian to the Catholic Church may not have been the best idea. Maybe I am the only one who has said … [Read more...] about Are Catholics and Christians the Same? (by Andy Hynes)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #3: Faithful Biblical Application Builds Faith The aim of God-centered, exegetically-sound biblical application should ultimately be what Wayne McDill identifies as “a faith response” (12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, 187-198). While pastors discuss the many and varied purposes of preaching, “the fundamental objective of preaching remains faith.” McDill explains: The overarching aim of preaching is to call for faith in the hearer. . . the focus of preaching must be the object of faith, the person of God. The preacher enhances … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 3 (by Bill Gernenz)
Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Principle #2: Biblical Application Demands Thorough Exegesis Unfortunately, God-centered application does not spontaneously appear in the sermon-preparing process. It demands thorough exegesis, exegesis that does not stop digging until sound, biblical application is unearthed. To this end, Douglas Stuart has aptly stated that application “should be just as rigorous, just as thorough, and just as analytically sound as any other step in the exegesis process” (How Sermons Work, 111). Until application has been made, exegesis is not complete. … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application: Part 2 (by Bill Gernenz)
What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)
Andy Hynes is a PhD candidate at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Follow him @ABHYNES on Twitter. Dear Missions Participant, If you are a pastor, leader, or a participant in missions here are some words of encouragement. I have had to filter these through my heart as well. This post rose out of a quick vision trip I took to Guatemala to work with a reputable organization. 1. Why are you going? This is the first question to ask oneself. Is the trip for my agenda and me, or for Christ? The answer to the question may not be easy to ascertain, but true contemplation may … [Read more...] about What’s Your Agenda? (by Andy Hynes)
Rand Paul Exposes The Ideological Collapse of the Democratic Party (by Alan Cross)
Alan Cross blogs at Downshore Drift! Throughout my lifetime, Democrats have ideologically defended civil liberties and have raised opposition to the power of the state interfering in the lives of Americans. Groups like the ACLU have consistently defended Constitutional rights of Americans to protest and engage in free assembly and to be free of government intrusion. Of course, their concern for religious freedom has often been muted because of their own biases, but overall, they have supported liberty. This has also applied to American military involvement and the Constitutional rights of … [Read more...] about Rand Paul Exposes The Ideological Collapse of the Democratic Party (by Alan Cross)
Making Biblical Application – Principle 1 (by Bill Gernenz)
Bill Gernenz blogs at Broken and Undone. Hey guys… I need your help. And I hope we can be mutually edified by this discussion. The short of it is this: I have been working on a doctoral project and am in need of some conversations – you know, mutual and humble exchanges of opinions formed by personal study and experience. The topic? Preaching. More specifically: application in preaching. As part of my project, I have identified four principles of faithful biblical application. I would like to get feedback on each of these principles. Three specific questions I would like to explore … [Read more...] about Making Biblical Application – Principle 1 (by Bill Gernenz)