Jeremy Parks

I'm a new-comer to the discussion of antinomianism.  I've seen folks confidently toss the word around, the heptasyllabic term rolling off their fingertips and on to the digital page.  Finally, disgusted with my own ignorance, I determined to ascend from the pit of theological cognitive stupidity in search of greater intellectual challenges. In short, I looked it up on Wikipedia.  I also read an article on narcissism in dogs. As I understand the concept, antinomianism essentially claims freedom from all law, moral or otherwise, as an aspect of Christian living, justification, and … [Read more...] about Antinomianism: Too Far or Not Far Enough?

I blame my parents, really, for all my troubles. Mom had hearing so perfect she could hear paint dry.  Dad couldn't hear a low-yield nuclear weapon.  My sister took after Mom, and I - naturally - followed in my father's ever-silencing footsteps.  A huge schnoz, blue eyes, and hearing loss are my primary paternal genetic hand-me-downs.  Our mutual hearing loss was slowly progressive, making communication slightly harder as the years rolled by.  No big deal for me, really; I can't recall a time when Mom didn't tell people that I had "a little trouble hearing." As little boys are wont to … [Read more...] about Too Much of a Good Thing

There's a profession out there, a noble and honorable one on which society depends, that has earned my contempt. I won't name it here; I see no reason to earn what would ultimately be a warranted amount of scorn and enmity by actually naming the career path in question.  As well, I lack any desire to besmirch the fabulous members of what is - again - a great and wonderful profession.  I must, however, have some way of referencing the job and those who labor at it, so I'll simply call the members of this profession wooblers.  The infinitive form is to wooble.  The verb conjugates regularly: … [Read more...] about Of Wooblers and Heroes

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John … [Read more...] about Servant Or Server?

As Christians, we have an obligation to examine all aspects of our lives in order to ensure that we honor God daily.  However, not every issue of life falls into neat, easily-evaluated categories. One such problem is that of cochlear implants. In essence, a cochlear implant is a surgically-implanted device that doctors thread directly into the cochleas of deaf children/infants in hopes of restoring some auditory abilities.  An external component collects the sound and communicates it to the internal portion.  However, even the most ardent advocates for cochlear implants admit that it is … [Read more...] about Cochlear Implants: A Christian Issue?

Mixed-up sexuality is a pretty big thing in the Deaf community here in Ecuador.  We have men dressing as girls, entering beauty pageants with glittering dresses and fabulous hair.  Lesbians abound as well, forming their own soccer teams and voting blocks in the Deaf clubs and associations.  We’ve even got a small pocket of folks who have gone so far as to have surgery and injections and counseling in order to acquire a new gender that they prefer more than the one they had at birth. About six months ago, I became aware of a man who had become a woman through the surgical/hormonal route.  He … [Read more...] about Practical Theology: Sex Changes and the Post-Salvation Life

A buddy of mine, Oswald, married a terrible woman many years ago.  Oswald was young and dumb and probably lacked chest hair, so he wasn’t the greatest find, either.  Over the last 20 years, Oswald has tired of her antics, her verbal abuse of the children, her affairs.  He walked out about 18 months ago and other than periodic visits to the child, he’s been out of her life. In the last 8 months, Oswald has found a God-sized hole in his heart and has successfully filled that void.  He drops by the house once or twice a week for coffee and sugar-free pastries (he’s diabetic).  Recently, he … [Read more...] about Practical Theology: Marital Hostages

My name is Sammy.  I'm 24 years old, and I live far away from most of you.  I don't have a car, a passport, or a Judeo-Christian cultural background.  I do, however, have a story. I remember the first time I saw Mr. Robert and his wife Sarah.  As usual, I was hawking my father's special tea from a small metal cart containing a small brazier of live coals, simmering water, and an enormous bag of aromatic leaves for the beverages I sold.  The American missionaries stood in the market surrounded by my people, an island of khaki and plaid in a sea of solid-colored shawls and scarves.  Bright … [Read more...] about Persecution of the Unsaved

We had some volunteers recently, and I thought I'd share a little about their trip.  Consider this half reporting/half case study. The Background  Along Ecuador's northwestern coast, the province of Esmeraldas is a beautiful expanse of relatively undeveloped jungles, rivers, and beaches.  While the people are great, the province as a whole is not very well-off, financially speaking.  The people with whom we were working, Deaf Ecuadorians, have few educational opportunities, limited employment, and have never had a church of their own.  No one has even offered them the chance to be a vital … [Read more...] about Volunteers: A Single Case Study

"Lillian," Roger pronounced, "has no interest in God.  She cares nothing for matters of holiness or sin." Rog and I were sitting in a humid hotel room in Puyo, Ecuador.  He's a Deaf Christian who's been attending Friday night Bible studies for a while.  His Christian life has been a rocky one - divorce, adultery, unrepentant arrogance - but he seems to be back on the narrow path.  He boldly admits to his sins and the carnage in his wake.  Proclaiming a risen Christ and a forgiving God are seemingly high on his priority list. "I tell her she should come to Friday nights.  She knows we … [Read more...] about Micro-Contextualization