How Should Kingdom Citizens Relate to Gays and A New Gay-Friendly America? “My truth is that I am a gay American,” are the words that Gov. Jim McGreevey spoke as he was resigning from the governorship of New Jersey on August 13, 2004 because circumstances forced him to disclose the fact that he was a homosexual. “I am an openly, proud gay man,” are the words of Mr. Michael Sam, who was an excellent football player at the University of Missouri this past season and is expected by some to go as high as the 3rd round in the upcoming NFL Draft. Between the years of Gov. McGreevey’s … [Read more...] about When Saints Live in Sodom (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
When Paul Couldn’t Move On
“Get me my amanuensis,” shouts an angry Paul. An amanuensis is the guy that writes letters. In this case he’ll write out the angry ranting of a perturbed apostle. You see, Paul was just informed that some dudes are going about Rome preaching in such a way that it will stir up trouble for him. Their preaching is relatively orthodox but it’s vindictive. They hope that as they preach Paul’s gospel that it will cause more pain for him in prison. And Paul’s going to have none of it. After all he’s got a name to protect. So, Paul calls for his amanuensis to set these turkeys straight and put … [Read more...] about When Paul Couldn’t Move On
Storying, Orality, and the Bible
I've already introduced the concept of orality in an earlier post. You can read that here. The article contains links to other sites that can add to the picture. A frequently-occuring objection to the use of storying in evangelism, discipleship and teaching assumes that stories fit children's spiritual needs, while exegesis and exposition necessarily satiate the spiritually and intellectually mature. One critic suggested that a storying approach to teaching required us to set aside "theological complexities" in favor of a narrative approach. "Talk to children," came the rejoinder to the … [Read more...] about Storying, Orality, and the Bible
The Dangers of Entrepreneurship in Pastoral Ministry
*This was originally posted at mattsvo.com* John Piper once wrote a book titled, “Brothers, We Are Not Professionals.” It is fantastic and I recommend it for every pastor. It warns pastors of falling into the error of “professionalism.” Piper knew that falling into a spirit of professionalism as pastors could essentially destroy the essence of our calling as pastors. A spirit of professionalism is still a danger to pastor ministry, but I think we are seeing a new wave: a spirit of entrepreneurship. While these two things are in many way inseparable, I think there is some important nuance … [Read more...] about The Dangers of Entrepreneurship in Pastoral Ministry
Are Believers and Unbelievers All That Different?
Jim was thirty-three, but the marvel in his eyes made him look like a toddler exploring new worlds. One searching look at his own pale white skin and then another look at the man lying on the bed. It was like looking in a mirror—but only a mirror that told the future. The same hooked nose that stared at him in the mirror in the morning was the same one on the face of the man on the bed. He chuckled a little as he looked down and realized that at thirty-three he was already dressing like his grandfather—scraggily beard, flannel shirt, jeans that were on day three, and tennis shoes that had … [Read more...] about Are Believers and Unbelievers All That Different?
Is There More I Could Have Done? Reflections on a Painful Loss
I got a call today, one I would have never expected. My good friend, a pastor in my state and someone I'd spent a lot of time with, one of the nicest men you could ever possibly meet, decided to end his own life. I was reluctant to say anything on this blog, but Facebook is full of the story, he is on the news and a pastor friend from North Carolina even contacted me about it. With social media, there are no secrets anymore. So, I guess it doesn't hurt for me to reflect on it a little bit and to draw a conclusion from the tragedy. That's how I process things. I write about them. I hope you … [Read more...] about Is There More I Could Have Done? Reflections on a Painful Loss
An Open Response to Rev. Al Sharpton’s Op-Ed Supporting Michael Sam (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
AN OPEN RESPONSE TO REV. AL SHARPTON’S OP-ED SUPPORTING MICHAEL SAM BY WILLIAM DWIGHT MCKISSIC, SR. Fighting for morality is not an easy thing to do. Fighting for the soul of a nation, a people, and a culture that’s historically been rooted in a Judeo-Christian value system, but is rapidly moving at a record breaking speed toward secularism and humanism as its core value system, is also not easy. To stand for truth, righteousness, and the wisdom of God in an age where God’s published thoughts on a subject are rejected even by His preachers, is increasingly becoming a difficult thing to do. … [Read more...] about An Open Response to Rev. Al Sharpton’s Op-Ed Supporting Michael Sam (by Wm Dwight McKissic, Sr)
What I’d Like to See in the Next SBC President
As far as I am concerned, we could change the bylaws and make Fred Luter SBC President for life. I got to travel to Israel with him back in October and it is my humble but correct opinion that the closer the next president is to Fred Luter in temperament, passion and deportment, the better we all will be. Of course, I felt the same way about Bryant Wright. He was a good man and did a good job. And I have an unabashed man-crush on Frank Page and I thought Johnny Hunt did a great job as well. But the Luter administration has been refreshing in many ways and I am sorry that it will come to an end … [Read more...] about What I’d Like to See in the Next SBC President
An A Posteriori Cessationist Considers Evidence for A Priori Cessationism
OK, first a refresher course: I am an a posteriori cessationist. Basically, I do not believe that an airtight case can be made from the New Testament to demonstrate any promise either that the sign gifts of the Holy Spirit would cease at the end of the apostolic age or that they would not. Either the continuation of the gifts or the cessation of them would be a possible outcome from the New Testament data. In other words, if the gifts have ceased, this would not impugn the reliability of the New Testament at all, since the New Testament makes no definitive claim about the duration of these … [Read more...] about An A Posteriori Cessationist Considers Evidence for A Priori Cessationism
From One Preacher to Another: An Open Letter to Bill Gothard (by Joel Rainey)
Joel Rainey is the Director of Missions at Mid-Maryland Baptist Association, an adjunct professor at Capital Bible Seminary and blogs at Themelios (Twitter - @joelrainey). Dear Bill, I write this letter feeling very strange. In light of the prescribed discipleship method of Titus 2, this younger man who could theoretically be your son feels a bit weird. Nevertheless, after having read about the accusations of sexual harassment by multiple women who have worked under your authority, I feel compelled to express what I'm feeling right now to an older man who is supposed to model what it … [Read more...] about From One Preacher to Another: An Open Letter to Bill Gothard (by Joel Rainey)