I have frequently observed that if we were to understand the way authority works in the Kingdom of God, we would have less arguments about who gets what title. Maybe we’d drop as many titles as possible.
Dave Black comments on this, and quotes Markus Barth today. I think he has a point.
My previous post, Does the Bible Condone Slavery?, has produced some interesting responses, and one very valid question is just how I think the Bible should be used in making decisions. I’m going to try to keep this brief, but I’m not very good at that, so bear with me! The most common analogy I’ve…
My Breaking Christian News E-Mail tipped me off to this article on http://www.worldnetdaily.com”>WorldNetDaily titled End creation-evolution debate in your home. This sort of thing amazes me and makes me very, very concerned. The article advertises a new printing of the book Bishop James Ussher, The Annals of the World. Now I certainly do not mind…
A recent jury verdict against a group of hatemongers has brought up lots of questions. One that I heard was simply this: “The Bible says homosexuality is an abomination. How can you, as a Christian, claim that this group that protests at military funerals is not a good representation of Christianity?” There are a huge…
I’m an advocate of accountability, especially in church matters and our spiritual lives. I think it makes for wiser decision making and greater likelihood that we will carry out our goals. Accountability can come in many forms, from very formalized, such as an accountability group that meets regularly in which you question one another’s spiritual…
My company is offering special prices on all our books related to the Old Testament. I decided to blog a bit about the books we’re offering. So if you don’t want to hear about books that are for sale, this one isn’t for you. On the other hand, I promise to be wordy, tell stories,…
There are some basics about what evolution is and is not, and what the various positions of both creationists and evolutionists are, that everyone who steps into the debate should know. Some examples include the difference between a young earth and an old earth creationist. I’ve seen a few discussions in internet fora in which…
And if we really paid attention to Phil 2:5-6, we’d hold those titles and positions lightly, not regarding them as something to be grasped.
Interesting how many attitudes and behaviors that passage will impact!
I’ve often thought that that passage should be highlighted in any “leadership” training. And yet I’m unaware of any where it is (which could be my own ignorance).
I once co-taught two full days with some pastors overseas, including strong emphasis on that passage. On the final day, my co-teacher asked the group what that verse meant. He immediately replied, “That we should get busy and do the work of ministry.”
I think it is very difficult for us to get the idea that every member is a minister.