In Defense of Orthodoxy

Missionshift discussion

2011-01-20T22:03:00.000-08:00

I am currently reading a book on missiology for an online discussion with a group of people, including noted missiologist Ed Stetzer. The book Missionshift deals with three major essays regarding the past, present and future of missiology and then several that respond to each particular essay. Then we who are reading the book get to have our say in the discussion as well.

We will focus on major essay one by Charles Van Engen, “Mission” Defined and Described. He presents a brief history of “mission” and the evolution of its definition over time. More importantly he observes its two main attributes: the nature of being sent, and the authority that comes with being sent. To illustrate he references Luke 9 and 10, the sending of the 12 and the 70. Ultimately, Jesus sends them (and us) out with authority and power to proclaim the kingdom of God to humanity.

Before we go further, it might be beneficial to discuss “mission” and “missions”. Although related they are different. A simple definition of “mission” is God’s plan to reconcile man back to himself, and from realization this we engage in missions, i.e. church planting, missionary efforts in foreign countries, community outreaches, etc.

However, Van Engen shows that as the definition changes, so does the missions’ focus. For example he discusses missionary William Carey’s definition of mission: evangelizing unreached people groups and involving them in Christ’s church, and then critiques the church planting emphasis of missions: building and nurturing churches in indigenous regions. I think that each of these emphases are not complete, but simply pieces of a bigger puzzle. We must be careful to capture the full picture solely upon a proper understanding of Scripture.

This is the view of Keith Eitel. He holds that unless the modern Church holds to a conservative hermeneutical approach, then its definition of mission could go off course. I fully agree with that statement. So often we see churches with right intentions, but without proper understanding of Scripture that leads to error. He mentions the emergent church that while wanting to be missional in a postmodern world, has the dangerous tendency to be relativistic in its worldview. I agree with him. To be true to the original intent of mission, it must be with a correct view of Scripture: that it alone is authoritative for faith and practice, that the entire Bible is relevant and worthy of application, and that it must be interpreted (as much as it can be) without personal feeling, bias or agenda. Let Scripture speak, then obey as we know how, partnering with God in his mission.

Enoch Wan is another writer contributing to the critique of Van Engen’s essay. Wan feels that Engen lacked a more Trinitarian approach in referring to and discussing God’s mission. But on this topic I must disagree with him. Although the Trinity is referred to in The Great Commission, the ultimate focus is Christ. According to basic Christian doctrine salvation is found in Christ alone, by faith alone, and through his grace alone. Paul preached the death and resurrection of Christ. And though the Holy Spirit is mentioned in Acts 1:8, the Holy Ghost power is for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel to the world.

(this is a work in progress...more to come hopefully tomorrow.)

To Transform a City

2011-01-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

To Transform a City can be bought at Zondervan.com and Amazon.com

If you want to increase your vision for the kingdom of God, then To Transform a City is the book to get! Authors Eric Swanson and Sam Williams offer a great examination on the influence of cities both in biblical and modern times. They argue that if you can transform a city, then you can change the world through the Gospel. It is inspiring and eye-opening to see the stats and how our modern world is rapidly becoming an urban culture. They show how the Apostle Paul strategically went to the major cities of the Roman Empire on his missionary journeys and the exponential growth of the church through the following centuries.

The authors argue for a balance of the vocal Gopsel (i.e. preaching and evangelism) along with acts of service for the community. They give great suggestions and advice based upon their own extensive experiences as well as principles they have found from Scripture. They show how the local church can become a positive influence in the community, especially by linking up with other churches and believers that share a passion for growing the Kingdom of God. But even that level of involvement can be taken higher by partnering with the private business and government sectors of society. Often the church is better off to join an established community organization rather than creating a “Christian” alternative.

Ultimately the evangelistic mission is bigger than the local church. Many books exist on how to grow a church or particular ministry, but it is refreshing to see a kingdom mindset. This is a necessary resource for church planters, pastors or anyone looking to engage the culture around them

Ethnic Blends Book Review

2010-11-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

This book can be found on Zondervan.com and Amazon.com.

Ethnic Blends sounds more like a Starbucks cup of coffee rather than a book about diversity in the local church. But just as coffee represents a blend of beans from around the world, so the local church should also be a representation of diverse cultures unified around Jesus Christ. Using the coffee motif, Mark DeYmaz and Harry Li teach how to intentionally create a multi-ethnic church from a homogeneous (single culture) congregation.

DeYmaz and Li draw their theology from Scripture, examining the book of Acts and more specifically, highlight the congregation of Antioch. The elders and staff there exhibited a passion for the Gentile culture, many who were Gentiles themselves. They also highlight Paul’s ministry and Jesus’ as well, expounding on the principles from their ministry to the different cultures. Not just biblical scholars, they share their story of Mosaic, a diverse church in Little Rock, Arkansas. They honestly show the triumphs and struggles of such an undertaking, detailing obstacles and challenges including worship music, church mergers, cultural misunderstandings, etc. They also give the reader a glimpse into other diverse churches around the world and how they do ministry.

This book is indeed “blended” well. It provides a clear exposition of the biblical principle of a unified, multi-ethnic church in Acts, and will challenge you to intentionally strive for the same. Ethnic Blends gives the inspiration and know-how, equipping you for the no-so-easy-yet-rewarding journey toward a true representation of what Christ’s church should look like.

Fatherless Generation: Redeeming the Story

2010-10-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

This is a book review of Fatherless Generation: Redeeming the Story by John Sowers. It is an excellent resource for the church to use in understanding the culture of those who have no father. You can find it at zondervan.com and amazon.com.

Fatherless Generation is a power-packed punch to the church today. It will move you to tears as you read the stories behind the statistics. John Sowers shares his story and those of both obscure individuals and prominant musicians. He is a voice that represents the countless men and women, boys and girls who have no father.

But this book brings hope, a redemption to the stories gone horribly wrong. He shares how his mentors influenced his life: a karate instructor, a pirate, and a hunter. He shows how a relationship with the Heavenly Father changed everything. And I have seen it first-hand in the lives of some friends who have benefited from personal mentorship. It is the church's responsibility to reverse the trend and mentor the fatherless into amazing men and women who will change the pattern for their children.

It is certainly a must read that will make you think about a topic not mentioned often in the church. It is an echo of the biblical mandate and challenge to take care of the fatherless.

The Modern Tentmaker: The Challenges of a Bi-vocational Pastor

2010-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Bi-vocational ministry is as old as the New Testament church, yet it continues today. The bi-vocational pastor might be found in a small rural church, an urban church plant, a house church, or even on the staff of a large church. The term simply means fulfilling the dual role of a worker outside the church and as a minister inside the church. For example, although many churches can afford a paid, full-time lead pastor, those same churches cannot afford the supporting full-time staff such as worship leaders, children’s and youth pastors, and the pastor must work to supplement his salary.

Even if the church can afford a full staff, the Wall Street Journal (Joblessness Hits the Pulpit, May 17, 2010) points out that large churches are not immune to layoffs in this tough economy. Supporting pastors who rely only on a salary have received cuts in pay and benefits. Due to a lack of attendance and donations (tithe) many churches are forced to terminate members of their staff; and most churches do not offer a severance package or unemployment benefits. In 2009 the government counted 5,000 clergy looking for work. Having the skills to work in a secular profession can be a valuable safety net to have in case of a ministry layoff or pay cut.

Thus it is necessary for some pastors to be bi-vocational. In addition to being a missionary/pastor the Apostle Paul was a tent-maker. He was able to preach the Gospel without charge, while admitting he had every right to a minister’s salary (1 Corinthians 9:14). Working a secular job does present challenges to the pastor’s time, priorities, and the constant balance of ministry and work. However, with godly wisdom he should be able to overcome these obstacles to have an effective ministry.

The biblical job description of a pastor includes the “equipping of the saints” (Ephesians 4:11, 12). However, the modern pastor seems like the CEO of a company. He is responsible for church growth, dynamic teaching and discipleship, mentorship, visitation, etc. With a limited amount of time each week it becomes necessary to prioritize his duties. Matt Smay and Hugh Halter, bi-vocational pastors and authors of AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church, found they only had two days a week for ministry. They spent it investing in leaders and the un-churched, i.e. “equipping the saints” and helping others on their journey to discipleship. I think this is the right idea. The pastor is equipping the church not only to fulfill the Great Commission, but also to take up responsibility and ministry in the church. Delegating ministries and responsibilities will free the pastor to accomplish his goals without the additional stress of unnecessary tasks.

To constantly juggle a job, a church and a family is an admirable feat. It requires the support of a loving church and their understanding of the sacrifices involved. Because of the work for the Kingdom the pastor is entitled to every liberty given in 1 Corinthians 9: “to refrain from working” (secular jobs) and “to reap material things”. But quite honestly he just wants an income that will be able to provide for his family. The other job is not the pastor’s career, but a means to support his ministry. It is a way to ensure that his family is provided for and financially secure. It is not a distraction, but an opportunity to have other means of honest employment and also engage the culture in a way he wouldn’t be able to from a church office.

Pastors cannot help but preach! It is what God has called them to do whether they get pay and benefits or nothing at all. It is a “stewardship”, a mandate given to them by God to fulfill at church and the secular workplace. In the church setting, the pastor’s ability to prioritize his tasks and delegate others to a supportive congregation will help him use his time effectively to fulfill his bi-vocational mandate. And he will be following in the footsteps of many great men of God, from the Apostle Paul to those pastors already filling the dual roles of work and ministry all across America.

Turning Controversy Into Ministry Book Review

2010-09-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is part of the Zondervan Blog Tour. This book can be bought on Amazon.com or Zondervan.com

Perhaps one of the most divisive and misunderstood issues facing the church today is that of ministry to homosexuals. The lines of theology and opinion have been clearly drawn, but what is less clear is the complexity of the root causes of homosexuality and the correct response of the church to the homosexual approaching the church for healing. It is a bold individual who would seek to tackle this topic! In his book Turning Controversy into Church Ministry, W. P. Campbell does a masterful job as a theologian and cultural commentator expounding not only on the biblical analysis of homosexuality, but also the social and scientific studies of the secular arena. He shows the implications of each and draws relevant applications to the culture. He further challenges the reader to respond and act in ministry to this largely marginalized group.

The most important concept of this book is the balance of truth and grace. Out of balance, truth can be used in a harmful and negative way to reject the homosexual and squelch any chance of healing and reconciliation within a church. Likewise, grace out of balance can lead to an acceptance of the sin, and an affirmation of bad theology. Yet it is so much more complex than this simple comparison.

Mr. Campbell speaks as a pastor within the embattled Presbyterian Church (USA), but his voice reaches across all the entrenched denominations. With this book he arrives on the front lines not with ammunition, but information. As a pastor he appeals to the authority and truth of Scripture, yet he also examines the history of the homosexual culture and engages the latest scientific and psychological studies. Each chapter it seems is the perfect combination of the three and the summary ties it together.

The topic of homosexual ministry is like dynamite: highly explosive. Campbell handles it with respect, yet without fear. He does not bash homosexuals, yet does not condone the lifestyle or philosophy either. He stays true to the authority and truth found in Scripture, but also shows the grace available to the gay person.

This is an intelligent engagement of homosexuality and the Christian response to it. It will equip and encourage any reader to understand and interact with a homosexual in a Christ-like way. I learned so much from this book and was greatly challenged to change some of my responses to that culture and lifestyle. If a person is to do the same, he should set aside his entrenched philosophies and opinions, and read this book with an open heart. It will change your ministry mindset and tune it closer to God’s heart for a hurting and lost culture.

Sticky Teams Book Review

2010-08-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

It has been a long week of packing and moving across the country and I just arrived in Texas today. So here is my book review for Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne. It is an amazing resource that every pastor needs! You can find it at zondervan.com and amazon.com.

Nothing can fully prepare you for the shock of ministry but Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne is a book that any pastor needs to read before taking on his first church. So often we learn the basic overview of ministry but are left to figure out the details. This book gives excellent instruction on practical leadership that focuses on getting your ministry team on the same page, going after the same vision that God has given you.

Even the experienced pastor can benefit from Sticky Teams and use this book to identify the obstacles and challenges to a successful church. Osborne really emphasizes communication with staff, especially the board. He gives examples of how even adding an additional meeting every month to pray, train, and fellowship will result in a greater connectedness and unity among the board. He demonstrates the necessity of clearly communicating vision to the church and clarifying the church’s positions on theology, faith, practice, politics, etc.

Osborne attacks the many “sacred cows” of ministry: surveys and dealing with the anonymous group of “they”, supporting every ministry in the church including the ineffective ones, allowing any qualified person (on paper) to be elected to the board, etc. Osborne offers real advice that works. He ignores the “theys” and their negative views, allows ministries to die that are ineffective, and prayerfully considers board candidates beyond their resumes. He shows the seriousness of the ministry and the sacredness of the leadership’s responsibility for the church.

Larry Osborne bases his wise advice upon his own experiences, common sense and Scripture, resulting in a great resource that is invaluable to any board member or staff member in a church. The above is just a sampling of the priceless advice in this book. I certainly recommend this book hands down to people in church leadership; in fact it would even give a church member a glimpse into the complicated world of pastoral ministry and help him understand the tough decisions made every day.

The Power of a Whisper Book Review

2010-07-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

This is my review of The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Church. It is a good read, especially for a new believer trying to figure out how to hear from God. The book can be found on Amazon.com and Zondervan.com. Enjoy the review!

In his book The Power of a Whisper, Bill Hybels answers perhaps one of the more difficult questions a Christian wrestles with: How does one hear from God? Bill shares from his personal experiences and gives scriptural insights in such a way to encourage the believer to listen for God’s voice in every setting. He shows how God speaks through His Word, how He whispers guidance in parenting, and how God’s light still shines in the dark times of our lives. I especially appreciate the five filters to discern God’s voice: Is it truly from God? Is it Scriptural? Is it wise? Is it in tune with your own character? What do people you trust most think about it?

While not a theological expose, this book gives a pastor’s guidance to the believer who might be confused on hearing God. In a world full of people who say, “God told me…” Hybels shows through the Bible how you can know for sure that you are hearing from God whether it is a voice from a friend, a whisper in your soul, a song on an Ipod, or a Scripture verse. Listening to God’s voice has been the key to Hybel’s success at Willow Creek and he shares his knowledge here. I would especially recommend this book to the new Christian who is beginning to learn how to discern the voice of God .

Insights on John (Swindoll's New Testament Insights)

2010-07-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

As a theologian, I love a good commentary. They are very useful in research and necessary in sermon development. Here is a new series by Chuck Swindoll of which I am reviewing the second volume. It can be purchased on Amazon.com and zondervan.com.

The name Charles Swindoll is synonymous with biblical scholarship, and the second volume of his commentary does not disappoint! Swindoll’s Insights on John is easy to read and understand as a novice of the Scriptures, but it is as equally engaging and stimulating for the biblical scholar. Along with the commentary, Swindoll gives “key terms”: the original Greek words that are most emphasized in each passage. There is no shortage of resources; there are maps, charts, essays, pictures, and more!

Any believer would be satisfied to pick this masterpiece up and to go through it. Insights on John provides a format that is so great for a comprehensive study without being tedious or dull. It captures the attention on every page, and challenges the reader with the application at the end of the passage. Having used several different commentaries in study and research, I can say that this ranks with the best of them. For the individual who might be intimidated by commentaries, the fear is unfounded with this volume.

This is an excellent resource that will be used again and again. I can’t wait for the next one!

AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church

2010-07-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is a book review for the Zondervan Blog Tour. You can purchase this book at zondervan.com or amazon.com. Go check it out!

AND: The Gathered and Scattered Church will rock your world! As a pastor about to plant a church, this book challenged me to rethink how we do church in America. Hugh Halter and Matt Smay address the culture of consumerism in the church and program oriented ministry, but distill the calling of church down to one thing: making disciples. AND takes its model from biblical principles. In fact, their whole ministry philosophy is based on Scripture. It is so refreshing to see the book of Acts in action in the 21st century!

They expound on terms such as modalic and sodalic: the first meaning inward focused ministry, the second meaning an outward focused ministry. They show how a healthy, incarnational church is a combination of the two with a pretty cool diagram called “the vortex”. They lay out the process of spiritual formation in a missional church and show a pretty cool example of what an incarnational church looks like: the community, the worship service, their activities, etc.

So often church planting consists of moving to a community six months before, blitzing the area with door-to door campaigns, media, and outreaches, then launching with a percentage of people reached through those efforts. While this is a valid method, Halter and Smay took a more holistic approach. It did take more time to for them to build genuine relationships, but they were digging their roots deep to provide greater stability and structure to their fledgling community of faith. They truly have the right idea that they are missionaries to Denver, not pastors looking to start a new church with transfer growth.

I highly recommend this book! The concepts will challenge you to rethink your role as a pastor or church member. It will cause you to think and pray about doing ministry differently. The principles will guide you back to the balance between the modalic and sodalic focuses and help you develop a missional mindset. If you are looking to plant a church or start a new ministry in your church, you need to read AND!

Faith

2010-07-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

Stepping out in faith is one of the most trying, stressful, confusing events in a believer's life. It truly is "having the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1 NASB). Except that I don't feel very assured right now; I don't have a lot of "conviction" regarding my resources at this point. But in spite of my doubts, I read that by faith the men of old gained approval (11:2). Maybe, in spite of the circumstances, I am to let go of my control and "let God".

The Scriptures say that the ancients had God's approval. Abraham let his homeland behind and followed God's voice. No Bible to read, no commentators or spiritual advisers to confirm his plans-he just had God's voice. And it was enough. Abraham moved in faith. Right now all I have is God's voice to follow, and it is scary, even with the additional advice of the Word and spiritual friends. I wrestle with the questions of provision, of finances, of a future life in my arms that I am responsible for raising.

How? When? These are my questions that I need to lay down before the Lord. And trust Him with complete abandon. Because it pleases Him, and by my faith I gain His approval.

The Gift of God and the Wizard of Oz

2010-07-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

I was listening to the song "Tin Man" by America and one of the lines captured my attention: "Oz never did give nothing to the tin man that he didn't already have". I thought of the Wizard of Oz and the characters-the lion and his need for courage, the scarecrow and his lack of brains, the tin man and his need of a heart, and Dorothy and her ruby slippers. Each already had what they thought they needed.

In 1 Timothy 4:14 Paul says, "Don't neglect the spiritual gift inside you," and later in 2 Timothy 1:6 Paul reminds Timothy to "stir up the gift that was instilled by the laying on of hands." How often do we ask God for things we already have? "Please give me more of your Spirit. More of the anointing. More power or boldness to share the gospel." We fail to realize all those things are already inside. It was all part of the initial deposit (1 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).

We stir up these gifts through action. As the group from Oz faced challenges they failed to realize that they were already using their gifts: courage, smarts, heart. That is what Paul was telling Timothy, "Stir up the gifts! Use them."

Don't waste another prayer asking God for what you already have; thank Him instead for the blessing of His gifts and ask for the wisdom to use them effectively. Remember He has given you all His promises; reach out and claim them!

Taking the initiative vs. God's will

2010-06-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have always been from the Armenian persuasion as a Pentecostal. Although that is my background I have been fortunate to know others from the reformed side of theology, meaning they adhere to the tenets of Calvinism. One of those themes is that of predestination and related to that, the doctrine of the sovereignty of God.
I do not have the best understanding of it, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my discussions with my Calvinist friends as well as listening to reformed scholars like R.C. Sproul and Alistair Begg.

I am not one to argue about God's sovereignty, but I am slightly confused as to the notion that God completely ordains my steps, i.e. God's specific plan or will for my life. I do believe that it is God's will that we serve Him by fulfilling the Great Commission, to engage in worship, and to make prayerful and biblically sound decisions in finances, marriage, etc. But I am beginning to think that I might need to take more initiative, albeit prayerfully, in determining the next steps to take in life: whether or not to move to new ministry opportunities, to go where jobs are in a tough economy. This could be called "free will".

That is where I am at this point. I think alot of people take the concept of "God's will for my life" to the extreme to where it paralyzes them and they refuse until they know "for sure" that it is God's will. They might end up missing a great opportunity.

In Bono's 2006 National Day of Prayer address he ends with a quote from his spiritual mentor: "Don't ask God to bless what you are doing; find what God is doing and do that, for it is already blessed." I think that taking the initiative and going for that new phase or season in life is the greatest adventure one can have.

Clean-up

2010-06-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

It is time to clean up the clutter of randomness and begin to be more consistant in my postings. So I have deleted a couple posts and will be putting more up on a regular basis.

Exponential: A Book Review

2010-06-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! It can be found on zondervan.com and amazon.com. My full review is below.

Exponential captures the heart and soul of the multi-site church phenomena. It is an incredible resource on leadership and ministry structure, yet its principles can be applied in other areas as well. Dave and Jon Ferguson inspire the reader to have a bigger vision and they give the strategies necessary to accomplish those God-sized dreams. Exponential is all about the reproducing of effective leaders and in turn, communities of believers who “help others find their way back to God.” It is a must read for the spiritual entrepreneur and it deserves to read again; I guarantee you will discover something new.

Love and Marriage

2010-03-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

A lot has been said and written about Tiger Woods and his infidelity over the past few months. After watching his interview with ESPN, I just wanted to offer some thoughts on love and marriage.

When two people get married, I believe that it is (or should be) based on loving that other person more than you love yourself. I'm not quite sure that happens though. I honestly think that love happens after the marriage; making the decision to love during that first argument, or the first time you see your spouse without make-up or during the first week his dirty laundry pile is laying on the bedroom floor. I think the whole dating/engagement time is amazing, but that it is also mainly filled with infatuation. Hopefully during that time the two "lovebirds" are making sure that they are right for each other, that it is God's will for them to get married, and that they are getting some good premarital counseling and guidance from family and friends.

Love is definitely a choice to be made each day, and having a good foundation pre-marriage will help remind the individual of why they love their spouse: their wonderful qualities and personality that attracted them to the other person, their beauty inside and out. It is the decision to give 100% whether or not the other gives back at all. Ideally if each lives for the other person than each spouse is taken care of by the other as well.

The biggest issue that comes up in marriage other than communication, in my opinion, is selfishness. Problems happen when the individual chooses to love him or herself more than the spouse and then acts on that impulse. Whether it be a large purchase, a night out without regard for the other, or even having whatever type of needs or wants fulfilled by someone else, each of these can be devastating to the relationship. And I believe that is what happened with Tiger. He stated that it was an entitlement attitude that led him to where he is today. Only the attitude of servant leadership will help a marriage thrive. Only an attitude of selfless love for the other can cause a marriage to develop into "holy matrimony" because that is the true reflection of Christ's heart for His church.

Steering Through Chaos Book Review

2010-03-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is my review of Scott Wilson's latest release Steering Through Chaos. I really enjoyed it and learned alot. You can find the book at Zondervan.com and on Amazon. So here it is!

Steering Through Chaos by Scott Wilson is definitely a must read for any pastor or leader looking to take his church to the next level. Each change or period of growth does indeed bring chaos, but this book is an excellent guide through the process. It is not a “how-to” manual, or a model to base a ministry on. Instead, Scott expounds on the underlying principles that should be the foundation of any ministry: namely that ministry is not about buildings and numbers, but about people. Further, he states that ministry must be Spirit-led. As one who observed the Oaks ministry during the midst of their “chaos”, I can say that the principles of the book were lived out.

Change is so complex, containing so many strategic elements such as vision, timing, momentum, etc. and Wilson ties them together well. Again, he emphasizes the deeper aspects of ministry: leading with integrity, being authentic and real with his staff and congregation, and seeking the Lord for his direction. He even contains an entire chapter on corporate prayer and another on celebrating what God has done and is doing in the midst of change.

For pastors seeking secular counsel on church growth, or a quick five step method for instant and easy change, this book is not for you. With complete honesty, Scott does not back down from the fact that change is difficult, but he offers real strategies with spiritual insight that come from his own experience.

The book is well crafted, and it is written from someone who is more than qualified to speak on change. Understand that it is not following a model that works, but applying the deeper spiritual principles that Scott expounds on. It is not about man-made strategies, but about focusing on God’s heart and his plan for ministry to people.

The Bible Part 2

2010-02-25T07:17:00.000-08:00

To continue in my line of thought, a noted Christian apologist and theologian Ravi Zacharias observed that, "intent is prior to content". To put it another way, we view the world and the Bible through a set of "lenses" or "glasses" that influence the way we think about a particular topic or Bible passage. The religious background of an individual, be it Christianity, Islam, atheism or any other gives him a set of presuppositions through which he interprets and applies Scripture.

From a liberal standpoint, the Bible provides some standard of social ethic expressed through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount passage and his other teachings. The Bible then does not provide the inspired instructions for salvation and the authority for holy living, but only guidelines for right and moral living, with an emphasis on social justice.

From a conservative evangelical standpoint, the Bible is the authoritative rule of faith and practice, not merely providing a standard of social ethic. There is a standard of right and wrong. The difference between the liberal and the conservative is not that the evangelical isn't concerned about the poor or the oppressed, but that it cannot accept certain lifestyle choices that actively seek God's approval as found within Scripture. If there is an absolute truth and only one way to live a holy life worthy of heaven (salvation by grace through faith alone in the person, death and resurrection of Jesus), then we as Christians must hold fast to the truth and not compromise for the sake of "equality" or "social justice" on behalf of minority groups that are based upon choice and lifestyle.

The Christian is concerned about the poor, the widow and the orphan and social justice, but all these are secondary to the importance of the Gospel shared with others. The Great Commission (Mark 16:15) was not about feeding the poor or social justice, but was an active proclamation that the "kingdom of heaven had arrived". However, if we were to look at the Great Commission in action through the book of Acts, we would see not only that the gospel was preached, but that that the poor and needy were being attended to and provided for. To use a more modern example, both the Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries were founded by Christian men who not only wanted to provide for men spiritually but also physically through jobs, food and clothes, etc.

So the Bible is our final authority for faith and practice. It leads us to salvation and prompts us to action: to pray, to evangelize, to disciple, to fellowship, to social responsibility. All the Christian does should be based upon a correct understanding of the Bible in its context and the application thereof.

The Bible Part 1

2010-02-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

While at my job, a co-worker and I got into an interesting discussion about Christian theology and our different perspectives on various topics. She is a Unitarian Universalist and I am an Assemblies of God minister. As such it was a challenging conversation discussing everything from homosexuality and hell to slavery. I established the Bible as a source of authority, yet she did not have an absolute authority by which to gauge her thoughts and actions, just various secular studies she used in reference.

As part of the evangelical persuasion, we Pentecostals believe that the Bible is inspired by God and is our final rule of faith and practice. This is the standard by which we define our moral worldview. The Bible says alot of things, and most of it can be misconstrued to validate any belief one holds without challenge. But for the responsible believer who is shaping his worldview, he must carefully craft his worldview with attention to the task of interpreting Scripture within its context and deriving the proper meaning from the passage. Bible scholars would argue that there is basically only form of interpretation, that is, the intent and content of the author for his recipients. While this is true, one can also agree that there are other principles and applications of the Scripture that can be observed and used in the modern world today.

Divine Opportunities

2010-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

I am doing an internship with Destiny Church in Dayton, OH and recently had the chance to go with the senior pastor to a local public school to share the Gospel. Well, it actually was the presentation of Pentecostal history since the Apostolic Age through the 20th and 21st centuries. Between sharing the 5 Acts passages referencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the varied instances of Holy Spirit activity throughout history, and answering questions pertaining to salvation and the biblical perspectives of modern "hot button" issues, the Gospel was effectively covered.

Being a pentecostal, I am excited about opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Does salvation consist of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? No, but for us that day it provided us the chance to share the message of Christ and to help secular students understand the power of God through the person and work of the Holy Spirit. I think the Apostle Paul said it best in Colossians, "...praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ...Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity" (Col. 4:3, 5).

In Defense of Orthodoxy

2010-01-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

My name is Joshua and this blog is the publication of the thoughts and opinions of a Pentecostal pastor and theologian. I hope to post links and poetry and book reviews that will be of interest to the Christian community and to people in general. So that is the purpose of this blog. More to come soon.