The technological revolution, transformed economies, capitalism, globalization, decentralization, individualism, commodification, fragmented communities, fragmented identities, alienation…. At the end of the 20th century these transformations converged creating a radical shift in social culture. (94) Many churches have tried to respond to these changes with a greater emphasis on programs, structures, and new initiatives. Yet time afterContinue reading “Structured for Mission”
Category Archives: Book Reviews
Paul’s Theology of Preaching
The argument of Paul’s Theology of Preaching can be broken up into two steps: 1)Begin by showing the distinctives of Greco-Roman rhetoric. 2)Show How Paul’s first four chapters in 1 Corinthians is meant to address preaching done in view of Greco-Roman Rhetoric. The fundamental assumption behind Greco-Roman Rhetoric is that the audience + the speaker’sContinue reading “Paul’s Theology of Preaching”
Joy in the Journey
I probably would have never picked up Steve Hayner’s Joy in the Journey on my own – but I’m really glad that IVP sent me a copy of it. Joy in the Journey is a collection of entries from the CaringBridge website, written by Steve (president of Columbia Theological Seminary) and his wife Sharol, asContinue reading “Joy in the Journey”
A Fellowship of Differents (A Primer on the Christian Life in Community)
This is the most important book you may ever read outside of the Bible… At least that’s what Derwin Gray says about A Fellowship of Differents, Scot McKnight’s new books. Now I really respect Derwin Gray and I definitely try to snatch up any new book that Scot McKnight writes – but really? The mostContinue reading “A Fellowship of Differents (A Primer on the Christian Life in Community)”
The Kuyper Center Review – Calvinism and Democracy
In 2012 a group of scholars gathered at Princeton Theological Seminary for a conference titled, “Calvinism and Democracy.” The purpose of this conference was to reflect upon the neo-Calvinist legacy, to explore its theological roots, and to assess in what ways this tradition might provide resources for democratic criticism and renewal. The Kuyper Center ReviewContinue reading “The Kuyper Center Review – Calvinism and Democracy”
Spiritual Friendship
An eclipse of friendship. That is what author, theologian, and gay Christian Wesley Hill says has happened to friendship in our modern era. “Friendship is the freest, the least constrained, the least fixed and determined, of all human loves.” (xiii) You can never stop being a parent. You can never stop being the offspring ofContinue reading “Spiritual Friendship”
Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus
Supersize Me is a documentary that follows director Morgan Spurlock on a 30-day journey during which he only eats at McDonalds. The documentary portrays the horrific effects that an all-McDonalds diet has on Spurlock’s physical and psychological well-being and explores the idea that fast food is highly to blame for America’s health problems. In essence,Continue reading “Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus”
Jonathan Edwards’s Bible
I recently reviewed Stephen Nichols’s Jonathan Edwards’s Bible: The Relationship of the Old and New Testaments for the McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry. Here is an excerpt: In the recent resurgence of scholarship on Jonathan Edwards nearly every facet of his complex ministry has been explored. Edwards has been studied as a philosopher, scientist,Continue reading “Jonathan Edwards’s Bible”
Building “Teams that Thrive”
I’m not going to lie to you… I really don’t enjoy reading on organizational leadership. I have a really hard time making my way through them. I would rather read a dense theology book any day. So for most of my career in ministry I have avoided leadership books like the plague – only readingContinue reading “Building “Teams that Thrive””
Missional Preaching in a Post-Christendom World
How can preaching inspire and shape a church to share the goodness of God in Jesus Christ with neighbors near and far, in words and deeds? How can reaching equip and send the people of God to be the people of God in the world and for the world? Because the only way the worldContinue reading “Missional Preaching in a Post-Christendom World”
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 