Scattered Thoughts on Theology and Ministry…
Seeking Church, by Dyrness and Deurksen, is driven by questions that arose because of the “emerging” or “insider movements” that are increasingly being witnessed at the fringes of where Christianity meets unreached areas. These movements have led missiologists and ecclesiologists to wonder how the members of these movements fit in to the structures of theContinue reading “Seeking Church by Dyrness and Duerksen – Book Notes”
This is part three of a short series in which I look at Stanley Grenz’s theological anthropology as it can be found in “The Social God and the Relational Self: A Trinitarian Theology of the Imago Dei.” Having provided a brief overview of Grenz’s methodological commitments we are now in a position to provide aContinue reading “Stanley Grenz’s Theological Anthropology – An Overview (Pt. 3)”
One theme that emerges throughout Calvin’s works as well as some Calvin biographies is the importance he places upon ecclesiology. We see this in various ways, for instance in his fight for the unity of the protestant movement, in his emphasis on the proper understanding of the Eucharist, and his constant attempts at establishing churchContinue reading “John Calvin & the Four Nicene Marks of the Church”
Church planting is en vogue. You can find books upon books on the subject and even conferences on the topic that draw 1000’s of attendees. (I have to admit my favorite one of these conferences is Exponential.) But most church planting isn’t planting in the biblical sense. Yes it’s the start of new congregations, whichContinue reading “Apostolic Church Planting”
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”
Towards the end of 2014 I spent some time praying, asking God what areas of growth he wanted me to focus on in 2015. Two areas that came up were 1) Preaching and 2) Shepherding. God wanted me to work on my preaching and communication skills and God wanted me to grow in having aContinue reading “Shepherding God’s Flock”
It seems like a simple question, which doesn’t have a very simple answer: Can Christians and churches be catholic and Reformed? Can they commit themselves not only to the ultimate authority of apostolic Scripture but also to receiving this Bible within the context of the apostolic Church? Allen and Swain believe that the answer toContinue reading “Reformed and catholic!?!?”
Many years ago Avery Dulles wrote a classic book on ecclesiology titled – Models of the Church – in this book he outlines several key models that Protestants and Roman Catholics have used to explain the nature of the church. Dulles explains that the church has been understood as an Institution, a Mystical Communion, aContinue reading “Models of the Church”
Our mission has to be shaped by our ultimate vision of God’s future… that in turn should reshape how we do church. When we announce Jesus as Lord of heaven and earth then a power is unleashed which does transform not only individuals but also communities.
A few days ago I wrote a short blog about Michael Bird’s forthcoming systematic/biblical theology, Evangelical Theology. I am honestly excited to read it, because from the looks of it, it is truly going to be a “Gospel-Centered” Theology. Here is what Bird has to say about this: What we need, as a matter ofContinue reading “Gospel Theology (Pt. 1) – Introduction”
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 