Scattered Thoughts on Theology and Ministry…
The following is a short worksheet/Bible study on God’s mission and our role in it that I’m using with the Young Life student staff in LA. God’s Mission: Genesis to Revelation I’ve heard them described as the “navy seals” of Christians. They’re sometimes talked about as an “elite” bunch, while everyone else sort of justContinue reading “God’s Mission – Worksheet”
Almighty God, who by thy son Jesus Christ didst give commandment to the apostles, that they should go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature: Grant to us, whom thou hast called into thy church, a ready will to obey the word, and fill us with a hearty desire to makeContinue reading “Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel 7/17”
Christopher Holmes’ book, The Lord is Good: Seeking the God of the Psalter, is a unique book in that Holmes attempts to defend the doctrine of divine simplicity by engaging with the Psalms and the history of their interpretation. Among the people Holmes engages with, Aquinas gets most of the attention. Although this book isContinue reading “The Lord is Good (Review)”
Supposedly Francis of Assisi said those famous words. Likely he didn’t, regardless, those word’s don’t mesh with Scripture’s understanding of BEING witnesses to the gospel. As Michael Gorman says: Witness-bearing calls for interpretation. “Walking little old ladies across the street” may be appropriate Christian behavior, but it does not lead to persecution. It only leadsContinue reading “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary use words.”
The new issue of Themelios is now out – you can download it for free as a pdf or (for a short time) free for Logos. In this issue you will find a lot of engagement with Adam, the Fall, and Original Sin. You will also find reviews of some interesting books like Thomas F.Continue reading “The Story That Chooses Us (Themelios)”
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”
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”
This seems to be the perennial question for most leaders, especially those who are trying to be missional – where should I spend the majority of my time and energy? Should I focus on discipleship or evangelism? Andreas Kostenberger addresses this question in an essay in a new book titled Shepherding God’s Flock. Here isContinue reading “Should I focus on Discipleship or Evangelism?”
It is widely recognized that we Christians in the US (at least in the coastal regions & big cities) live in a post-Christian world. We live in a world where Christianity is no longer the central institution of society, we live in a world where rival ideologies abound. In such a world Christians are goingContinue reading “Unfaithful”
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.
CWoznicki Think Out Loud 