If you get a chance, take a look at The Pulpit & the Pew by Thad, a fellow Southern grad and pastor in the Western United States (Colorado to be exact). Among his posts are some helpful links and he apparently has good taste in commentary commentators [grin]. He also has the coolest pastor-blog banner graphic I’ve yet seen (sorry Jon).
I commend to you the “Theological Refining” post by Devin Hudson. Rarely do I find something that both refreshes and challenges me without sounding arrogant. I began to really pay attention after the following:
I get annoyed when I spend very much time with people who feel like they have it all figured out theologically (usually they are first year seminary students who have read a little Piper and suddenly are experts on the doctrines of grace). Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the more I have learned the more I have realized how much more I need to learn. And the more I affirm the sovereignty of God the more I realize how little my mind can grasp its magnitude. And perhaps it also has to do with the fact that the more I learn the more I realize that following Christ is more about day-to-day living and not so much about how many theology books I have read.
As a young seminarian who knew nothing, I was not annoyed by the know-it-all crowd. I was intimidated. They made me feel inferior and inadequate to the task of ministry and theological education. I did not know enough to know that they could not possibly know
what they claimed to know with such confidence. They were a barrier, not a help, to my growth as a disciple and a minister.
Thank all the heavens that I was preserved through the dark times of loneliness and shame. Praise the Lord that I eventually learned what I needed to learn to understand what God was doing with my life. I received a first-rate head-knowledge education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. But I also was blessed to receive insight regarding evaluation, discernment, and generous debate as characterized by men such as Tom Schreiner, Russ Moore, and Bruce Ware. Moreover, I was blessed to belong to a congregation of those who modeled the ministry truth that “the people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Ministry, and no less discipleship, is a lifelong lifestyle of a life transformed by the Savior. Grace and truthful love - not just love of the truth of grace - should be the hallmark of the people of God. May we, in our humility, show the world our greatness in Jesus Christ the Lord.
Just in case you were looking, audio of my sermons are online here at the First Southern Baptist Church of Camp Verde, AZ website.
I’m still new at preaching, so be nice.
The Lost Letters of Pergamum is evidence that conservative Christian scholarship can indeed lead to quality art and literature. Christians are not barred from the use of the imagination for either instruction or enjoyment. Lost Letters is not for everyone, but it was a fun read for me and would be both edifying and enlightening for many others.
Noted New Testament scholar Bruce W. Longenecker draws upon his expertise of the 1st Century world to craft an imagined series of letters between Luke the gospel writer and the Antipas of Revelation 2:13. Through these letters, one gains a better appreciation for NT period letter writing, NT Roman historical background, the pax Romana cultural background of Early Christianity, and the excitement and struggles of early believers. Utilizing threads of secular history and biblical evidence, Longenecker has woven a credible and coherent narrative that very well could have happened.
The Lost Letters of Pergamum is not a fast paced nail biting work of fiction. It is measured and instructive. The plot device of a story told entirely through written correspondence is effective to heighten the ultimate tension of the book and lend to its believability as a work of antiquity. Along the way, Longenecker draws heavily from Witherington’s New Testament History and incorporates excerpts seamlessly into the letters. Readers who would never sit down with an academic book would nonetheless enjoy learning about the world of early Christianity through Longenecker’s literary experiment. This is the real strength of the book, along with the somewhat surprise ending (which I will not spoil here).
Those who enjoy reading, those who enjoy history, especially those who enjoy learning but not studying will find this work delightful. Longenecker is to be commended for his adaptation of literary devices to the field of NT education. My recommendation is to read the gospel of Luke as you read the book both to enjoy the work more as well as engage the gospel in a fresh way. The Lost Letters of Pergamum would be a great (and easy) read for pastors, bible study leaders, and interested laypersons.
I simply do not have time to evaluate tons of commentaries whenever I need one to research a particular point, give a quick lesson, or even plan a sermon series. As I collect the volumes for my library, I need to know which commentary for any particular Biblical book is a safe and solid evangelical choice.
Fortunately, I did have time to evaluate tons of commentaries before I graduated seminary. For my own benefit, as well as that of my friends, I compiled a list of “first buy” commentaries. The list is annotated so that you know why I chose each volume. You may agree or disagree with individual decisions, but overall the list should be helpful.
I have recently had an opportunity to review the list and have decided to leave it “as is” at this time. It is free to all who want a copy as a pdf file. May God bless your study and ministry.
Jon Cyrus has a nice thought about being a genuine Christian. While we celebrate a diversity of people, there is only one genuine faith.
Cyrus is a genuine and pastoral man himself. If I was not a pastor and still lived in Louisville, I would consider attending his church. His blog often encourages me to live better for God, but is not written in a confrontational style. You should check it out: Under the Steeple.
Recently I’ve been asked for resources that would help someone defend the idea that the preaching pastorate is limited to men. The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW.org) has some excellent articles on this topic, but they have a lot of stuff and you might need help figuring out what to read first. Below are my suggestions.
Some of these will require that you scroll down in a .pdf file to find the articles you need. I have listed these in a relative order of importance. I would read them in this order with the time I had to prepare.
“God has no grandchildren. Only children.”
It does not matter who your father was or what your mother did. Your relationship with God is completely between you and the Lord. You are either one of his faith children by adoption, or you are not a part of the family.
Repent and turn to the Lord, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
