Composite Gospel Pericope Index
A Pastoral Letter to Parish Ioner Concerning Paul
Parish Ioner – Greetings, Parish! I’m writing you in response to the brief conversation we had regarding my upcoming summer series on the Apostle Paul. I know you would rather “take the summer off,” as you said, to satisfy your personal distaste for the material. I really wish you wouldn’t. I think this sort of reaction would be most unfortunate. The Apostle Paul still has a lot to teach us today, apart from our modern understanding of “liberal” and “conservative” social approaches. I think you may be surprised at what one finds when the material is approached with an open and critical mind. A detailed look at Paul, power, and authority will reveal a lot that might surprise you. I will gladly volunteer a brief introduction to these matters in this letter, so as to stir your curiosity and prompt your summer attendance, hopefully. Read More »
Luke’s Pragmatic Attribution of the Term Savior
The Lukan reference to Jesus of Nazareth as ‘Savior’ has more to do with the later Christian community’s need for eschatological reconsideration than the author’s Christological perception. Read More »
BIC Core Course with Dr. Luke Keefer, Jr.
Tomorrow begins a four day study with Dr. Luke Keefer, Jr. I’m scheduled to begin The Brethren in Christ Theology of Salvation (PM 705), the first of four BIC core courses leading to ordination. I’m nearly half-way through my doctrinal statement, which leads to licensing. I really enjoy the study and the process. It will be great to dive deeper into the Anabaptism, Pietism, and Wesleyanism that informs all we do - or should be doing - as members of the Brethren in Christ Church. Good times.
A Review of Threads’ The Tough Sayings of Jesus
I am quickly learning that Threads by LifeWay is dedicated to the production of high quality, DVD based, small group curriculum. Their newest offering, The Tough Sayings of Jesus, by Michael Kelley is no exception. It is another quality Christian resource in an admittedly small but steadily growing catalog of small group teaching materials and leader kits. Yeah, I really dig it. I was sold when I came across the following introductory statement by the author, Michael Kelley: Read More »
Chip Ingram’s Five Lies that Ruin Relationships
Chip Ingram’s Five Lies that Ruin Relationships: Wrong Beliefs Produce Wrong Behavior is a 10-part DVD teaching series built upon God’s truth as revealed in the fourth and fifth chapters of the New Testament book of James. Five Lies that Ruin Relationships is an incredibly solid, fluid, Bible-centered curriculum tailored for individuals and/or small groups. Christians interested in a critical and spiritual critique of how and why we do certain things in our relationships will absolutely love this wonderfully produced and crafted DVD series of God-honoring life lessons. This curriculum - from the DVD film segments to the workbook and group discussion questions - is as technically well done as anything I have seen to date. It also cuts to the heart with effective and affective presentations of God’s truth as it relates to our relationships. In short, Five Lies is awesome. Read More »
Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology
Each year, Lancaster Theological Seminary names five “outstanding graduates” to receive complimentary one-year subscriptions to Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology. I’m not so sure I can live up to the “outstanding” tag, but I do appreciate being one of the five named by the faculty @ LTS. Too, I love free theology journals. Thank you!
