There was some discussion on Facebook regarding the original post in this series. Daniel Bartholomew offered several perceptive comments about how the Spirit acts. Biblically speaking, God's power is often manifested in deeply, deeply flawed individuals. Think David. Lot, called "righteous". Noah. Even Saul displayed the work of the Spirit. There does seem, Biblically speaking, … Continue reading The Holy Spirit pt 3; Daniel’s Observations
Author: plstepp
Euodia, Syntyche, and Paul’s View of Women in Leadership
Tucked away in Philippians 4 we find Paul entreating two women in the Philippian church to set aside their differences. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. And I ask you also, true yokefellow [PLS "yokefellow" or "coworker" is how Paul addresses the person tasked with reading this letter aloud … Continue reading Euodia, Syntyche, and Paul’s View of Women in Leadership
Album of the Year (So Far)
A brief wandering away from writing about theology: Is it The National? I like to think of myself as a bit of a music snob. And for about six years, since they released Trouble Will Find Me in May 2013, my favorite favorite band has been The National. So when their new album, I Am … Continue reading Album of the Year (So Far)
Best of the Blogs (28 May)
Michael Bird and the Old and New Perspectives: the benefits of seeing Paul through the New Perspective while not rejecting the Old Perspective; there's a lot of baby in that bathwater. There are some absolutely essential insights gained from the NPP which are much needed in churches. First, if you want to get excited about the … Continue reading Best of the Blogs (28 May)
The Holy Spirit pt 2; Romans 8
Part 1 is here. Is speaking in tongues evidence that someone’s life is under the control of the Holy Spirit? Is speaking in tongues evidence that a person is a superior or more mature Christian, with a deeper experience of Jesus Christ than those who do not speak in tongues? Here is how I read … Continue reading The Holy Spirit pt 2; Romans 8
Why I Am Not a Calvinist, pt 1: Double Predestination and Romans 8.28-29
A brief digression, then I will return to the issue of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues tomorrow. I am not a Calvinist. By this, I mean that I do not accept the doctrine of double predestination. In broad strokes: double predestination is the teaching, most associated with Swiss reformer John Calvin (1509-1564), which … Continue reading Why I Am Not a Calvinist, pt 1: Double Predestination and Romans 8.28-29
The Holy Spirit pt 1; Speaking in Tongues and Maturity
Is speaking in tongues evidence that someone's life is under the control of the Holy Spirit? Is speaking in tongues evidence that a person is a superior or more mature Christian, with a deeper experience of Jesus Christ than those who do not speak in tongues? I am preparing to preach on Pentecost, and God … Continue reading The Holy Spirit pt 1; Speaking in Tongues and Maturity
The Disappearance of Christianity from the Middle East
It has been nearly thirty years since the beginning of the first Gulf War (which I supported. I also supported the second Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan.) Over that period, Christianity in the Middle East has largely disappeared. At least a thousand churches have been destroyed in the region. Tens of thousands of … Continue reading The Disappearance of Christianity from the Middle East
Ranking the Series Finales, GoT Update
I first published this in 2015. I'm updating it to add Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Justified, Battlestar Galactica, and The Shield. Game of Thrones: I gave the finale a B-. Neither great nor awful, just logical & inevitable. Basically, once they killed Littlefinger there were no more wildcards in play, no more unpredictability in … Continue reading Ranking the Series Finales, GoT Update
Circleslide 