From Jesus Creed: Those four elements [of evangelicalism] are crumbling, folks... It’s not that evangelicalism has been yet again swamped by politics and lost its way. Rather, it is swamped by politics because those four elements are crumbling. Bible and theology are of little interest other than an odd Bible citation to prop up a … Continue reading The Demise Of The Soul Of Evangelicalism (McKnight)

With all the necessary disclaimers. These aren’t hard and fast rules, nor are they necessarily anything found directly in the writings of Marcus or Seneca or the sayings of Zeno, but they will make you better. And worry less. And think more clearly. [*] Throw away or give away stuff you have but don’t use … Continue reading More Greatness from the Daily Stoic

(Cross-posted with narrativediscipleship.com) I've spent the last three weeks in the USA, attending the Pepperdine Lectureship and visiting family, friends, and churches.  During that time, I have NOT been teaching, and have not posted any new material. All that changes this week! Much new content on the way! Starting this week, I am posting a … Continue reading What’s Been Going On (And What’s Happening Now)

This is a GREAT book.  It's very readable; Jones is a very good writer.  He handles the biblical text exceptionally well, reading the passages closely, mining theological gold from the details.  He has thought long and deeply about these issues, and the fruit of his reflection will bless anyone who reads with a desire to … Continue reading Review: FINDING FAVOR, pt 2 (response)

My friend (full disclosure) Brian Jones has just published a book with InterVarsity, Finding Favor: God's Blessings beyond Health, Wealth, and Happiness.  This is my review, in two parts: summary (pt 1) and response (pt 2). Jones's book is about God's favor, which he defines as God's "supernatural intervention to bring a blessing into your … Continue reading Review: FINDING FAVOR, pt 1

If God is calling you into ministry, and you want to pursue that calling, do you need a bachelor's degree in Bible and Ministry to pursue it? The simple answer is, "it depends." The traditional Bible college bachelor's program has advantages: Being part of a missional learning community. Learning foundational things like theology and Bible … Continue reading Do You Need a Bachelor’s in Bible & Ministry?

Goodness from the Daily Stoic email.  Pragmatism can mean being "principled without being fanatical and flexible without being opportunistic." (I shouldn't need to say it, but I will.  Stoicism [and pragmatism] have value only if practiced as a follower of Jesus Christ, filtered through his teachings and atonement, enabled and guided by the Spirit.  Divorced … Continue reading “How We Are To Be” (Daily Stoic)

I've been thinking about education/preparation for ministry, and posted here and on Facebook about that topic recently. (Hat tip to Zuzanna Low, for several awesome suggestions for this list.) Here is a list of the outcomes (skills, knowledge, and character traits) that I have generated.  I think these things are all essential for a thriving … Continue reading Ministry Outcomes

I tweeted a couple of times this week, asking my fellow pastors and professors about "the rules of ministry education". It strikes me, as I think it through, that I'm really thinking about education in the broadest sense; "outputs" and character development, not just "inputs".  So maybe a better way to ask is about the … Continue reading The “Rules” of Ministry PREPARATION (not “Education”)