I hate trying to talk while I’m in the dentist chair. It vexes me why anyone would ask me questions while drilling, scraping, or spraying my teeth. I hope they don’t expect anything more than an “uh-huh” or “huh-uh.” Recently, however, my dental hygienist asked me how long it takes me to prepare a sermon. […]
On Keeping Your Greek and Hebrew in Ministry Read Post »
There are some pastors who maintain the discipline of extensive wider theological study beyond preaching preparation on their own without any help, but there are few of them. Nor is it ideal to fly entirely solo, because it means missing out on external expertise and iron-sharpening-iron interaction. At the Pastors’ Academy we used to offer
The Benefits of Formal Study Read Post »
Beginning in the 1930s, and working into the late 1960s, Swiss theologian Karl Barth wrote his 13-volume Church Dogmatics, six million words in all. In the eighth book (Doctrine of Creation, Part IV), he brought theology to bear on the practical issues of moral life in society. In this selection, he takes on the question of abortion, declaring
The “No” to Abortion Which Must Be Said – Karl Barth (1886 – 1968) Read Post »
Editor’s note: This post first appeared in Ad Fontes, a publication of the Davenant Institute. “Politics is a dirty business.” So we hear constantly in some fashion in today’s discourse. Many degrade politics further by saying Christians should not participate in it, at least not consciously as Christians. It is base (not based) and low.
Reviving the Christian Dignity of Politics Read Post »
1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but
Prejudice: The Legacy of a Corrupt Conscience Read Post »
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be…hospitable.” Yes, you read that right. I find it somewhat shocking that, capping off a list of things that seem quite spiritually significant and serious, like being self-controlled, sober-minded, and loving others, Peter tells us to: “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Pet. 4:7-8).
Habits for Hospitality Read Post »
