Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
One of the harshest statements to come from Jesus was “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). When we realize that these words were spoken to a widow in distress they seem to defy the virtues of love and mercy. How can we properly understand these harsh words? What is the significance of this narrative?
Continue reading “Dogs at the Table”
Some Christians live in fear and suspicion of science as if scientific discovery and theological truth are natural and mortal enemies. This is especially true of Christians whose intellectual formation is primarily based in the 20th century conflict between modernism and fundamentalism. Most fundamentalists require a literal reading of Genesis 1 that insists on a six day creation and a young earth. Any other interpretation is considered heretical. As I wrote in my previous blog, a literal interpretation of Genesis 1 is not only unnecessary, but it also defies the original context of the creation narrative. To my mind, for Christians to reject scientific discovery is to reduce faith to mere superstition.
Continue reading “Scientific Discovery & Theological Reflection”
The Gospel is not defined by our personal narratives. Instead, the Gospel breaks into our personal narratives so that we may be transformed by Jesus Christ.
My previous post was written in reflection of the recent Church of God General Council discussions. Specifically, the discussion regarding the credentialing of ministers with more than one previous marriage. Most of those who spoke in favor of the motion did not bring Scripture to the table, but their personal stories. Many of those stories were heartbreaking and I have great sympathy for them. Some who brought Scripture to the table did so practicing a selective hermeneutic in which their personal narrative informed the text. This is called eisegesis – the process of interpreting a text so that one’s own presuppositions, agendas, or biases shape the biblical text.
Continue reading “The Agony of Hermeneutics – Part 2”
Writing to the elders of the Ephesian Church the Apostle Paul declared, “I did not cease to admonish each one with tears” (Acts 20:31). Here Paul displays the pathos of the pastor. The pastor is called to faithfully preach and teach the Word of God and exercise profound compassion towards the people of God. The call to be a faithful teacher with a compassionate heart can be agonizing for the pastor and congregation.
Continue reading “The Agony of Hermeneutics”
As the Church of God International Assembly convenes in Orlando on July 29, the agenda before the General Council demonstrates a disjointed biblical hermeneutic. It also demonstrates how the culture provokes the church to action, and inaction. I refer to agenda items 30 and 44. Item 30 concerns divorced and remarried applicants for ministry. Item 44 concerns homosexual marriage.
Continue reading “Why Stand Firm against Homosexuality, but Surrender to Divorce?”
I recently posted on Facebook an article that relates Ralph Reed’s conversation with Bill Maher. I commented that this story is “an excellent example of how uninformed Christians are hindering the cause of Christ.” That post provoked a conversation with a dear brother, a conversation that cannot be adequately conducted in a few sentences. So, I extend our conversation here. I have suggested many times that Christians, especially those who wish to engage the public square, must become better exegetes and interpreters of Scripture. This does not mean taking a low view of Biblical inspiration and authority. To the contrary, taking a high view requires serious reflection.
Continue reading “No, the Bible does not Condone Slavery”
As a child and teen reared in church I was not taught to read the Bible critically. The first article of our church’s Declaration of Faith states that we believe “In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.” This being the first article in our statement of faith is not incidental. It suggests that the Bible has priority; that all other statements of faith proceed from our confidence in the veracity of the inspired Scripture. Therefore, the words of Scripture are to be accepted by faith. As a teen I began reading the Bible in earnest. When I read “difficult” passages – Joshua’s genocide of Canaan, or Samuel’s execution of the Amalekite king – it never occurred to me to read these texts critically. In other word’s I was never taught to ask questions.
Continue reading “The New Bible Challenge”