“Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore, let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2 It’s usually in High School that many students learn the skill of adding fluff to their writing assignments to make … Continue reading Christian Fluff
Lists & Qualifications (Women in Ministry pt. 5)
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an elder must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” 1 Timothy 3:1-3 (ESV) This … Continue reading Lists & Qualifications (Women in Ministry pt. 5)
“I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach…She Must Be Quiet.” (Women in Ministry pt. 4)
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue … Continue reading “I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach…She Must Be Quiet.” (Women in Ministry pt. 4)
The Origins of the Debate (Women in Ministry pt. 3)
“To the woman he said: “I will make your pangs in childbirth exceedingly great; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 (NRSV) This blog post is the third of a few entries on the topic of women in ministry … Continue reading The Origins of the Debate (Women in Ministry pt. 3)
A Few Preliminary Points (Women in Ministry pt. 2)
“In a lawsuit, the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.” Proverbs 18:17 Proverbs 18:17 is convicting. It’s a court room maxim reminding those listening to the witnesses of a crime to not always believe the first things they hear. The first side of a story is always going to sound … Continue reading A Few Preliminary Points (Women in Ministry pt. 2)
What About Junia? (Women in Ministry pt. 1)
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Romans 16:7 (NRSV) This blog post is the first of a few entries on the topic of women in ministry leadership. In this first one, I want to … Continue reading What About Junia? (Women in Ministry pt. 1)
Rizpah: The (Not So) Silent Prophet
There is a story folded into the narrative of 2 Samuel that’s easy to miss on a quick read. It is also tempting to ignore as it contains a number of rather troubling elements. But it tells of a time when king David began to act more like the kings of the ancient Near East … Continue reading Rizpah: The (Not So) Silent Prophet
Daniel’s Defiant Gratitude
“When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”Daniel 6:10 It’s a common assumption that Daniel is … Continue reading Daniel’s Defiant Gratitude
Studying the Bible (at Church)
What is the goal of studying the Bible? Or maybe, what is the goal of studying the Bible at Church? I can think of two answers: 1) We study the Bible as a form of corporate worship. And 2) we study the Bible to gain from it godly wisdom so that we might navigate our … Continue reading Studying the Bible (at Church)
Whoever is Not Against Us is For Us
“For whoever is not against us is for us” – Mark 9:40 When starting ministry in a new area, one of my favorite things to do is reach out to local pastors who have been serving within that community for a while. It’s great to talk to seasoned veterans of ministry. They know the lay … Continue reading Whoever is Not Against Us is For Us
Scripture Simplified 