Over the last few days, I’ve been reflecting on an occasional comment I’ve heard from evangelical people.  I indicated that it comes from different angles, with different attitudes.  Sometimes it’s a complaint or something of a lament. Talking with people after an evening class in a local church, I’ve heard the wistful comment, “Wow, I’ve […]

Yesterday I wrote that I’ve been struck by a comment I’ve heard over the last several years.  It’s not that I hear it all the time, nor is it the only response I’ve heard from evangelicals (thankfully!).  It’s just that whenever I’ve heard it, I’ve thought it unusual, and I’ve wondered about the underlying assumptions […]

Over the past several years, as I’ve taught the Bible in various settings, I’ve heard something odd from evangelical people.  And I’ve heard it often enough that it seems fair to call it a pattern.  When I first began to hear it, I was baffled.  I couldn’t imagine the sort of mindset that would give […]

Scot McKnight referred to John Piper’s post about what he would ask the Pope. Piper said he’d ask him about justification. I’m not surprised by that question, but I can’t say I like it too much. I don’t think evangelicals are well placed historically to play doctrinal cop. It brings out the worst in us […]

I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye […]

  O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear our prayer and deliver us.   From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of […]

When we develop metaphors for ministry relationships, we must be careful to discipline our language by biblical frames of thought. I think we need to be especially suspicious of metaphors and images that portray ministry relationships in terms of “leader-follower,” or “patron-client.” Contemporary assumptions about discipleship (“I, the expert, show and tell you things.”) often […]

I wrote a few days ago that because our cultural location shapes our imaginations, we inevitably conceive of Christian ministry in terms, categories, and images supplied by our post-industrial technological age. We need to be discerning in our use of metaphors because of how they function.  They’re more powerful than we may assume. Metaphors excite […]

In 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, Paul uses an organic metaphor to describe Apollos’ and his ministries. What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So […]

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.