Mission & the Spirit: Why All God’s Gifts Are Still Needed Today

Posted on by under continuationism, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, mission, spiritual gifts

This semester I have been recording videos for the Missional Life class I teach at Visible Music College. In particular, I’ve been doing some videos around the topic of Mission and the Spirit.

When it comes to mission in the west, we usually get caught up in talking about all the ways to be culturally relevant. And I don’t mind that. I look at that angle as well. But empowered mission begins with the work of the Spirit in the people of God.

Below is my latest video on why I believe all of God’s gifts are needed today for us to accomplish God’s mission, including such gifts as prophecy, healings, miracles and tongues.
Continue reading →

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Two Mistakes We Make Reading the Bible

Posted on by under Bible, hermeneutics, Scripture, systematic theology, theology

book and coffee

I love reading the Bible. I love studying the Bible. I love teaching the Bible.

I will admit I am not the best at teaching it. There are others that surpass me, surpass me significantly. Yet, after a sense of God’s call in my life in 2001 to teach the Bible, going to seminary, and now teaching the Bible for fifteen years both as a pastor and in higher education, I know it is one of my deep loves.

In these fifteen years of studying and teaching the Bible, I have encountered some interesting perspectives on studying the Bible – “prodigal thoughts,” if you will. I have embraced some of these myself, but over time I have learned there are better ways in approaching the study of Scripture.

In all, I would highlight two easy mistakes we make in studying the Bible. Continue reading →

Can Women Be Church Leaders? The Household Codes of the Bible

Posted on by under women, women in ministry

Can women be church leaders?

It’s a big question that causes a lot of debate. Not as much today as, say, a couple of decades ago. Thankfully. Nonetheless, this remains a fairly divisive issue in the church today.

I’ve spent plenty of time looking at the question of women leadership here at the blog. But, in this article, I want to address a couple of Scriptures known as the “household codes” in the New Testament. These are particularly found in Eph 5:22-6:9 and Col 3:18-4:1.

Obviously these passages don’t specifically speak about church leadership. However, many, if not most, see a connection between leadership in the home and leadership in the church, all going back to God’s “original creation design.” So, while these are distinct, they are related and these household codes are worth addressing in the larger context of the discussion concerning women’s roles. Continue reading →

Logos and Rhema Word: I Don’t Believe the Dichotomy Is There

Posted on by under charismatic, continuationism, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, prophecy, spiritual gifts

holy spirit

I am a charismatic, or a continuationist, as that is the more proper theological term of today. I’ve spent plenty of time writing about the Spirit’s role and gifts here at the blog.

I want to also be willing to critique some of the stuff that exists out there in the name of continuationist-charismatic theology. And there is a good bit out there that needs to be sharpened, to be redirected. And there is also stuff out there that is just outright heinous. Continue reading →