BoB's for the Week Ending September 23rd
Welcome to Best of the Blogs Saturday.
To start with, if you haven't already done so, go let Pastor JD Hatfield know which are your favorite Bible verses, chapters, and books. Inquiring minds want to know.
Next, Craver VII relates a story illustrating Malachi 3:3 which may make it one of your favorite verses. So go read it already (I promise his posts are shorter than mine).
Then, drop by Doulogos. Daniel has an interesting take on the story of the Good Samaritan.
Jason Robertson over at Fide-O has a great little piece on how successful his church has been in implementing elder rule.
For further discussion on the significance of 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (see my post here), Matthew Sims posted an interesting look at the meaning of "face to face" in this passage. He does so by looking at a number of other Biblical passages that use this imagery. [In another self-promoting plug, this is a good example of the first principle of interpretation I discussed here.]
Kim Riddlebarger informs us that the U.S. government is sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. I'm especially concerned about the two cases in Texas where churches are being taken to court for exercising church discipline.
Tom Ascoll over at the Founders' blog comments on a recent study by Lifeway that shows that the number of pastors who profess to be 5-point Calvinists is growing in the SBC (up to 10%). He thinks this is genuine, and a trend that is likely to continue.
Are your practicing planned neglect? If you are not, this may make you ask if you should be. Also, while your at Challies.com, don't neglect to read about C.J. Mahaney's plan to find a successor.
Interestingly enough, other lighter fair this week comes from the Pyromaniacs. Pecadillo is concerned that parents have a maniacal need to damage the psyche of their children (and pets). Further evidence is provided by Phil, who tries to damage all of our psyche's with a couple of videos about Head-On.
Last Sunday at Truth Is Still Truth, Pastor Thomas Black continued his series on 1 Timothy, reaching the controversial 1 Timothy 2:12-15. Taking what is an increasingly difficult stand in our society, he defends the clear meaning of the text. In addition to showing that there are different roles mandated in the Bible for women, he notes:
Let me conclude with the following note and exhortation. Salon published a chapter from a book by Lauren Sandler that discussed Mars Hill Church. This was very critical of the church, nothing new for Driscoll. However, the book also paints a negative picture of some members (particularly women). Driscoll has published a statement about the chapter on the Resurgence blog. It's all worth a read, but I think this sums up the general tenor and direction of the comments:
While this attack on Mars Hill Church was from outside the (universal) church, many other ministries are being attacked as well, sometimes by those claiming to be Christians. You can find these if you want, but I don't think they are worth your time and this is a good place to practice planned neglect (this is not intended to say that those who have posted on this, particularly those defending these ministries, was wrong to do so). Also, if you are going to criticize Driscoll or some other pastor/church/ministry, please stop and do at least these things before you do: (1) pray; (2) ask yourself if you know that what you are about to relate is true; (3) even if it is, read Proverbs 10:12 and think about whether or not you will be acting in accordance with this verse; and (4) if you have done all those, and still think you should post, ask yourself, "Will relating this information glorify God and build His kingdom?" If not, I assume you know what that means.
To start with, if you haven't already done so, go let Pastor JD Hatfield know which are your favorite Bible verses, chapters, and books. Inquiring minds want to know.
Next, Craver VII relates a story illustrating Malachi 3:3 which may make it one of your favorite verses. So go read it already (I promise his posts are shorter than mine).
Then, drop by Doulogos. Daniel has an interesting take on the story of the Good Samaritan.
Jason Robertson over at Fide-O has a great little piece on how successful his church has been in implementing elder rule.
For further discussion on the significance of 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 (see my post here), Matthew Sims posted an interesting look at the meaning of "face to face" in this passage. He does so by looking at a number of other Biblical passages that use this imagery. [In another self-promoting plug, this is a good example of the first principle of interpretation I discussed here.]
Kim Riddlebarger informs us that the U.S. government is sticking its nose where it doesn't belong. I'm especially concerned about the two cases in Texas where churches are being taken to court for exercising church discipline.
Tom Ascoll over at the Founders' blog comments on a recent study by Lifeway that shows that the number of pastors who profess to be 5-point Calvinists is growing in the SBC (up to 10%). He thinks this is genuine, and a trend that is likely to continue.
Are your practicing planned neglect? If you are not, this may make you ask if you should be. Also, while your at Challies.com, don't neglect to read about C.J. Mahaney's plan to find a successor.
Interestingly enough, other lighter fair this week comes from the Pyromaniacs. Pecadillo is concerned that parents have a maniacal need to damage the psyche of their children (and pets). Further evidence is provided by Phil, who tries to damage all of our psyche's with a couple of videos about Head-On.
Last Sunday at Truth Is Still Truth, Pastor Thomas Black continued his series on 1 Timothy, reaching the controversial 1 Timothy 2:12-15. Taking what is an increasingly difficult stand in our society, he defends the clear meaning of the text. In addition to showing that there are different roles mandated in the Bible for women, he notes:
The very fact that women are commanded and permitted to teach under appropriate circumstances is a death blow to the tired argument that women are somehow more susceptible to being lead astray than men. The teaching and authority issues have nothing to do with gullibility but rather proper understanding of gender roles within God’s created order.
Let me conclude with the following note and exhortation. Salon published a chapter from a book by Lauren Sandler that discussed Mars Hill Church. This was very critical of the church, nothing new for Driscoll. However, the book also paints a negative picture of some members (particularly women). Driscoll has published a statement about the chapter on the Resurgence blog. It's all worth a read, but I think this sums up the general tenor and direction of the comments:
I know a lot of people, especially idealists with blogs and small churches, think they know what we should teach and what we should do. All I can say is that we are working hard and trying to figure it out, but to be honest, it’s not an easy task. We’re all a bit tired, humbled, and honored that Jesus would use us.
While this attack on Mars Hill Church was from outside the (universal) church, many other ministries are being attacked as well, sometimes by those claiming to be Christians. You can find these if you want, but I don't think they are worth your time and this is a good place to practice planned neglect (this is not intended to say that those who have posted on this, particularly those defending these ministries, was wrong to do so). Also, if you are going to criticize Driscoll or some other pastor/church/ministry, please stop and do at least these things before you do: (1) pray; (2) ask yourself if you know that what you are about to relate is true; (3) even if it is, read Proverbs 10:12 and think about whether or not you will be acting in accordance with this verse; and (4) if you have done all those, and still think you should post, ask yourself, "Will relating this information glorify God and build His kingdom?" If not, I assume you know what that means.
posted by Taliesin at 8:37 AM
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