“The Unfinished Calling” is a challenge to adults of all ages to commit themselves to nurture the next generation of disciples in the church.
Also See: The Unfinished Calling - An 8-Part Series by Rev. Joe NovensonThinking About Eastern Orthodoxy: A Primer for Evangelicals
The majority of American evangelicals view Eastern Orthodoxy as a small group of odd folks who smell of incense and are basically just ethnically oriented (Russian, Greek) Pope-less Catholics. The only real theological difference they could cite between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism would be the Papacy. Everything else looks and sounds the same.
Over the past few years, however, there has been an uptick in interest in Eastern Orthodoxy. Most believe this has been prompted by the fact that Pope Francis made it very hard for Roman Catholicism to argue that it is the “ancient church” when it is clear Francis (and Leo) are not overly concerned about “Apostolic tradition” or the “ancient” views of pretty much anyone at all. So folks fleeing a surface-level evangelicalism that has no understanding of church history, nor its place in that history, have been turning to Eastern Orthodoxy as an alternative. In this article, I’ll point out 1) why East/West dialogue is difficult, 2) how Eastern Orthodoxy is not as ancient or stable as people often think, and 3) some of the main divisions between Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Bishop of Dallas revises liturgy ban -- exhorts clergy to stick to the 1979 BCP
This is the follow-up pastoral letter from Bishop Robert Price.
Southern Baptists oppose amnesty, political violence, women pastors at annual meeting
In a departure from resolutions dating to 2006, the SBC’s new statement does not mention a path to legal status for immigrants.
Come on, ring those bells
It may be true that no man is an island, but the Southern Baptist Convention is working hard to isolate itself from the world.
After a decade of holding back the most strident far-right forces in the convention, this year voting “messengers” opened the gate and let them saddle the horses. And they did so through blatantly political processes.
The denomination that protected predators just banned prophets
God calls women to preach. This is not a progressive talking point or a cultural accommodation. It is a theological fact, attested across centuries of Christian witness and confirmed in the lives of countless women who have heard the Spirit’s voice and answered it.
The Southern Baptist Convention has decided otherwise.
Why I feel betrayed by the SBC
Is the gospel somehow diminished when it comes from the mouth of a woman? Can Jesus not save if Jesus’ story is told by a woman? Is God’s grace somehow blocked by the gender of the messenger?
The ridiculous attack on women in ministry
God can call literally whomever God wishes to do God’s work.
A Pentagon list overhaul puts Mormon church’s Christian identity back in the spotlight
Most Latter-day Saints do see themselves as Christians. But there are many prominent Christian clergy and scholars who disagree, citing core differences in how they view God and the Trinity and revere a scripture that is not part of the two-testament Christian Bible.
Disciples are followers of God’s Word. So why do we so often wonder what to do with the Bible? Making sense of the words is one thing. Applying them to my life is another. What must I do to behave “biblically”? Does it require a rigid step-by-step method?
There are entire books that try to clarify what application is, but it is not as complicated as we might think.
How Churches Can Help Young Adults Apply Biblical Principles to AI
Churches need to help young adults use AI with biblical wisdom before they are formed by a tool instead of conformed to Christ.
A Biblical Guide to Giving Your Testimony
When the apostle Paul tells his own story, he doesn’t focus on how bad he was before Christ. He emphasises Jesus. That instinct runs counter to much of what passes for testimony-giving today, where the drama of a former life tends to take centre stage and the gospel itself gets relegated to a supporting role. The personal story matters, but it is the garnish, not the main course. The focus of any testimony ought to be the person and work of Jesus: who he is and what he came to do.
I have found Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy chapter 1 a simple and practical framework to use in helping people prepare their testimonies for camps, baptisms, youth groups, and church gatherings.
Image Credit: St. Michael's Episcopal Church - Kingsport, TN
Southern Baptists oppose amnesty, political violence, women pastors at annual meeting
In a departure from resolutions dating to 2006, the SBC’s new statement does not mention a path to legal status for immigrants.
Come on, ring those bells
It may be true that no man is an island, but the Southern Baptist Convention is working hard to isolate itself from the world.
After a decade of holding back the most strident far-right forces in the convention, this year voting “messengers” opened the gate and let them saddle the horses. And they did so through blatantly political processes.
The denomination that protected predators just banned prophets
God calls women to preach. This is not a progressive talking point or a cultural accommodation. It is a theological fact, attested across centuries of Christian witness and confirmed in the lives of countless women who have heard the Spirit’s voice and answered it.
The Southern Baptist Convention has decided otherwise.
Why I feel betrayed by the SBC
Is the gospel somehow diminished when it comes from the mouth of a woman? Can Jesus not save if Jesus’ story is told by a woman? Is God’s grace somehow blocked by the gender of the messenger?
The ridiculous attack on women in ministry
God can call literally whomever God wishes to do God’s work.
A Pentagon list overhaul puts Mormon church’s Christian identity back in the spotlight
Most Latter-day Saints do see themselves as Christians. But there are many prominent Christian clergy and scholars who disagree, citing core differences in how they view God and the Trinity and revere a scripture that is not part of the two-testament Christian Bible.
Also See: Doug Wilson calls Mormons 'polytheists' amid Pentagon dust-up over Christian labelsWhat Does It Mean to “Apply” the Bible?
Disciples are followers of God’s Word. So why do we so often wonder what to do with the Bible? Making sense of the words is one thing. Applying them to my life is another. What must I do to behave “biblically”? Does it require a rigid step-by-step method?
There are entire books that try to clarify what application is, but it is not as complicated as we might think.
How Churches Can Help Young Adults Apply Biblical Principles to AI
Churches need to help young adults use AI with biblical wisdom before they are formed by a tool instead of conformed to Christ.
A Biblical Guide to Giving Your Testimony
When the apostle Paul tells his own story, he doesn’t focus on how bad he was before Christ. He emphasises Jesus. That instinct runs counter to much of what passes for testimony-giving today, where the drama of a former life tends to take centre stage and the gospel itself gets relegated to a supporting role. The personal story matters, but it is the garnish, not the main course. The focus of any testimony ought to be the person and work of Jesus: who he is and what he came to do.
I have found Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy chapter 1 a simple and practical framework to use in helping people prepare their testimonies for camps, baptisms, youth groups, and church gatherings.
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