In fulfilment of the charge which God had entrusted to me, I laid the foundation like a skilful master-builder; but another man is now building upon it. Let every one take care how he builds; For no man can lay any other foundation than the one already laid-Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10-11) In 2004-5, the …
Pat Robertson vs. the "Shepherding Movement"
In the midst of the ongoing tragedy of the recent tornadoes here in Tennessee and around the South-east, I received a most interesting document: an exchange of 1975 correspondence between Pat Robertson and Bob Mumford (and some other items) re Pat's objections to the "shepherding movement" in vogue at the time. That movement was the …
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Month of Sundays: Following
After this many of his disciples drew back, and did not go about with him any longer. So Jesus said to the Twelve: “Do you also wish to leave me?” But Simon Peter answered: “Master, to whom shall we go? Immortal Life is in your teaching; And we have learned to believe and to know …
They Tell Us What To Do And We Do It: A Good Friday Reflection
Today is Good Friday. It's about as late as it gets in the year. As Lent winds up and we reflect on the Passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it's also time for those of us in academia to wind up the semester (well, those of us on a semester system...) It's been …
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Month of Sundays: Fruit
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and I appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that should remain, so that the Father might grant you whatever you ask in my Name. (John 15:16) “I hope you are right.” The Chinese engineer across the table was sceptical about my claims. …
Online Giving: Don't Go for the Hard Sell if You Don't Need To
I read with amusement this post from The Lead: As I have wrestled with this question with congregational leaders (and with members of the Net and Millenial Generations) one significant reality has emerged. It has to do with stewardship practices. The Net and Millenial Generation members do not use cash and they do not write …
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Month of Sundays: Finding
A voice called, "Call out!" I asked, "What should I call out?" "Call out: All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower in the field. Grass dries up, and flowers wither when the LORD'S breath blows on them. Yes, people are like grass. Grass dries up, and flowers wither, but …
Tertullian was Right About the Shape of the Cross
In the midst of the excitement about the discovery of the small lead books that date from the earliest days of Christianity, this of note: Philip Davies, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Studies at Sheffield University, says the most powerful evidence for a Christian origin lies in plates cast into a picture map of the …
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Month of Sundays: Faith
As they passed by early in the morning, they noticed that the fig-tree was withered up from the very roots. Then Peter recollected what had occurred. “Look, Rabbi,” he exclaimed, “the fig-tree which you doomed is withered up!” “Have faith in God!” replied Jesus. “I tell you that if any one should say to this …
Month of Sundays: Excuses
They all with one accord began to ask to be excused. The first man said to the servant 'I have bought a field and am obliged to go and look at it. I must ask you to consider me excused.' The next said 'I have bought five pairs of bullocks, and I am on my …
Positive Infinity 