I don't buy a lot of books. The availability of Christian books that I am interested in here in the Philippines is limited. I also have limited resources. So I really feel fortunate when I ordered four books that were delivered a few weeks ago. All four I have found to be very useful. I …
Month: September 2017
Quote of Myth, Meaning, and Ministry
One of my students put a great quote in one of his papers for our Cultural Anthropology class. “Myth is a perceived truth which is immeasurably greater than concept. It is high time that we stop identifying myth with invention or simply human imagination, with the illusions of primitive mentality. The creation of mythis among …
Christians and the “Cult of Ares”
A few months ago, the movie "Wonder Woman" had as the main villain, or villain behind the villains, Ares, the Greek god of war. Some were surprised or disappointed by the choice of actor to play that role. They felt that the character did not fit the larger than life image of what they pictured …
Multiplication
A nice article about the Five Levels of Churches, drawing from thoughts from Alan Hirsch and others. Please click below. http://wp.me/p2gfET-7U
The Timeless Church
We talk of the local church, and the universal church. The local church is the community of faith, while the universal church is the Body of Christ or Bride of Christ, depending on your metaphor of choice. Baptists, of which I am lumped, often tend to focus on the local church. I like the idea …
Why I Love Teaching Church History on the Mission Field
As I have been visiting churches during our home assignment (furlough), I am occasionally asked why I teach church history in Thailand. “Do they really need to learn church history? Don’t they need the Bible more?” The answer to both questions is , "They do." In a full-orbed approach to discipleship, Christians need to know …
Continue reading Why I Love Teaching Church History on the Mission Field
Local Churches and Parachurch Ministries
Local Churches and Parachurch ministries have a long history of struggle. One can even broaden this to other Modality (community-based) versus Sodality (purpose-based) structures. Jesus and his ministry band was often in conflict with the temple and synagogue system. One might be quick to side with the ministry band, and be against the temple and …
Simple Faith Versus Shallow Faith
In my class on Contemporary Issues in Missions, somehow the issue of "Simple Faith" came up. I noted that I have a lot of respect for those with Simple Faith. These are the people who say something to the effect that "God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It." I respect that in many …