Judging Not?

I have been preaching through the Sermon on the Mount at church, and soon I will be getting to one of those veses that some people use as a weapon, and others act like it is not there. Some people seem to think that the verse supports a sort of radical "let it be" perspective. …

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Polycarp and Persecution

Chapter 4. Quintus the apostate Now one named Quintus, a Phrygian, who was but lately come from Phrygia, when he saw the wild beasts, became afraid. This was the man who forced himself and some others to come forward voluntarily [for trial]. Him the proconsul, after many entreaties, persuaded to swear and to offer sacrifice. …

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Correlation in Missions Theology

Correlation is described by Paul Tillich as: Theology formulates the questions implied in human existence, and theology formulates the answers implied in divine self-manifestation under the guidance of the questions implied in human existence. This is a circle which drives man to a point where question and answer are not separated. Paul Tillich, "Systematic Theology," 1951, …

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Adventures in Pastoral Theology

I have decided to create a new blog titled "Adventures in Pastoral Theology." I have noticed that my posts on Munson Missions Musings have become more and more tied to pastoral theology, pastoral care, pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, theological reflection, and the like. Therefore, to avoid the website becoming les and less on missions, I …

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Ending Well

We are all going to die. And that is okay. Oh, I know you might say that Jesus is returning any day and will take the redeemed meeting with them that had not "slept" in the clouds. Statistically speaking, however, history is decidedly on the side of "it is appointed unto man once to die" …

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Three Dimensions of Despair

I was reading a dissertation I happen to like ("Pastoral Variables In Psychotherapy: Aa Instrument For Assessment" by David C. Stancil), I found some research he had done on the issue of despair and the related issue of hopelessness.  I want to hit on a few things from that work. Stancil refers to Irving Yalom …

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