In my first post I noted the tendency of Baptists generally not to be interested in church history. Exceptions tend to be few and far between. I also note the belief of some people (generally Roman Catholics or Orthodox believers) that studying church history would, almost invariably, lead people to join one of the ancient …
Continue reading Appreciating Church History as a Baptist, Part Two
There are those who might say that being a Baptist and being a lover of Church history is a contradiction. Perhaps the most famous to say this, in essence, was John Henry Newman (1801-1890) when he stated “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.” Obviously this observation is autobiographical for Newman …
Continue reading Appreciating Church History as a Baptist (Part One)
I don't get to too many missions conferences. It is kind of awesome I was able to join a missiology conference (EMS) in South Carolina, USA, and now a missions convention in Cavite, Philippines all in one year. Our Team from Bukal Life Care with former classmates, Ptrs Lino and Marvin It was a great …
Continue reading At the 6th Triennial Congress for Global Missions
Before I start talking about missions and its awkward relationship to Thanos, I must clarify that I am speaking of "Movie-Thanos." Others have noted this, but Thanos in comics was very different. I used to collect comic books, and one series I collected was "Captain Marvel." This was the Captain Marvel of the 1960s Marvel …
Continue reading Christian Missions and the Three Flaws of Thanos
The following sermon I will not be preaching. I wrote it up but decided that the first part of it is too focused on a missiological issue that too many in seminary may not connect with. My point is, after all, not to complain (again...) about "Fast" missions, but rather to drive home the idea …
One of my jobs (I have 4 non-paying jobs) is serving as an administrator of a Pastoral Counseling Center. I like the term "pastoral counseling." Some people prefer "spiritual counseling" but since no two people on earth (as far as I can tell) can agree what the word "spiritual" means, and what it doesn't, I …
Continue reading Worry Not? (Is there anything good about worry?)
Yesterday my wife and I were talking... I can't really recall what now... but something she said triggered a kids song in my head that I had not heard in decades. The song goes like this: Do you know, Oh Christian, you're a sermon in shoes?Do you know, Oh Christian, you're a sermon in shoes?Jesus …
I began teaching "Foundations of Holistic Missions" at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. It is a class I enjoy, and I think it is useful for any Christian seeking to serve God in the world--- not just for Mission Students. As I was prepping for the class, I reviewed the Five Marks of Mission that was …
There is a well-known story of David Livingstone the missionary/explorer, that when he died, locals prepared his body and carried it a great distance, around 1500 kilometers, so that it could be shipped back to England. This was by the request of the British government. However, his heart did not go with the rest of …
Continue reading Should a Missionary Love their Ministry Home More than Their Homeland?
Roland Allen is today considered a great missiologist from the early 20th century, even if not recognized as such in his lifetime. His most famous, and influential, works are “Missionary Methods” and “The Spontaneous Expansion of the Church.” So the little book (almost a brochure) “The Ministry of Expansion: The Priesthood of the Laity,” a …