I typed in Google about "speaking holy language" and got a lot of websites discussing or arguing or maybe pontificating about the following: Is speaking in tongues (ecstatic speach) a holy language? <No. ecstatic speach doesn't have the structural qualities of a language so it is not a language-- holy or otherwise.> What is the …
Category: History in Missions
Look at Christian mission work through the centuries
What to Do with the Unresponsive?
One of my students is writing on the mission work of Paul as it may provide insight to his ministerial context. Describing the targets of Paul's work, my student described three groups. First, he noted that Paul reached out to Jews. He would go to the synagogue and share Jesus as Messiah, Lord, and Savior. …
Misinformation in the 2nd Century
Three things are alleged against us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, Œdipodean intercourse. But if these charges are true, spare no class: proceed at once against our crimes; destroy us root and branch, with our wives and children, if any Christian is found to live like the brutes. And yet even the brutes do not touch the …
Fade or Flourish in 1st Millenium Urban Churches
One of the mysteries in Christianity is why some churches thrive and others fade. Some see the fate of churches as a direct result of their faith. A church of bad or inadequate faith will fade away, while a church of solid faith will endure and prosper. In other words: Faith Determines Fate (But is …
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Missions in Samaria
This is essentially four sermons given a few years ago that have been jammed together into a single document. It still retains some of the aspects of a sermon, including the doubtful practice of alliteration.
Some Seeds Take Longer to Grow
I spoke as the graduation speaker at Aurora College of Intercultural Studies. I spoke on Acts 1:8 (a pretty typical verse for a missionary training school). I suggested that the focus on Power is unnecessary. Rather, If one embraces God's Purpose, one has God's Presence and God's Power I used two stories from the Bible. …
A Necessary Tragedy
This year (2017), and this month (October) marks the 500th anniversary, 'officially' of the Protestant Reformation. I was at a theological forum that commemorated this event, and looked at the original break event 1517 and subsequent years from a traditional Protestant viewpoint, a post-Vatican II Catholic viewpoint, and a Separatist viewpoint. A term that came …
Missions in Samaria Article
I wrote an article based on a series of four sermons I did back in 2012 that became four posts on this blog. If that was not enough, I am considering utilizing the article to develop a chapter of a book that looks at Acts 1:8, particularly structured on the four locations mentioned (Jerusalem, Judea, …
Imperfect Instrument: Bob Pierce (CT Article)
This article is from 2005 on the life of Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision and Samaritan's Purse. To some, he is a great example of one who is on fire for Christ. To me he is a cautionary tale of one who sacrificed his family and his "fire" caused him to burn out. Which …
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Samson Occom and Friends
A mentor of mine, Ptr. Bruce, gave me a quote... and it was very much on a topic that came up in one of my classes, so I had to share it. Referring to Catholic and Protestant missionaries serving in 19th century China: "Both Christian groups' growth was hampered by the missionaries themselves. They could …