This blog is called Dead Theologians because I prefer to read the works of Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Edwards, Whitefield and the like rather than 99% of today's wasted ink on paper.
The content on this page is my honest attempt to go over things that pertain to Christianity and its mouthpiece, the church.
I also plan to write about many other topics that relate to my life as a Christian. My goal is to comment throughout the week on one subject while changing subjects every week or so.
Friday, September 07, 2007
IDEAS
Every week or so, I will write about a topic of your choice. If you have a request, please email me at deadtheologians@gmail.com
It seems that you cannot allow me to joke (notice the smiley). I have read MUCH MUCH harsher language on info that was accepted and fed by some of your cohorts.
You said "OK, DT, give me your considered, non-hysterical assessment of this."
Sorry, I forgot to mention some things. You asked so I'm being honest. No jabs, just truth as I see it.
1. You don't stay on subject. 2. It appears to be a public service announcement on behalf of the Emergent/Emerging movement. 3. Throughout the article you seem to pay more attention to its detractors than it itself 4. More than anything it appears to be a philosophy of the EM.
You said "The orthodox church has fallen in such petrified love with their doctrines of paper, regardless of how true, that we have left the painful journey that seeks to live Christ in a tangible way."
Rick, remember. What you believe determines how you act.
You seem more critical of those that question it than those that are "off the cracker."
Rick, I was hoping for more meat. Instead it turned into a counter attack against its detractors.
-birth control (yeah or nay) -women working o/s the home -origin of sin -family integrated churches or family segregating churches -Guiliani vs Hilary -KJV, NAS, NIV, ESV, TLB, etc.? -modesty
I think your family and mine would have a lot in common.
Do you know of Doug Phillips? He was the main speaker at our denomination's family conference this summer. He and some of our people had just been at the Jamestown celebration, so we got some wonderful lectures on History from a Biblical perspective.
Why don't we add educating our covenant children to the list....
Is it the godless government's job to educate our children???
Yes, I agree, our families would have much to fellowship over.
I am very familiar with Doug Phillips. In fact, last February I was able spend some time talking with him at a Liberty Day Celebration near Chicago. My family has been blessed immensely by Vision Forum.
I wrote about my meeting with him on my blog "The Male Domain."
As for "educating our covenant children," I actually just finished a 4-part series on the matter on the same blog as well.
We didn't attend Jamestown, but had some very close friends who know Doug and some of the other speakers personally attend and they told us all about it.
BTW, I'm sure a woman of your stature and intellect would enjoy my wife's blog for ladies.
www.proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com
I believe she has a link to DT's wife's blog as well which my wife enjoys frequently. His wife goes by Mrs. U just so you know.
Of course God is the Creator of everything and the Word says that God made evil. But the origin/manifestation of sin was Lucifer. God is the Creator of the power to sin but He is not the Author of sin, Lucifer is the father of lies which attributes sin as his offspring.
You are truly a blessed man. What a beautiful family you have! I have enjoyed reading both your blog as well as your wife's. I loved your posts on education. (As it is entitled "The Male Domain," I dared not comment :) !)
Your wife's blog is beautifully done and exudes biblical femininity. As I read perused some of her posts, Psalm 128:3-4 came to mind:
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord."
I look forward to visiting your family's blogs again.
Deborah
DT- I was unable to locate your wife's blog, but I would love to read it too.
I have a question about titles in ministry. Should we all just be "brethren" rather than identify ouselves with a specific title to tell people who we are? Like "Pastor So and So" or "Evangelist (fill in the blank)" or even "Minister _____." Are titles biblical? Does it make one stand out over another? Does it make one "lord over" the other saints?
Great questions. "Are titles biblical? Does it make one stand out over another? Does it make one "lord over" the other saints?"
Titles are biblical if used biblically. Paul begins most of his letters with the "Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ..."
He recognized the position that Jesus gave him, but wasn't using it for selfish gain. In Ephesians we see that the body of Christ has been given Pastors and teachers, apostles, evangelists, etc., so the titles, or gifts we could say are biblical.
Theirs a huge problem if someone insists on being called by their gifting. We don't see Peter or the others referring to Paul as we do, 'the apostle paul.' They just called him paul. And don't think it bothered him that much.
So if someone gets mad that you don't call him Pastor, Prophet, or Evangelist, I'd keep my distance from such a person. I know many Godly, humble Pastors who prefer to be called Mark, John, Mike, an elder at such and such church.
That's my take on it, DT and the others may see it differently.
May God Bless you as you raise your daughter to love Jesus!
To add on to what Steve said, in Matthew 16:19 we have Jesus giving authority to His ministers:
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Christ gave His church officers as gifts. They have certain responisbilities within Christ's church. For example, only ordained Teaching Elders may administer baptism or the Lord's Supper.
House Churches have become very popular of late. (Personally, I think it is a knee jerk reaction to the terrible state of most of our evangelical churches today.) I am speaking of the House Churches who have no ordained minister and don't believe in any type of authority within the church. The fathers baptize their own families, administer the Lord's Supper, the "message" is a group of families sitting around discussing what certain passages mean to them, etc.
How can those attending a House Church (with no authority) obey the following:
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."
Christ has given His church undershepherds (Jesus being the chief shepherd of any church) to rule His church. Sadly, in most churches today unqualified elders/deacons are elected only because of their popularity or business acumen.
I enjoyed visiting your wife's blog. You are a blessed man as well. Your wife seems to be the picture of Proverbs 31 and your daughter is beautiful. As a side note, as I viewed your wife's profile, I was struck with how similar our tastes are. She listed some of my favorite movies, music and books. Each of my daughters will be receiving a hard back copy of "Stepping Heavenward" on their sixteenth birthday!
Thank you for your responses. I wasn't really questioning authority (although I have some thoughts regarding Hebrews 13:17), I was just asking about how we seem to put much stock in a title. I have seen much arrogance, pride, and expectation in some who hold a particular office. A title does not make a person, their love for/faith in Christ and life that obeys Him does.
When John Knox received his call to the ministry, he wept because he knew what the office required and how he would one day give an account to God concerning how he shepherded His flock. Many pastors today don't have that mentality. Pastoring becomes an "easy" job. After all, you can purchase your sermons already in a kit, and not much studying is required.
43 comments:
Elders and their roles within the church
Rick,
Now that is a good one.
I will work on that one.
DT
I am still interested in the alcohol debate.
Some Reformed Baptists, an Emergent, a Dispensationalist, and a Reformed Presbyterian went in to the liquor store.... :)
Alcohol - I can, I don't.
Deborah,
I'm afraid that I have a few people waiting on the alcohol "discussion."
DT
Henry (rick),
I saw your comment on the Baptism post. It looks like you and I are the "early birds."
We could always discuss:
Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism (jk)
We also have never discussed the mode of baptism.
Eschatology may prove to be interesting as well.
"Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism (jk)"
No, I'd rather discuss supercalifragilisticexpialidocous!
Rick,
I think you would be good posting on that subject.
DT
Alcohol...did someone say alcohol.
Who's buying?
No cheap stuff either, only good domestic of imports.
How about cigars? Would anyone care to join me for a good stogie?
I hear Spurgeon was quite fond of good cigars!
Steve,
On the subject of cigars you might find enjoyable.
http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/cigars.htm
DT
OK, DT, give me your considered, non-hysterical assessment of this.
http://judahslion.blogspot.com/
DT,
As your Police/Hitmen are watching over my shoulder, I will read it and let you know.
DT
They do not know I have posted it, they do not have anything to do with FJL.
I do not know what you mean by laying down, and I hope you are kidding with the "dogs" refernce in referring to brothers in Christ.
Rick,
But I hear that FJL's writer is "thick as thieves" with those guys.
I've heard that if you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas. :)
DT
Rick,
It seems that you cannot allow me to joke (notice the smiley). I have read MUCH MUCH harsher language on info that was accepted and fed by some of your cohorts.
DT
I know, after I read what I wrote and then saw the smiley symbol(I am completely clueless when it comes to those things)I realized your tone. Sorry.
I wanted to call you an attack do...
Never mind.
BTW - I have never called you an ugly name, on or off the clock!
Coming out of lurkdom... I think it would be interesting to have a discussion on male/female roles in the church. What is biblical? What is feminism?
Anonymous,
I think that is a great suggestion. So far I have some good ones.
Thanks,
DT
Rick,
I read your article.
DT
Rick,
You said "OK, DT, give me your considered, non-hysterical assessment of this."
Sorry, I forgot to mention some things. You asked so I'm being honest. No jabs, just truth as I see it.
1. You don't stay on subject.
2. It appears to be a public service announcement on behalf of the Emergent/Emerging movement.
3. Throughout the article you seem to pay more attention to its detractors than it itself
4. More than anything it appears to be a philosophy of the EM.
You said "The orthodox church has fallen in such petrified love with their doctrines of paper, regardless of how true, that we have left the painful journey that seeks to live Christ in a tangible way."
Rick, remember. What you believe determines how you act.
You seem more critical of those that question it than those that are "off the cracker."
Rick, I was hoping for more meat. Instead it turned into a counter attack against its detractors.
You asked.
DT
DT,
Other 'easy' topics to write about;
-birth control (yeah or nay)
-women working o/s the home
-origin of sin
-family integrated churches or family segregating churches
-Guiliani vs Hilary
-KJV, NAS, NIV, ESV, TLB, etc.?
-modesty
Just some thoughts!
DT,
Thanks for the cigar post about Spurgeon. I enjoyed it.
Steve,
I think your family and mine would have a lot in common.
Do you know of Doug Phillips? He was the main speaker at our denomination's family conference this summer. He and some of our people had just been at the Jamestown celebration, so we got some wonderful lectures on History from a Biblical perspective.
Why don't we add educating our covenant children to the list....
Is it the godless government's job to educate our children???
(I guess you can already tell where I stand.)
DT - Thanks for taking the time, I appreciate it.
Guliani verses Hillary? Who cares.
Birth contol? The Pope
Origin of sin? Lucifer
Modesty? Yes
Bible Trnslation? Several
Working women? A problem
Deborah,
Yes, I agree, our families would have much to fellowship over.
I am very familiar with Doug Phillips. In fact, last February I was able spend some time talking with him at a Liberty Day Celebration near Chicago. My family has been blessed immensely by Vision Forum.
I wrote about my meeting with him on my blog "The Male Domain."
As for "educating our covenant children," I actually just finished a 4-part series on the matter on the same blog as well.
We didn't attend Jamestown, but had some very close friends who know Doug and some of the other speakers personally attend and they told us all about it.
BTW, I'm sure a woman of your stature and intellect would enjoy my wife's blog for ladies.
www.proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com
I believe she has a link to DT's wife's blog as well which my wife enjoys frequently. His wife goes by Mrs. U just so you know.
Rick,
"Origin of sin? Lucifer"
Wrong, God is! Lucifer is the creator of nothing.
"Origin of sin? Lucifer"
Wrong, God is! Lucifer is the creator of nothing.
Steve-O is in the house
Rick,
"Origin of sin? Lucifer"
Who made Lucifer??
Of course God is the Creator of everything and the Word says that God made evil. But the origin/manifestation of sin was Lucifer. God is the Creator of the power to sin but He is not the Author of sin, Lucifer is the father of lies which attributes sin as his offspring.
Semantics, maybe.
Rick,
Did Lucifer create anything?
Agreed. Lucifer showed us the beginning manifestation of sin.
To me, the CREATION of sin verses the COMMITTING of sin are two different issues.
DT
Rick,
Perfection (God) can create sin (which is not a sin). He does not commit sin (which is what we do and Satan also does).
DT
I can sign on to that, DT.
You seem to have a good handle on sin. (I couldn't help it!)
Your explanation does make sense though.
Steve,
Thanks for the sites. I look forward to dropping by for a visit!
Deborah
Hey Steve,
You are truly a blessed man. What a beautiful family you have! I have enjoyed reading both your blog as well as your wife's. I loved your posts on education. (As it is entitled "The Male Domain," I dared not comment :) !)
Your wife's blog is beautifully done and exudes biblical femininity. As I read perused some of her posts, Psalm 128:3-4 came to mind:
"Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord."
I look forward to visiting your family's blogs again.
Deborah
DT- I was unable to locate your wife's blog, but I would love to read it too.
I have a question about titles in ministry. Should we all just be "brethren" rather than identify ouselves with a specific title to tell people who we are? Like "Pastor So and So" or "Evangelist (fill in the blank)" or even "Minister _____." Are titles biblical? Does it make one stand out over another? Does it make one "lord over" the other saints?
I'd be interested in biblical responses.
Deborah,
Her web address is
http://www.makingahouseahome.blogspot.com/
DT
Melissa,
Great questions. "Are titles biblical? Does it make one stand out over another? Does it make one "lord over" the other saints?"
Titles are biblical if used biblically. Paul begins most of his letters with the "Paul, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ..."
He recognized the position that Jesus gave him, but wasn't using it for selfish gain. In Ephesians we see that the body of Christ has been given Pastors and teachers, apostles, evangelists, etc., so the titles, or gifts we could say are biblical.
Theirs a huge problem if someone insists on being called by their gifting. We don't see Peter or the others referring to Paul as we do, 'the apostle paul.' They just called him paul. And don't think it bothered him that much.
So if someone gets mad that you don't call him Pastor, Prophet, or Evangelist, I'd keep my distance from such a person. I know many Godly, humble Pastors who prefer to be called Mark, John, Mike, an elder at such and such church.
That's my take on it, DT and the others may see it differently.
May God Bless you as you raise your daughter to love Jesus!
Deborah,
Thank you so much for the kind words. The Lord has truly been kind and gracious to me and my wife in every way.
Glad to have you on the blogs.
BTW- A few Women have posted comments, so don't let the name stop you! :-)
Melissa,
To add on to what Steve said, in Matthew 16:19 we have Jesus giving authority to His ministers:
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Christ gave His church officers as gifts. They have certain responisbilities within Christ's church. For example, only ordained Teaching Elders may administer baptism or the Lord's Supper.
House Churches have become very popular of late. (Personally, I think it is a knee jerk reaction to the terrible state of most of our evangelical churches today.) I am speaking of the House Churches who have no ordained minister and don't believe in any type of authority within the church. The fathers baptize their own families, administer the Lord's Supper, the "message" is a group of families sitting around discussing what certain passages mean to them, etc.
How can those attending a House Church (with no authority) obey the following:
"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."
Christ has given His church undershepherds (Jesus being the chief shepherd of any church) to rule His church. Sadly, in most churches today unqualified elders/deacons are elected only because of their popularity or business acumen.
DT,
I enjoyed visiting your wife's blog. You are a blessed man as well. Your wife seems to be the picture of Proverbs 31 and your daughter is beautiful. As a side note, as I viewed your wife's profile, I was struck with how similar our tastes are. She listed some of my favorite movies, music and books. Each of my daughters will be receiving a hard back copy of "Stepping Heavenward" on their sixteenth birthday!
Deborah
To Steve & Deborah,
Thank you for your responses. I wasn't really questioning authority (although I have some thoughts regarding Hebrews 13:17), I was just asking about how we seem to put much stock in a title. I have seen much arrogance, pride, and expectation in some who hold a particular office. A title does not make a person, their love for/faith in Christ and life that obeys Him does.
Again, thank you for your responses.
Hey Melissa,
When John Knox received his call to the ministry, he wept because he knew what the office required and how he would one day give an account to God concerning how he shepherded His flock. Many pastors today don't have that mentality. Pastoring becomes an "easy" job. After all, you can purchase your sermons already in a kit, and not much studying is required.
Deborah
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