NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

“Jesus Saves” Imbues God’s Call

January 8, 2017 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The shortest, deepest, most meaningful message in the Bible.

Jesus Saves

The ministry is a calling, not a career. It can become a career but there’s a big difference between a calling that becomes a career and a career that was never initiated by a calling.

Those who answer the call are often well suited for many different types of secular work. In fact, several people move into ministry from secular positions taking their skills with them. Moses was trained in Egypt before leading Israel out of slavery. David’s fighting skills were honed while shepherding sheep. Elisha was a farmer before he became the prophet of God. The qualities he developed in farming – reliability, diligence, endurance, attention to detail, organization – were just as useful in ministry as they were in farming.

But the question is, why would anyone do that? Why would a person move from a successful career path in secular work, one they’ve worked hard to prepare for and succeed at, to take up a position in ministry?

Momma Called, Daddy Sent, Socially Ratified

Sad to say, some do this because others think they should. The response is induced by public opinion. Respected others become the basis for a call. And since the work itself is so desirable – ministry is thought of as doing only good things – it’s an easy shift.

The Bible does say ministry is good work.

If a man desires the office of Bishop, he desires a good thing (1 Timothy 3:1).

What it doesn’t say is that ministry is the only good work or that all other work is tainted, but that is the perception. Secular work is leprous. Ministry is heavenly. It’s all very pie in the sky.

The truth is, you don’t have to be in ministry to do good work.

Secular work isn’t partly dingy and ministry isn’t the purified version of vocation. In fact, sound theology teaches there is dignity in all work. Dignity being derived not from the nature of the work but from the way you perform it.

God Called

Another reason people opt for ministry is the call. They are called by God to the work of ministry and the calling is often attached to some specific location. A town or city.

But is that enough? Career oriented people tend to be decisive individuals. They’re focused. They visualize where they are going, they anticipate specific results and they make and own their choices. Allowing someone else to make those choices, even God, doesn’t sit well with these types.

So what is it that prompts them to leave a well defined career path and move into ministry apart from the call? What expectation captures their attention and keeps them focused on ministry?

In short, the answer is simple: [Read more…] about “Jesus Saves” Imbues God’s Call

Filed Under: Evangelism, Salvation, Theology

Differences Between Calvinists And Arminians

June 25, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Today's Calvinist is different to yesterday's.

Either/Or
Neither/Nor
What Are You
Going To Be

I consider myself neither Calvinist nor Arminian but rather a mix of the two. I don’t mean to sound uncommitted or indecisive when I say that.

It’s just difficult for me to think any person could really side completely with either.

And the two ideas vary a lot.

I doubt any person in either camp today is exactly what the forebears of either belief were in the past. Which, of course, means that if you say you are a Calvinist now, you will be differing with Calvinists of yesteryear.

As things move forward, and we think more deeply about our beliefs, perspective changes.

Don’t overreact. I didn’t say belief changes. I said perspective changes. If it doesn’t, you’re standing still.

It’s a fact. Today’s Calvinist is different.

The same could be said of Arminians but does anyone ever talk about Arminianism. Other than Calvinists.

Of the two ideas, the one most talked about, studied, explained and argued over is Calvinism. Everyone joins in that conversation. Arminianism, however, gets most of it’s attention from Calvinists.

So, I decided to put together a comparison of the two. Don’t get upset though. No insult is intended. The following list of comparisons is not exhaustive and is written in the spirit of fun and humor. [Read more…] about Differences Between Calvinists And Arminians

Filed Under: Faith, God's Sovereignty, Theology

God Is Personal Means What

February 6, 2016 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Does the holiness of God completely trump His personal response?

God Is Fully Aware
And Personally Responsive

Every Bible believing system I know of refers to God as Personal.

But then, after saying that, these same systems suggest things that defy the concept, like God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners.

Begs the question. Several actually.

What do they really mean by Personal? Or better yet, what impact would Personal have on beliefs about God if taken to the logical end? The answer is profound.

Let me explain.

Whatever is done Personally is done in person, by a person and for a person. It’s relational.

Saying God is Personal means He acts as a person and relates to people individually. He hears individual prayers. He saves individuals. He isn’t relationally challenged.

Tell me. Has God ever sent a message His Spirit didn’t personally infuse?

God’s blessing on any nation, culture or geographical area is largely based on His relationship with the individuals. In other words, God is God to the whole group one person at a time.

Generally, everyone agrees with that, but extrapolating the idea draws fire. [Read more…] about God Is Personal Means What

Filed Under: Evangelism, God Speaks, Salvation, Theology

Book Review: Out Of My Mind By W. J. de Kock

March 23, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Out Of My Mind by W. J. de Kock

A Genuine Re-Minding
Produces Genuine Re-Lifing

The language de Kock uses is different (regenerative theology) but the meaning is very similar to what we’ve come to know as spiritual formation.

But for de Kock it is more than a theoretical discussion. It’s personal. He lived regeneratively and shares his experience in Out of My Mind.

In this great read, life and theology come together. It combines biographical material – de Kock’s experience of transformation – with theology and history. The theology is modernist with an Apartheid flavor and the history focuses on the recent transformation of the South African society.

De Kock’s transformation is tied to and parallels that of South Africa, and the book gives a brief account of both.

One of my favorite words in the book is re-minding. It is beautiful but different way of saying repentance and de Kock’s case illustrates what that really means.

Because the book contained theology, it was a little dry in places but overall an insightful read.

The book is available in both hard cover and Kindle.

THINK!AboutIt

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Personal Development, Theology

What Makes The Gospel Good News?

March 7, 2013 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Repentance is more cerebral than emotional. No one repents without first thinking

We Must Articulate The Gospel
Not Throw It At People

At the heart of Christian belief is the Gospel. It’s a major concept in the New Testament. I wouldn’t say it dominates but it is definitely pervasive. You find it everywhere you look.

The word is used 98 times in the New Testament and is found in nineteen books. It is mentioned toward the beginning and the ending of several of these books:

  • The first three books: Matthew, Mark and Luke

It seems strange that the word “Gospel” isn’t found in John even once, until you realize that John focuses on “belief” which is the personal response that catalyzes the application of the Gospel to an individual’s heart. John’s focus, therefore, compliments the focus on the Gospel in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Other books where “Gospel” is mentioned toward the beginning and ending are:

  • Romans
  • 1 & 2 Corinthians
  • Galatians
  • Philippians

Mark gives the word first importance. It literally opens and closes the book. It is mentioned in the first verse of the first chapter and almost the last verse of the last chapter. That is also true for Romans.

In three books: Romans, Galatians and Philippians, the word is used at least five times in the first chapter alone – six times in Philippians 1.

The Gospel was obviously important to the New Testament writers and most people recognize that. Unfortunately it isn’t always made very clear today.

The Gospel Needs Specific Definition

It is common that when people talk about Jesus they often mention the Gospel but rarely do much to explain it and it really needs to be explained. “Gospel” is only one word and it has a very simple, unspecific, generalized meaning: “good news.” That’s it. Without more detail you’re still in a mist. All kinds of news can be referred to as “good” so we need to specify what the news is. [Read more…] about What Makes The Gospel Good News?

Filed Under: Christian Living, Evangelism, Theology

Next Page »
Faith Tees
In Defense of Divorce
This book doesn't say what you've already heard.

Copyright © 2021 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in