Posted on October 13th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
Between Two Worlds has a great post on how pastors can keep current with theological study. After almost 30 years as a pastor, I can attest to the difficulty with moving forward in this area. Staying up with current works on culture and biblical study is challenging. Finding time for personal reflecction is hard when you have read the passage many times before. The press of daily duties always looms large.
1. Build it into the things you’re already doing. (QT, sermon prep, discipling, etc.) Read more... (estimated 1:33 mins)
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Theological Studies For Pastors And Others
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Filed under: Christianity
Posted on October 10th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
My friend David has a wonderful post this morning. He points out the fundamental need to trust Christ during the storms of life. It is significant to me that for many, the primary storm they recognize is financial.
“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” c 1633, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Read more... (estimated 1:16 mins)
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Peace in the Meltdown
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Filed under: Christianity
Posted on October 7th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
I always like to comment on things happening in American culture and evaluate them from a Christian worldview. While politics has dominated my recent posts, I am not in any danger of becoming a ‘political’ blog. Fireproof was released in theaters recently and is a movie you will want to see. It deals with the type of marital conflicts that I have talked with couples about for years; stress, conflict, values, intimacy, work, etc. Joyfully, it diverges from the typical film describing a marriage with problems and shows how one couple overcomes their difficulties by applying Christian values. Read more... (estimated 1:54 mins)
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Fireproof – the Movie
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Filed under: Christianity, Marriage
Posted on October 7th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
I am always looking for ways help Christian friends learn more about who they are and how to grow in their relationship with the Lord. This whimsical test from Upper Room is humorous and informative.
My profile:
You are a Sage, characterized by a thinking or head spirituality. You value responsibility, logic, and order. Maybe that’s why you were voted “Most Dependable” by your high school classmates. Structure and organization are important to you. What would the world be like without you? Chaos, that’s what! Your favorite words include should, ought, and be prepared. What makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof it’s tradition! tradition! tradition! Read more... (estimated 1:02 mins)
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What Is Your Spiritual Personality
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Filed under: Christianity
Posted on October 6th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
How do you interpret Scripture? What are the rules you follow to understand what the Bible meant then and how it should be applied today?
These are just two of the questions one asks when learning hermeneutics. This discipline applies to all ancient literature but is under attack by those contemporary philosophers that promote ‘personalizing’ the text. That is, it means whatever it means to you. This is of course the logical extension of post-modernism into the arena of literature. Read more... (estimated 43 secs)
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Hermeneutics Quiz
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Filed under: Christianity
Posted on September 18th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
Inspired by my eldest son and recent posts by my friends Barry and David, I plan to make a series of posts dealing with the Doctrine of Election.
Early in this discussion we must agree on a few items to have a meaningful dialogue. Read more... (estimated 1:52 mins)
- This is a discussion between believers. A person outside the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ does not have the power or presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and is incapable of correctly understanding the Bible.
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The Doctrine of Election
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Filed under: Christianity, Church, Election
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
This is a great resource. You should check out Todd Johnson’s Center for Global Christianity.
Popularity: 1% [?]
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Filed under: Christianity
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
Boomer in the Pew has a great article on the upcoming AZ vote on marriage.
On November 4, Arizonans have the opportunity to say YES for marriage by voting YES on Proposition 102. Prop 102 is 20 simple and clear words that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It’s that simple:
“Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.”
Read the entire article – Arizona Proposition 102.
Popularity: 1% [?]
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Filed under: Marriage
Posted on September 9th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
MTV Video Music Awards host Russell Brand took several digs Sunday night at young stars wearing “purity rings” to pledge their virginity until marriage — and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks wasn’t having any of it.
The British Brand — who is a celebrity in the U.K. but not well known in the U.S. — made a series of jokes centered on the Jonas Brothers and their rings. At one point, he even pretended he’d stolen a Jonas Brother’s virginity as he held a ring in his hand.
Sparks used her moment on stage to have her say about his constant remarks. Read more... (estimated 40 secs)
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Not Every Girl Wants to be a Slut
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Filed under: Culture
Posted on September 9th, 2008 by Dr. Bruce
It has always been troubling to me that pastor’s had to fear reprisal from the IRS when addressing spiritual topics just because they overlap with political causes.
Boomer has a great article on how one group of pastors is combating the IRS.
Read More Here – Fighting the IRS’s Ban on Political Endorsements.
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Filed under: politics
