Role of Women In Church

As many of you know, John McCain's choice in Sarah Palin has sparked quite the debate in Evangelical Christian circles (as well as just random circles in general) over the ability of women to lead in our government or in church. If you look at Newsweek's website, "On Faith" is a panel that has currently asked the question about women's role in the church. To be honest my friends, I continue to struggle with this very issue to this day. However, we must all agree that if we wish to debate this issue, then Holy Scripture must be our standard. So, here is my problem at hand. I understand most interpret 1 Timothy 3 as restricting the pastorate to men alone because it says "husbands of one wife." Yet, I sometimes feel it is simply assumed from this statement that women are automatically disqualified because it only mentions them as wives. However, this particular Scripture does make for strong evidence against women in the pastorate. Next, we have passages like Romans 16:1 that specifically mentions a "deaconess." Now traiditionally, two theories dominate this occurence. One, their were women that functioned in a servant leadership role in the early church and were given the title of deaconess. Two, this term merely refers to the wife of a deacon. This particular piece of Scripture, more than any other to my knowledge, seems to allow that women could perhaps lead in some capacity. This is notably not necessarily a teaching position of authority like a pastor or elder, but one of service. Therefore, I do not see a theologically issue with female deacons within the local church. In regards to 1 Timothy 2:9-15, I am not precisely certain of what these restricitions refer to. Is Paul talking about something specific to the church where Timothy is? Is he talking about the marriage relationship? Is he talking about a universal rule for churches? These questions become very interesting because the very same Apostle Paul also says that there is neither male or female, but we are all one in Christ. Therefore, I must conclude that I do not yet fully know what I think about women in the pastorate. I have seen some do wonderful work for the kingdom of God. So, to all my biblical scholars out there, what do you think?

Dad and Memories

I was casually searching the internet today and found my dad's funeral picture slideshow from the funeral home. As I looked through pictures that span the years of my father's life, I am again reminded of how much I miss him...how much he is still a large part of who I am. Two of the pictures really stood out to me. One is the last hike we did together in the Smokies in Elkmont where our family was from. On that trip, dad annointed me with the dirt and water from that place, read from his 1970's era FCA Bible, and consecrated me to God for his ministry. It snowed on us the whole way over and as long as I live, I will never forget that hike. The second photo is of us smoking our pipes together. We both loved this as it usually stemmed great conversation. I believe it is just simply talking to him that I will miss the most. But he has gone to a place where I cannot follow...for now. He is now having the "great conversation" with a God that always has and always will continue to speak to his creation. Thank God for fathers, both heavenly and earthly, and thank God that they love to talk to and spend time with their children. Take time today and tell your dad that you love him.

Central High School Shooting and Uncertainty

Well...not even a month outside of a church shooting, some kid made the decision to settle a score that ended in the death of a 15 year old boy. When a commmunity is rocked by violence, I am at a loss as to any explanation or words that provide consolation to all. I am again reminded of the brevity and uncertainty of all life, and how...time holds the unprecedented and unpredictable. Sometimes...I am beginning to think that when God looks down on his creation and sees his children acting in such ways, he must be terribly disappointed with what we have done to ourselves in this thing called life. At the same time, the only place that I do find comfort is in his Word. Psalm 119 speaks of how God is literally every place that humans can go and can't go. He is even in the midst of terrible things like church shootings and school shootings...constantly moving...constantly drawing people to himself in spite of any circumstance. I take comfort in knowing that God is a God of purpose, of love, of mercy, and of justice. This wonderful God that has the ability to take the ugliest events in society, cover them up with the paint of his blood, and start repainting the picture of his kingdom all over again. He never gives up on what he knows is important, and neither should we. Thoughts???

Knoxville Church Shooting - Progressive Theology

George Orwell said, "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." Once again, Christianity in various forms has hit the news with tragedy. I am sure you all will mourn the loss of the family members and friends at the Unitarian Church. Please understand that though we differ drastically theologically, I still love them as fellow children of God. When the recent news station revealed that the man accused of murdering several congregants did so over an anger at their progressive views, I must admit that I was deeply saddened. I believe that the church has grown way too soft on very important issues that stem from topics as broad as sin and as specific as the role of homosexuals in the church. I am angry that instead of ministering in the culture of this world, we have let the prince of this world and current culture infect the church and our way of thinking. I am angry at the times when we have sat back and watched injustice and done nothing to change the hurt in the world, however; under no circumstances are you ever going to change hearts of people to Christ by shooting at them. What this man has done will have ripple effects for the name of Christ in the media in ways that can only make demons delighted. So people are liberal (whatever that actually means, I find it more of a loaded term) and have poor biblical theology, I am sure that when Jesus looks into the deepest darkest sins in our hearts he thinks we are quite liberal too!!! Please understand that I am not making an argument for tolerance of bad religion and theology, I just do not understand why the man killed people over their religious stance. Jesus ran up against all sorts of liberals and people of other religions. I do not ever remember him killing anyone for not accepting the gospel. In fact, he would tell stories, ask questions, confront sin, but never killed anyone. He never forced his beliefs on anyone. In fact, he loved the very people that crucified and killed him. Yes, the church does need to return to sound biblical theology, but not at the cost of killing other people Thoughts anyone? Why do you feel this man did this?

The Parable of the Two Servants

I would like for as many who wish to read the following passage and tell me what it means. I am preaching on this soon and would like just some other people's impressions as to what Jesus is telling us in this parable. When I have finished my sermon outline, I will post it as well.
Matthew 24:42-51 (New American Standard Bible)
Be Ready for His Coming 42"Therefore (A)be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
43"But be sure of this, that (B)if the head of the house had known (C)at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44"For this reason (D)you also must be ready; for (E)the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
45"(F)Who then is the (G)faithful and (H)sensible slave whom his master (I)put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?
46"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.
47"Truly I say to you that (J)he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
48"But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,'
49and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;
50the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know,
51and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be (K)weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Response to Critical Comments of Dr. Mohler's Defense of the Resurrection

I posted the following on the ON FAITH website to support Dr. Mohler's understanding of the importance of the resurrection. One guy just quotes a bunch of random biased evidence and then I responded to some accusations of pride and arrogance.

As an evangelical Christian, I openly confess that I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, I would like to make two points and then ask two questions. First, I also can take up a great deal of space with evidence from a wide variety of evangelical authors that supports the resurrection of Christ. Block quoting someone else's analysis of scripture and calling them facts does not really provide a convincing argument. Second, I believe that many misinterpret why Christianity claims to be more than a "mere religion." It is not out of pride or arrogance, although Christians are certainly guilty of these. Our cause is simply this: to preach Christ crucified to the world. We do this out of the love that God first showed us. We are exclusive because Christ says that he is the only way in Scripture, but all people have the potential of coming to faith in him. What we hold to be true in Scripture motivates us to share the gospel with people out of love because we desire that they come into a moving relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In my opinion, it is this unique personal relationship that sets Christianity apart from all other religons. Now for the questions: one, For all those who believe that the resurrection did not happen or do not believe in Christ, in your own religious system what do you hope for? Two, if you do not believe in the resurrection, is your problem really with Christ or with Christians. Just some thoughts.

THE LOVE QUESTION

As some of my students will explain, we have been discussing the definition of love in my different classes. Essentially the debate boils down into to primary points. Either love is a choice and we can control who we love, or the objects of our love are beyond our control. If you can tell, I have defined love as a choice to selflessly elevate some other person above yourself in all things. In addition, I believe that all love springs from the very nature of who God is; he is the ultimate source of it. Therefore, when I John 4: 9-11 seems to support my argument. Though God made us and knew we existed, he (if he wished) could have sent us all straight to hell. However, out of his great love, he sent his Son to die on the cross for our sins as a manifestation that he did love us. I believe love, real love mind you, is similar in humans. We have a choice to love our spouses, parents, and friends. If it is not under our control, then are we blaming God for causing us to screw up when we do not meet his standard of loving our neighbor? Certainly not! We must acknowledge the human responsibility of loving people in the right way, as Christ himself loved us. All right. Now, my rant has been short. Let the discussion begin.