Practicing Christian Doctrine: Book Review
Over the last several years, my studies and ministry have taken me through a fascinating exploration of the relationship between beliefs and practices. Unfortunately, I’ve discovered that evangelicals have not emphasized this subject as much as it probably deserves. Even in lamenting the unhealthy disconnect between thinking and living, it’s difficult to avoid the suspicion that part of the blame is due to the way that theology is...
Epistemology for Pastors
In my last essay, I outlined a basic understanding of personhood from a Christian perspective. In order for pastoral ministry to yield the kind of fruit we pray for in the lives of God’s flock, we have to be sure that our assumptions about what people are square with the biblical account. As God’s image-bearers, we’ve been formed and made for relationships, fruitfulness, cultural stewardship, and dominion. All of these callings...
Desire: A Missing Link In Our Theology
What happens when right beliefs don’t lead to right behavior? Using New Testament language, we might simply call this “hypocrisy.” In my previous essay, I addressed the problems with separating theology (doctrine) from ethics (practice). Because these two belong together biblically, effectively divorcing them renders Christianity incoherent. They flow in and out of one another. Once we accept this, it is only reasonable to ask, “Why...
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