Contextualization


Speak rightly.  Language teaches doctrine. Isn’t that a beautiful church! [church as building] When is church this week? [church as worship service] We have church at 11:00 AM on Sunday. [church as moment in time and something to do] Why is it okay to communicate this way within the faith […]

Are We Practicing a Doctrinal Double Standard?


Do you really?  That’s what these guys say. Understanding context is important to our labors. Peoples are shaped and defined by cultures.  While biblical prescriptions are ultimate, contextualization is crucial to what we do. When the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us (John 1:14), God contextualized Himself as never […]

If You’re Gonna Play in Texas, You Gotta have a ...


1
We often equate the testing of boundaries with the acts of deviant children. “My child is testing the boundaries to see if he will get disciplined.” “She is pushing her boundaries, and I will not stand for that!” And, yes, whenever such actions and thoughts push against divinely-established parameters (e.g., […]

The Stewardship of Questioning the Boundaries



My family and I love going to an orchard near our home to pick apples.  This is something we have done for several years when they are in season.  Now, while I could not tell you the names of the different types of apples found there, which ones are best […]

We May Look Alike and Talk Alike But We are ...


I am interrupting my current series on North American church multiplication strategies to write this timely post.  I just received the latest statistics from the U. S. census on poverty in the United States.  Unfortunately, the news is not good. Also, you can already find related articles in The Washington Post and The […]

Poverty Statistics for the United States