I have been following developments in the UMC for four years. To be transparent, I have been a member of the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) and plan on joining the Global Methodist Church (GMC) church once the Protocol is passed. I joined WCA three years ago when I was an ordained teaching pastor in …
Vatican II On the Nature of the Church Lumen Gentium
Introduction The Second Vatican Council was an earthquake that started the process of the Roman Catholic Church awakening from its medieval slumber. The Lumen Gentium, promulgated by Pope Paul VI and delivered on November 11, 1964, brought clarity to Roman Catholics on the nature of the Church and how they deal with those of other …
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The Holy Spirit Fulfillment of Torah Law Part 2 of 2.
The question remains, what is the role of the Torah given the resurrection and ascension?
Apostasy of the Christian Church: Evaluating Mormon Claims that the Christian Church Ceased After the Apostles Part 2 of 2
If the Mormon claim is correct and the church was apostate after the death of the disciples, then there are many ramifications of that fact.
Apostasy of the Christian Church: Evaluating Mormon Claims that the Christian Church Ceased After the Apostles Part 1 of 2
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormon interchangeably) holds many doctrines and beliefs that are contrary to orthodox Christian faith. The nature of God, who Jesus was, and the authority of Scripture, are among a legion of theological positions that separate Mormons from traditional Christian thought. Among these many differences is the Mormon claim that the church ceased to exist as an orthodox body after the death of the apostles.
Why are God’s commands good?
Whether the commands are good unto themselves or good because of theistic declaration seems to be a “chicken and egg” argument, but it is not. Copan addresses the question by first stating that “objective moral values are an inescapable, properly basic bedrock.”
CMA Encouragement Devotional
Here is a video devotional I made for our CMA chapter during the COVID-19 pandemic. My prayer is that these words can give you comfort during this stressful time.
Easter Sunday Sermon Luke 24:13-32
Are you living in the Third Day - the Resurrection Day, or are you living in Saturday - a day of hopelessness?
Holy Week Devotional Day 4
Here is the fourth and final in a series of devotional videos I am providing to my church during Holy Week.
Holy Week Devotional Day 3
Here is the third in a series of devotional videos I am providing to my church during Holy Week.
Holy Week Devotionals Day 2
Here is the second in a series of devotional videos I am providing to my church during Holy Week.
Holy Week Devotionals Day 1
Here is the first in a series of devotional videos I am providing to my church during Holy Week.
Book Review: The Changing Face of World Missions: Engaging Contemporary Issues and Trends
The Circle, the River, and the Bridge: Symbolic Imagery from The Dialogue of Catherine of Sienna
Modern American and Chinese Christianity: Modern Christianity in Two Cultures and What They Can Learn From Each Other
Introduction In the Spring of 2006, I had the great privilege to travel to Shang Hai and train twelve Chinese engineers to support my company’s software. Spending 10 days with these people, I found myself immersed in their culture. Each day at lunch, we would go to a different restaurant and would talk …
Entering a new age of Evangelism
The title “evangelist” brings with it a set of powerful preconceptions. For some, it brings to mind thoughts of John Wesley going from town to town on horseback, George Whitfield preaching in large fields in England or Dwight Moody in halls and on stages around the world. For others, the evangelist brings to mind …
The Multiethnic Church
Many church trends have come and gone. The Christian church in all of its forms has ebbed and flowed between many different worship styles and many different liturgical movements. Most of these movements have been a reflection of culture. The Christian church should be sensitive to the culture without losing its identity. But like Indian …
The Church in Postmodern Post-Christian America – and that’s the good news!
Dealing with our postmodern culture is one of the most important issues the American church is facing today. In the lecture on just what the church is, Dr. James Flynn with the help of Dr. Joseph Umidi, reviewed how institutionalism has had adverse effects on the church – often times shutting down creativity and enhancing …
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The Office of Apostle
I am new to the idea of the 5-fold ministry. Sure, I have read Ephesians 4: “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in …
The Power of Testimony
In the three accounts of Paul’s conversion, there are some differences in what those who were with him saw and heard. Do these differences discredit Paul’s testimony? When giving testimony, the one who is testifying needs to have credibility. Credibility leads authority to the testimony to persuade or confirm facts that are under consideration. In …
Brian Welsh and ministry to a transgendered person
Recently there was an article that came my way that challenged me in the way I think about how Christ followers should react to people that are transgendered. The article can be found HERE and relates how Korn guitarist and devoted Christian, Brian Welch, prayed for a young person who is transgendered. He made this …
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Bob Hazlett – Opposition turned into Opportunity
The life of Thomas Hooker reveals how opposition is really opportunity.
Bob Hazlett – Ivy League Church
Continuing his Motorcycle Monday series, Bob visits Yale.
Bob Hazlett – Be the Church
I will be reposting the Bob Hazlett's video Motorcycle Mondays here on Wednesdays. He has some great insights that I want to share.