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Reading Report: The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision

n his introduction to the book, Vanhoozer contends that pastors have primarily abandoned their function of delivering theology in a public setting. Specifically, he states that the “underlying conviction is that theological minds need to return to where they belong: in the body of Christ.” The problem is that, while tied up with a multiplicity of demands, pastors put theology aside, which is ultimately detrimental to the church body.

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Book Review: Restoring the Lost Kingdom: A Biblical-Theological Look at 1 Timothy 2 by Dénes House

Having studied theology and the Bible for many years, I need to be reminded (with some frequency) that the conclusions I reach through my study have real-world implications that affect people in real-world situations. This is the case when addressing the issue of women in leadership roles within the household, the church, and society. The conclusions may be valid and biblical, but that doesn’t mean that those conclusions won’t impact people and relationships. Therefore, when doing biblical and theological study, I need to be careful not only with how I study and what conclusions I come to but also need to be careful with how I deliver those conclusions.

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Book Review: On Earth As It Is in Heaven by C. Peter Wagner

On Earth As It Is In Heaven by C. Peter Wagner is a book I have wanted to read for some time. Wagner’s work has been maligned as well as triumphed by many. The term “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR) has been used chiefly by reformed cessationists as a pejorative against all charismatics (yeah, I’m looking at you, MacArthur), and Wagner seems to be the only one who has used it. The book has been highly influential in Charismatic circles, especially among the leadership of Bethel Church in Redding, California. So, I thought it would be good to familiarize myself with this work. With all respect to my charismatic brethren, this book is a mess of theological hot garbage. I will point out two theological problems with the book from an eschatological and ecclesiastical point of view and two heretical points, one implied and one expressly called out.

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In Christ: Discovering Our Spiritual Blessings

This week, we continue our look at the Apostle Paul with a sermon I presented in 2020 during the Pandemic. Covering Ephesians 1:1-14, I will take a deep dive into the theme of Election and Predestination from a Wesleyan perspective. I hold to a doctrine called Provisionism - that all humans are given the gift of salvation. Some take that gift, and many reject that gift.

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Embracing the Evangelical and Charismatic Paradigms: A Personal Testimony

In his book Streams of Living Water: Essential Practices from the Six Great Traditions of Christian Faith, Richard Foster reviews six traditional ways Christians have historically approached their faith. These six traditions are Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice, Evangelical, and Incarnational. Foster states, "In reality, these different Traditions describe various dimensions of the spiritual life. …

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