Tag Archives: Paul

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 51: Paul on Trial

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 51: Paul on Trial

This entry is part 51 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 51: Paul on Trial Weekly memory verse: Revelation 20:12 – “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 49: Paul Begins His Final Missionary Journey

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 49: Paul Begins His Final Missionary Journey

This entry is part 49 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 49: Paul Begins His Final Missionary Journey Weekly memory verse: Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess… Continue Reading

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 47: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles

Bible Narratives Devotional, Week 47: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles

This entry is part 47 of 52 in the series Bible Narratives Devotional You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Week 47: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles Weekly memory verse: Romans 10:12 – “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.” Weekly hymn: “How Sweet and Awful Is the Place” (free download) Weekly catechism: Where is… Continue Reading

Paul the Cultural Conservative

Paul the Cultural Conservative

One of the most difficult passages of Paul’s writings to interpret is 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. In this passage, Paul commands Christian women who are praying or prophesying to cover their heads. At almost every turn, interpretative issues arise. Part of the problem is that we have very little understanding of cultural practices of the time that… Continue Reading

All Things to All Men | Part 4: What the Passage Means (vv21-22)

All Things to All Men | Part 4: What the Passage Means (vv21-22)

This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series All Things to All Men You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

I am writing a series of posts on the meaning of 1 Cor 9:19-23, in particular his comment in verse 22, “I have become all things to all people.” The first post in the series looked at the broader context in chapters 8 and 9. Then I explored some interpretative principles in Paul’s greater writings that… Continue Reading

All Things to All Men | Part 3: What the Passage Means (vv19-20)

All Things to All Men | Part 3: What the Passage Means (vv19-20)

This entry is part 3 of 6 in the series All Things to All Men You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

In 1 Cor 9:22, Paul writes, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” This is series on the meaning of 1 Cor 9:19-23, and those words in particular. In the first post, I introduced the problematic way many evangelicals and missiologists interpret this passage. Many understand this… Continue Reading

Relevance is Irrelevant (Conclusion)

Relevance is Irrelevant (Conclusion)

This entry is part 14 of 14 in the series Relevance is Irrelevant You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 This series has been intended to address biblically the necessity of so-called relevant ministry. I have deliberately avoided articulating “dividing lines” of what is necessarily “relevant methods” and what is not. In fact, I do not believe such lines would… Continue Reading

Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 13)

Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 13)

This entry is part 13 of 14 in the series Relevance is Irrelevant You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 I have been arguing that Paul’s method of ministry deliberately avoided attempts to be (what we would call) relevant. Paul not only says that he himself avoided relevant methods, but compels his successors to do the same. His manner of ministry… Continue Reading

Prayer in Gospel Ministry

Prayer in Gospel Ministry

Prayer is a necessary practice of a sound church. The role of secret and corporate prayer in the life of a Christian congregation is sometimes overlooked. Mark Dever, whose insights we value, fails to list to prayer as one of his “marks” of “healthy churches.” (Dever concedes this point and briefly addresses it in his… Continue Reading

Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 5)

Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 5)

This entry is part 5 of 14 in the series Relevance is Irrelevant You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 This series is applying the words of Paul in the early chapters of 1 Corinthians to ministry in the 21st century. In part 1, we looked especially at Paul’s argument in 1 Cor 1:17, that when men rest on a particular manner of ministry other than the proclamation of… Continue Reading

Relevance is irrelevant (Part 2)

Relevance is irrelevant (Part 2)

This entry is part 2 of 14 in the series Relevance is Irrelevant You can read more posts from the series by using the Contents in the right sidebar.

Part 1 In emphasizing the unity of the church in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul asks the church pointedly: “is Christ divided?” (v 13). With their divisions, the Corinthian church was pulling away from Christ, the one who unites his church. This led Paul to explain that in his own ministry he took pains to emphasize… Continue Reading

Contextualizing the Gospel – Full Series

Contextualizing the Gospel – Full Series

This series is available in booklet format. Audio versions: Biblical Contextualization The First Principles of the Gospel Responsibility and Sovereignty in Evangelism The Power of the Gospel Introduction Audio Version There is a popular thought today in evangelicalism that says that if we as Christians are going to reach unbelievers around us, we need to… Continue Reading

Contextualizing the Gospel, Part 1 – Introduction

Contextualizing the Gospel, Part 1 – Introduction

There is a popular thought today in evangelicalism that says that if we as Christians are going to reach unbelievers around us, we need to be more tuned into contemporary culture. If we want people to accept our gospel message, they say, then we need to present the gospel by packaging it in the language… Continue Reading