Theology and Slavery is definitely a scholarly read, not for the faint of heart when it comes to footnotes, detail, and deep, deep background information. Having given that warning, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Being from the South, I am always intrigued to learn more about the role of slavery – then and now – in shaping the culture. Slavery of course is an evil part of the history of the United States – but it is history nonetheless and should not be forgotten.
This book combines two of my favorite things: history and theology. The author David Torbett seeks to highlight two prevailing views on slavery during the time of the Civil War, and he uses the two most outstanding American theologians of that period to do so.
Charles Hodge was the conservative, traditional theologian with an inerrant, inspired view of God’s Word as the ultimate source of spiritual and moral authority. Horace Bushnell, who has been called the father of modern liberalism, was the liberal theologian who looked to inject new insights and sources of inspiration into his spiritual journey. Both were pastors and had very influential voices in antebellum America.
The importance of the church and her leaders to shape the culture is imminently evident in these books, as Hodge and Bushnell drove the contemporary thought of their day on the issue of slavery in America. Eventually, their ideas would help lead to it’s demise.
If you are looking for a book that explains the complex, intricate problem of slavery in America (and particularly the South) using theology as a base of discussion, this book is a great resource.
If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.
Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson’s point is obviously that the shorter amount of time you are allotted, the more pointed and practiced you must be. You have one shot to influence the audience; make it good.
This caused me to think: what about Sunday sermons, Sunday School/Small Group lessons, and the like?
There is no more important task than communicating God’s Word.
And as church leaders, we have a limited time each week to do that. I hope that we place the same amount of importance on preparation that Wilson did for his 10 minute speeches.
His speeches involved important subjects; ours involve eternal ones.
The recent tragedy in Connecticut is unthinkable. Yet we must think about it. In fact, I believe we owe it to the children and others that perished to think about it. Many questions have been asked in the hours since the shooting, most of them around the issue of gun control.
As a Christian, I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. The Bible says that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). It is not the government, not the school system, not individuals. The government has no mandate to create truth, only defend it. The church and it’s leaders are the ones who shine the light of truth, morals, and righteousness into a culture. Without the church in a community, the truth has no foundation and it will cease to be heard.
That’s why your church is so important.
As a church planter, my heart is heavy. I see this tragedy as the ultimate example of exactly why we need the church: the presence of evil.
Evil will be with us in this world. It is the church’s job to stem that tide of evil and preach forgiveness in the Gospel of Christ. This tragedy seems like a failure of our ability to do that. But Jesus told us that His church will be victorious in the end.
If anything, this tragedy is a reminder to Christians that we carry the gospel light, and the church is the hope for Connecticut.
I was reading in the book of 2 Thessalonians recently, and I was struck by a particular subject in Paul’s writing. Mainly, I was impressed at how straight forward he discussed the subject with the believers in the church.
The subject is eschatology, or “end time” prophecy. In Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul begins discussing in great detail and passion the time of the anti-Christ and his defeat when Jesus returns at the 2nd Coming. To close chapter 2, and continuing in chapter 3, Paul the addresses the church with his normal encouragement and benediction.
The point is this: Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, thought it completely normal to discuss difficult end times doctrine with believers. It was a normal, common thing for New Testament Christians to discuss end time events.
My perception is that many churches today are ignoring the importance of teaching this important subject, filling the time instead with perceived “practical” sermons.
There is nothing more practical than remembering the eternal hope we have that Christ is ultimately victorious for us at the end of the age.
If your church hasn’t had a message on prophecy or the end times in the last 12 months, I humbly submit that you think of including it very soon.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Colossians 4:5
I was struck with this verse and the urgency from which it emanates. God urges us to redeem the time that we have to share Christ with others. To redeem means to “buy up”, and this caused me to think of two examples: the stock market and Christmas shopping.
If stocks are selling low, it is urgent that you buy them up now, quickly, before the opportunity is gone. And if the store is having a huge Christmas sale, you better go stand in line and be the first one there – it’s urgent that you do so and the time will soon pass to buy everything up.
Do we have this same urgency for redeeming souls from hell?
This passage was convicting and moving for me. I hope it is for you.
Our team created the business cards below to promote our church plant’s small group ministry. They are full color, very attractive, and at least invite a cursory reading.
In the blank space on the back, a church member can write their name and cell phone number.
It’s very much like billboard advertisement that you can carry in your pocket.
Has your church done anything similar? Has it been effective?
Greatness is not related to your bank account, your IQ, your family dynamics, your position, your SAT score, your abilities, your giftedness, your temperment, your achievements, or your location.
Greatness is directly proportional to your closeness with God.
And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. Exodus 11:3-4
When starting a new ministry, unknown is the norm. What should I call it? Does it need a name? Does it need a logo? Who will it impact? Who will serve with me? Am I qualified for this? Am I sure this is God’s will?
However, in the midst of all the questions, there is comfort, or rather, the Comforter. And there is a certain comfort in following the Lord without knowing the full story. And that’s just it – we are following HIM, so the path will be straight. It may be bumpy, but it will end up in a good place.
Exodus 10:26: “….and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither”
In this passage, the children of Israel were about to depart from Egypt, and Moses admits to Pharaoh that he needed all of their cattle to go with them. Why? Well, he wasn’t exactly sure, but he knew he was going to need them. He did not have all the answers, but he knew he was obeying the Lord through his actions.
I think that’s the key. Obey the Lord in what you know, and allow Him to put the unknown pieces together.
I’ve posted about excellence before on this blog. I recently spoke about excellence to a group of students at Baptist Bible College Asia in Manila, challenging them to achieve excellence in their work. But what is excellence? How can you define it? Sure, you can look in the dictionary (modern translation: google it), and it will say things like “superb, extraordinary, special”. But what is the magic of excellence? A lot of people know what excellence is, but not many people achieve it. I think it largely boils down to this:
The real work of excellence is actually doing what others only talk about.
Plenty of people have good ideas. But the reality of bringing those ideas to fruition takes time. This investment of time, for most, is too much. Thomas Edison said it best with his “99% perspiration” quote.
My wife and I are independent Baptist missionaries, and so we had the task of raising our own support for our ministry. We traveled. A lot. Airports, train stations, interstates, and back roads were our life for 18 months. Did I mention we had a newborn in tow?
Needless to say, it was a rewarding albeit admittedly grueling time. And while driving down the road for hours at a time, there was one sign that brought joy to our entire family: “Rest Area 2 Miles”.
Ah, the rest area. Food and facilities, grass and trees. Despite being government run it was quite the welcome site. We knew at the rest area we could retool, reboot, refuel, and relax. The rest area provided a mental release – in the present and in the future. Not only did we enjoy it while we were taking a break, we enjoyed the thought of the next rest area while driving. In short, it gave us hope to continue.
I take a day off every Friday. Or at least I make a solid effort. (Anyone in ministry knows you can’t plan for certain things). Friday is a time that I and my family look forward too, to be, you know….a family. It is a time to rest together; breathe together; laugh together; dream together.
As my good friend Ben reminded me the other day, some people in ministry take the view that “Satan doesn’t take a day off so neither can I.” Well my friend, you model your life after the devils pattern if you want. Let me know how that works out. I try to model mine after my Father and His Son. The former took a day off (and noted it specifically) and the latter often rested to recharge.
On Fridays, we exhale. And I think that’s how God intended it.
