Category: Theological Thoughts

While the world derides pastors and specific evangelical ministries target pastors, and while pointing out particular examples of pastoral malpractice alleviate the Church from its blemishes, we should be doubly invested in observing the faithfulness and perseverance of the thousands of pastors who shepherd quietly but steadily; who cherish their sheep without expecting rewards or recognition; who visit hospital beds, who comfort grieving parents, who preach and administer the sacraments, who love their families, and who refuses to lord over their people because of their title or status.

Yes, we must observe the thousands of faithful men who use their training to feed the flock in word and deed, joy and sorrow. They may be in small/medium/large churches, but they are everywhere.

Do not allow the belittling of pastors and their work to take away the honor reserved for those who fight the good fight of faith and awaken each morning with a deep sense of their calling before God and man.

Here is an interview summarizing the life and work of James B. Jordan. This was three years ago and remains my best summary of Jim’s influence.

The Bible is a book of stories. Every story whispers his name. True enough. But then again, we should believe that every story shouts his name also. Christ is there in the defeat of fat Eglon when the sword pierces his body, revealing that he is a man of dung. That was no mere whisper. It was there when Jael drove a tent peg through Sisera’s skull. That was no mere whisper.

Examples like these could be multiplied with little ease. This is more than a whisper; it’s a hallelujah ringing loud and clear. Jesus is the defeater of fat and evil kings and drives tent pegs through the skulls of his enemies, fulfilling the promise of Genesis 3:15.

Far from shyness, Christians should rejoice at such raucous occasions through sacred scriptures. Wherever our Lord goes, he produces disciples unto life or disciples unto death. There is no neutrality. There is no whisper but a loud shout of praise for the Lord our God omnipotent reigneth over all his enemies (I Cor. 15:24-26).

All five talks are available on the New Saint Andrews’ YouTube page. My focus was on the Armor of God in Ephesians 6.

The practice of head-covering, belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary, iconography, and veneration of saints is befitting those traditions that claim centuries of adherence to the dogma. They form a liturgical unity of clothing and ritual.

These traditions do not believe in theological maturation but depend on established theological dogma in stated doctrine and practice. It makes sense in a world where history is meant to be the great mother. These practices form the fabric of Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

These practices, however, are not befitting Reformed Protestants who affirm theological maturation and growth in biblical theology and practice. While Calvin held to certain ideas which favored the perpetual virginity of Mary, for the Protestant, fidelity to Scripture gains from history but is not bound by it. We can easily claim that Calvin’s theological dispositions were erroneous on this front while praising a large portion of his theological corpus. The Reformed are especially not bound to the praxeology of history; instead, the Reformation builds on historical knowledge to a greater maturity.

We can affirm the dogma of creedal orthodoxy because it reflects the ultimate biblical creed. Nevertheless, we do not believe Church History’s practices or methods are fixed because God is maturing his body according to his Word.

The doctrine of “The Priesthood of All Believers” is one of the most abused by modern evangelicalism. It was never meant to be a case for individualized hermeneutical exercises or to undermine the Church’s authority. It meant that we were offerings unto God and others.

According to Luther and Calvin, this priesthood made God’s people responsible for one another in their living and interpretation. Thus, the priesthood of all believers meant that we were responsible for public edification in the Church.

It must be stressed that our goal is not well-behaved children but godly children. Godliness produces biblical joy and spontaneous smiles throughout life. There is a certain kind of well-behaved child that displays every sign of life but lacks a genuine interest in life. He says the right things, amens the Christian cliches and smiles at the mechanics of day-to-day interactions but expresses disdain for relationships and true holiness. Parents, don’t confuse both; cultivate “heart religion” by digging into your child’s emotions and imagination. Bring out in daily conversations the heart of the matter so that the matters of the heart can be discussed and engaged. Don’t assume that right answers and right posture produce biblical godliness. Child-rearing is a daily interruption into a child’s life to awaken him from his slumber.