College & Seminary – They are Different

by | Aug 18, 2006 | Education

Jesus Creed » Teaching Seminary, Teaching College I’m on my way in five minutes to meet with two men who are planning to go to a Christian college and pursue ministry training.  After my 10 1/2 years of college and seminary education, I enjoyed reading Scot McKnight’s points of difference between college and seminary students. One question and one difference seem to be apparent.  The difference seems to be “maturity.”  The question – do older college students (I mean those in their mid to upper 20s and higher)  display a more “seminary” mindset than the younger, fresh-out-of-high-school college students?  In other words, if the major difference simply mental and practical...

A Modern Day Blank Bible

by | Aug 17, 2006 | Jonathan Edwards

The Shepherd’s Scrapbook » Blog Archive » Building a Blank Bible (part 3): The Blank Bible O.K., the brother who made his own Blank Bible had much more drive than me in producing his own “Blank Bible.”  I may even take up his suggestions on producing one.  I’m thankful he has gone to all the trouble to think this thing through. Yet, my computer has become a more versitile note-taking format.  With most Bible programs, one can associate electronic notes with a verse or passage.  Perhaps my Bible Works or Logos programs would prove a more adequate, accessible and now searchable “E-Blank Bible.  Hmm.  Now there is a thought worth...

More Non-Dispensational, Literal Israel Stuff

by | Aug 17, 2006 | Eschatology

Jesus Creed » Israel’s privilege Just a quick personal reflection here.  I am thankful that Scot McKnight is publishing some material from N.T. Wright on Romans 9-11.  I’ve enjoyed the brief notes.  The comment thread has been interesting also.  I am currently preaching in the book of Romans and just this morning finished reading, in my quiet time, Romans 11.  There remains no doubt in my mind that a divine plan for the salvation of a political, national Israel (not merely a spiritualized Israel subsumed by the church) is yet to come. Having said that, I don’t necessarily think that the current nation of Israel in its present state is the nation that will inherit the promises.  They are a very secular nation and have no inclination to embrace Jesus as the Messiah – much like Paul describes in Romans 9-11.  Yet, I don’t think it is inconsequential either that the nation of Israel exists and the conflict is what it is and for the reasons that conflict exists. Who knows what the future may hold for the present nation of Israel or the entire Middle Eastern political make-up.  I still consider myself to be dispensational in my understanding of Israel and the church.  Yet, I don’t subscribe to the notion that we should financially and militarily support Israel because the land belongs to them biblically.  Actually, from what I read in Jeremiah 31 (the whole chapter), Israel has no right to the land until their heart is right.  My interpretation of the Bible leads me to conclude that their heart will not belong exclusively to the Lord until...

Mark Driscoll on Preaching

by | Aug 17, 2006 | Pastoral Ministry, Preaching

Reflections on Preaching | TheResurgence Mark has some good comments on his personal approach to preaching.  I would wish he would give more specifics about his study time and means of preparation – he keeps it mostly ethereal and general.  However, his comments are worth a quick...