Wells and the Wasteland 1

by | Dec 10, 2006 | Bookreviews, Ecclesiology, Education, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Seeker-Sensitive, Theological Education

In my quiet time, I begin by reading from a book that will stimulate my mind and heart about sanctification or practical life in the church. Recently I have begun reading God in the Wasteland by David F. Wells. I want to share a few excerpts from his book that I noted during my fifteen minute-a-day reading time. On the current reactions against formal theological training: Noting the how the early colonial American trends in the mainline schools were producing polished institutions, there was a strong reactions against them. “This ambitious drive [among the intellectual schools of colonial America] produces some savage anti-clericalism but also because the insurgent leaders were “Ëintent on destroying the monopoly of classically educated and university trained clergymen.’ Their sermons were colloquial, “Ëemploying daring pulpit storytelling, no-holds-barred appeals, overt humor, strident attacks, graphic application, and intimate personal experience.’ The point of it all was to engage the audience. Charles Finney despised sermons that were formally delivered on the grounds that they put content ahead of communication, and, although both he and Dwight L. Moody had their own theologies, they both vigorously opposed “Ëthe formal study of divinity'” (65). “‘As the common man rose in power n the early republic,’ says Hatch, “Ëthe inevitable consequence was the displacement from power of the uncommon man, the man of ideas.’ Never again, he adds would America produce people of the caliber of Adams, Jefferson, and Madison in the realm of politics or of Jonathan Edwards in the realm of theology” (67). In light of some of what we have seen in the modern Seeker Sensitive and Emergent Church...

The Evils of PowerPoint!

by | Aug 22, 2006 | Education, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching

Jesus Creed » PowerPointing in Class: Not! Can Scot McKnight be respected?  He refuses to use Power Point and even thinks it is detrimental?  Has he lost his mind?  How can anyone take this guy seriously now. I loved reading this.  I would much rather waste my time with technology in blogging than putting together PP presentations.  Then again, I’m sure I will never be effective in reaching this generation or the next with merely the spoken word from a lone individual standing behind a podium.  Preach...

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...