Aug 4, 2006 | Deacons, Ecclesiology
1 Timothy 3:8-13 The final New Testament passage directly addressing the role and function of deacons is found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The context of the passage lists the office of deacon along with the office of overseers. As Fee notes, “To designate these men as deacons as over against overseers does not imply that they were not “Ëleaders’ as well.”[1] The overarching emphasis of 1 Timothy 3 is the qualifications needed for those who should serve as overseers and deacons. The qualities are character based rather than functional.[2] These qualifications bear directly upon the subject of the basis of a church’s selection of their leaders. In this article, I will not review all of the details regarding the qualifications of a deacon. Others have done that very well (cf. MacArthur’s commentary on 1 Timothy 3 for a good overview). However, I will pursue specific treatment of two specific issues brought up in the passage, namely, the testing of deacons in verse ten and the subject of “wives/women” in verse 11. Verse ten, as translated in the New American Standard Bible, states, “And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.” Of note is the fact that Paul indicates that deacons are to be tested “also.” Clearly by including the “also” Paul had in mind another group who was tested in addition to the deacons. In the context, this no doubt refers to the overseers mentioned in verses one through seven. Therefore, there is to be a period or manner of testing the character of those who desire to serve... read more
Jul 13, 2006 | Ecclesiology
Between Two Worlds: 50 Most Influential Churches in the US Who knows the criteria for what determines “influence” in this list. This may be more of a “50 Most Popular Personalities in American Christianity” list. Read the list and see what you... read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues
Conventional Thinking : Baptist Colleges and Baptist Churches Who Threatens Whom? My DMin project has to do with Baptist Colleges – interesting read. read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Southern Baptist Issues
m o r r i s c h a p m a n . c o m Morris Chapman, the Executive Director of the SBC, poses some probing questions. Could he also be frustrated with the cronyism of the past number of... read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Ecclesiology
paleoevangelical: Purpose Driven Synagogue Update: Rick Warren’s New Liberalism? Go figure. read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Blogging, Ecclesiology, General Theology
The Kettering Fellowship Here is a new blog I will be following. Michael Smith, one of the contributors, is a dear brother and has become a good friend. He and I will be finishing our final Doctor of Ministry seminary today. I look forward to his future contributioins to the blogosphere – meaning, YOU HAVE TO POST SOMETHING,... read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Ecclesiology
Conventional Thinking : The Unavoidable Issue Ecclesiology Amen! read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Southern Baptist Issues
Why I’m a Southern Baptist – Dever Mark Dever responds. read more
Jun 30, 2006 | General Theology
Yep, That’s One Big Cross – purgatorio Yes, this is just outside Amarillo, where I was born and raised. In my estimation it is quite an appropriate reflection of the spiritual state of the area. Externally, big cross – but internally, now that’s a very different... read more
Jun 30, 2006 | Southern Baptist Issues
A Kinder, Gentler Conservatism – Christianity Today Magazine Has a new day dawned in SBC politics? And will the supposed non-theological changes begin a new drift away from the importance of theology? My brief take: How important was the Southern Baptist conservative resurgeance? My guess is that if the men who led the Convention as they have for the past twenty-five years had not lead as they have, I would not be writing to you from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lousiville, KY. In fact, I would not be involved to any degree with the Convention. Their service has been necessary, despite the political fall out and obvious cronyism. However, from my own limited vantage point, the SBC leadership was not headed in a healthy direction. My thoughts are mostly subjective, yet, it appeared to me that the up and coming proposed leaders have less theological depth, less biblical commitment and less substance biblically and spiritually speaking. Their preaching ministries have been more reflective of the age of pragmatism than commitments to expository preaching and grounding their people in a biblical pattern of approaching life and ministry. This is not to say that the new leader of our Convention will be much different. How he intends to broaden the participation is excitingly frightening [can I say that – yep, it’s my blog]. I can’t help but believe that theology will be less important in his approach to appointments. That is the frightening thing. Perhaps his appointments will include some fresh voices who have strong convictions, but because they did not run in the right political circles, have been... read more
Jun 28, 2006 | Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry
for his renown » The Greatest Danger Facing the Church Jim Hamilton, professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Semianry in Houston, Texas, always puts out worthwhile material. Here is an excellent call for pastors to think... read more
Jun 24, 2006 | General Theology
Pyromaniacs: Is Romans 7 the normal Christian life? For Jaron and Paul – thinking of you two. read more
Jun 24, 2006 | Deacons, Ecclesiology
Philippians 1:1 Objections and Answers Outside of 1 Timothy 3, Philippians 1:1 is the only passage in the New Testament that specifically mentions an official group known as “deacons.” MacArthur takes issues with the view that the office or position of “deacons” is spoken of in this passage, stating: The word here could refer to officers in the church, but the context does not seem to warrant such an interpretation. . . . The most natural interpretation of this verse is that Paul was addressing his letter to the whole church. . . . including the leadership and those who serve. To say that Philippians 1:1 refers to the office of deacons might be correct, but it is an arbitrary choice. There is not enough evidence to be dogmatic about what Paul is saying.[1] It is true that Paul is addressing his letter to the entire church in the city of Philippi. Paul states, “to all the saints in Christ Jesus, those who are in Philippi . . .”[2] It is further agreed that the following phrase, “with the overseers and deacons,” is not viewed as those outside the church but within. However, this writer finds several reasons why “overseers and deacons” both refer to official leadership positions within the church in Philippi. First, the term translated “overseer” is used three other times in the New Testament to refer to those within the church who were official leaders (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1, 2; Titus 1:7). In one of these passages (Titus 1:5-7) these leaders are also called by the synonymous term “elder.”[3] Elders and overseers, in the sense... read more
Jun 24, 2006 | Catholicism
Here’s one for the files. Triablogue: Was The Papacy Established By Christ? (Part 1) Part... read more
