1. Controversy is unavoidable for the person who seeks to be faithful to the Lord’s calling. Spurgeon wrote, “Controversy is never a very happy element for the child of God. . . . But the soldier of Christ knows no choice in his Master’s commands…” Jesus counseled His disciples that because the world hated Him, the world would hate them as well. Even the most effective leader will encounter controversy along the way.
2. A leader … [Read More]
Spurgeon on Leadership (11): Seven Lessons on Criticism and Conflict
God’s Desire for the Nations: The Missionary Theology of John Piper
John Piper is the foremost evangelical catalyst for world missions, and Philip Hopkins is the foremost interpreter of Piper’s theology of missions. The convergence of these two facts makes Hopkins’ recent book, God’s Desire for the Nations: The Missionary Theology of John Piper (Gonzalez, FL: Energion, 2010) significant for pastors, missionaries, professors, and students who seek to do missions for the glory of God.
In the book, Hopkins demonstrates the inner coherence of Piper’s thought by … [Read More]
Matt Capps on Building Missional Churches
Matt Capps posted an interesting blog today, “Is Your Church Missional?” in which he argues that our American churches should take a cue from international missionaries by placing value on the study of their own social and cultural contexts, thereby learning how to engage those contexts effectively with the gospel. In so doing, we will learn to communicate the gospel in a way that is faithful to Scripture and meaningful within a particular cultural context. … [Read More]
Spurgeon on Leadership (10): Nine Lessons on Compassion
1. Effective leaders balance “strong convictions” with a loving spirit. Although he was tough in personal discipline, Spurgeon was sensitive when it came to his pastoral role with people. He wrote, “With all his maturity and firmness, the spiritual father is full of tenderness, and manifests an intense love for the souls of men.”
2. A leader who is committed to providing leadership that will include the best qualities of Christianity will demonstrate sensitive compassion in … [Read More]
Theology & Culture (2): Alternative Views
Over the course of my 36 year life, I’ve embraced several markedly different views of the relationship between Christianity and culture. In fact, I switched views more often than Madonna® and Prince® change public profiles. Early on, I was a cultural anorexic which soon gave way to a reaction that was something like cultural gluttony, which has now given way to what I hope is a view more resonant with the teaching of Christian Scripture.
The … [Read More]
The Gospel-Centered Life
I had a great time this past weekend speaking at the “Gospel Centered Life” Conference, hosted by Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and their pastor, Tullian Tchividjian. Tullian spoke on the Gospel and how it changes the individual. Michael Horton spoke on the Gospel and the Church. My assignment was to speak about the Gospel going out to culture.
I learned as much from this conference as any other I’d ever been to, and I would highly … [Read More]
Spurgeon on Leadership (9): Nine Lessons on Creativity
1. A creative God calls creative leaders to exercise creativity in their work for His kingdom. Spurgeon believed fully in infinite possibilities and used all of his creative energies to communicate the gospel.
2. The message of the gospel does not change, but the manner of its presentation may be adapted according to the situation. Spurgeon said, “I am not very scrupulous about the means I use for doing good. I would preach standing on my … [Read More]
Theology & Culture (1): Introduction
In 1998, at the age of 24, I left the United States for the first time and moved to a predominantly Muslim republic in the former Soviet Union. I had never traveled further west than San Antonio, further north than the tip of Maine, further east than Nags Head (NC), or further south than Miami. Can you imagine what a never-ending carnival of cultural wedgies the next two years were for me?
The first week in … [Read More]
Spurgeon on Leadership (8): Nine Lessons on Commitment and the Family
1. The leader who prioritizes a commitment to his family honors the God whom he serves. Spurgeon gave great attention and devotion to his family, as evidenced by their testimonies in his Autobiography. His wife and sons grew to love and serve the Lord under his influence.
2. A godly heritage is great gain for the Christian leader. Spurgeon was blessed to have been born into and reared by a family that instilled in him Christian … [Read More]
SEBTS Alumnus Paul A re: Local Church and Mission
SEBTS alumnus Paul A is blogging at B21 these days, we at BtT wanted to point our readers to his recent blog on local church and mission. Paul and Kari and their children recently returned from serving several years in a predominantly Muslim context. Currently, Paul is on staff with David Platt and The Church at Brook Hills. Paul’s post is the first of a two part series. To access the post, click here.
