Comments for Talk With the Preacher http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com Conversations from Downtown DC's Calvary Baptist Church Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:06:30 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Reading the Bible: Some Thoughts by Greg http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/reading-the-bible-some-thoughts/#comment-1583 Greg Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:06:30 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1092#comment-1583 It is not "reading" the Bible that is difficult, but understanding it. Recommending that one consult good commentary, or reputable website sounds like OK advice until you start to ask what constitutes "good," or "reputable." One person selects a commentary on the Bible that is Calvinist in outlook, another selects one with an Arminian perspective, and yet another option is a commentary by Open Theists. Which one is the “reputable” one? Or… perhaps we have a Bible study and everybody brings their references. In the room we have commentaries from Lutheran, Reformed, Wesleyan, and Pentecostal publishers. Do we doubt that each one will have a different take on what the Bible means? Which one is the "good" one? It is not “reading” the Bible that is difficult, but understanding it. Recommending that one consult good commentary, or reputable website sounds like OK advice until you start to ask what constitutes “good,” or “reputable.”

One person selects a commentary on the Bible that is Calvinist in outlook, another selects one with an Arminian perspective, and yet another option is a commentary by Open Theists.

Which one is the “reputable” one?

Or… perhaps we have a Bible study and everybody brings their references. In the room we have commentaries from Lutheran, Reformed, Wesleyan, and Pentecostal publishers.

Do we doubt that each one will have a different take on what the Bible means? Which one is the “good” one?

]]> Comment on Opinion: The Pastor Goes to the Movies by Courtney http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/opinion-the-pastor-goes-to-the-movies/#comment-1581 Courtney Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:07:28 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1114#comment-1581 Rachel and I are debating whether to see this or Precious tonight, preferably whichever will be (marginally) less depressing. Given your comments, I'm leaning towards Precious... Thoughts? Rachel and I are debating whether to see this or Precious tonight, preferably whichever will be (marginally) less depressing. Given your comments, I’m leaning towards Precious… Thoughts?

]]> Comment on Opinion: The Pastor Goes to the Movies by J. Travis Moger http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/opinion-the-pastor-goes-to-the-movies/#comment-1580 J. Travis Moger Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:01:50 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1114#comment-1580 Well written and thought provoking as always. I almost went to see the film this week when I was in DC. Thank for saving me the trouble and the $10. Well written and thought provoking as always. I almost went to see the film this week when I was in DC. Thank for saving me the trouble and the $10.

]]> Comment on The Dog Ate My Homework by pastoramy http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-dog-ate-my-homework/#comment-1579 pastoramy Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:08:53 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1111#comment-1579 Gosh, we (preachers) have all been there. My mentor pastor used to say, "Amy, you've always got to be ready to preach, pray or die." Glad you could skirted the later and were successful with the first. Gosh, we (preachers) have all been there. My mentor pastor used to say, “Amy, you’ve always got to be ready to preach, pray or die.” Glad you could skirted the later and were successful with the first.

]]> Comment on The Dog Ate My Homework by Chuck http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-dog-ate-my-homework/#comment-1578 Chuck Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:19:43 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1111#comment-1578 I'm also in the camp of thinking that sermon was excellent. Maybe I just like Jezebel. Anyway, you're always so well-prepared. I'll bet if you converted your sermon to bullet points and preached from those you'd be just fine. In fact, you'd never have to worry about losing your place! I’m also in the camp of thinking that sermon was excellent. Maybe I just like Jezebel. Anyway, you’re always so well-prepared. I’ll bet if you converted your sermon to bullet points and preached from those you’d be just fine. In fact, you’d never have to worry about losing your place!

]]> Comment on The Dog Ate My Homework by Michelle http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-dog-ate-my-homework/#comment-1577 Michelle Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:20:17 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1111#comment-1577 Yesterday's sermon? About Jezebel? REALLY?! That was one of your most thought-provoking and awe-inspiring sermons. Yesterday’s sermon? About Jezebel? REALLY?! That was one of your most thought-provoking and awe-inspiring sermons.

]]> Comment on The Dog Ate My Homework by Amydale http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-dog-ate-my-homework/#comment-1576 Amydale Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:09:47 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1111#comment-1576 I distinctly remember that day, Amy, and the sermon was amazing! I distinctly remember that day, Amy, and the sermon was amazing!

]]> Comment on The Dog Ate My Homework by J. Travis Moger http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/2009/11/09/the-dog-ate-my-homework/#comment-1575 J. Travis Moger Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:15:42 +0000 http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/?p=1111#comment-1575 I have two great fears: heights (or falling from heights to be more precise) and stepping into the pulpit only to realize that I don’t have my sermon with me. The latter actually has been a recurring nightmare that, thankfully, has become less frequent the longer I’ve been out of every-Sunday pulpit ministry. Still, just reading your post gave me the heebie-jeebies. Despite all the spiritual lessons, I think I’d rather climb to the top of the bell tower and hang out backwards. I have two great fears: heights (or falling from heights to be more precise) and stepping into the pulpit only to realize that I don’t have my sermon with me. The latter actually has been a recurring nightmare that, thankfully, has become less frequent the longer I’ve been out of every-Sunday pulpit ministry. Still, just reading your post gave me the heebie-jeebies. Despite all the spiritual lessons, I think I’d rather climb to the top of the bell tower and hang out backwards.

]]> Comment on About Amy by Todd http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/about/#comment-1572 Todd Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:10:39 +0000 #comment-1572 Hey Girl. Your writing is awesome. I LOVED the church mouse greeting you! I bet they weren't the only one's glad to see you back. Maybe Paul planted the mouse so you'd remember how important he is?? But who could forget that. Glad to see you are writing. Hey Girl. Your writing is awesome. I LOVED the church mouse greeting you! I bet they weren’t the only one’s glad to see you back. Maybe Paul planted the mouse so you’d remember how important he is?? But who could forget that. Glad to see you are writing.

]]> Comment on About Amy by Mitch Carnell http://talkwiththepreacher.wordpress.com/about/#comment-1571 Mitch Carnell Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:52:29 +0000 #comment-1571 I enjoy your articles. Take a look at the book I compiled with leaders from other denominations, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World, at http://helwys.com. Click on new books. It looks ideal for your mission. I enjoy your articles. Take a look at the book I compiled with leaders from other denominations, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World, at http://helwys.com. Click on new books. It looks ideal for your mission.

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