gdp's Comments

Ron Edmondson : Friday Discussion: Should We Boycott the the New NIV Bible?

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:58:22 +0000

I have been SBC all my life but I generally think our denominational boycotts have done more harm than good. I won't boycott. I probably wouldn't have raised my ballot for a yes or no vote and would've just let that vote go by without adding my own vote. Having said that, I'd like to see uses of the gender neutral language that actually change the meaning in the NIV. If it is making anthropos "human" rather than "man" I'm okay with that (and actually welcome that). If it's saying "Parents, don't exasperate your children" when it should be "Fathers" or "God our Parent" rather than "God our Father" then that would be different. Any idea on the extent to which they have gone gender neutral? I use the HCSB for these reasons: http://nathancreitz.net/2011/05/26/hcsb-bible-tra...

ChurchETHOS : HCSB vs. ESV Update

Thu, 26 May 2011 19:06:45 +0000

Thanks for all of your comments on the HCSB. Please check out my new blog http://nathancreitz.net and read my most recent post about why I use the HCSB and hope that all English speakers will too. My recent post Bible Translations- Tools and Tech for the 21st Century- HCSB

ChurchETHOS : Why I Chose the HCSB over the ESV

Thu, 26 May 2011 19:06:03 +0000

ChurchETHOS : Reviews

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:33:08 +0000

Dale, I'll be happy to review the audio recording of the HCSB. I've been looking forward to having access to the HCSB in audio format so I'm glad you're working on it. I'll be in touch. My recent post Good Friday &gt Earth Day

ChurchETHOS : Why Can't We Just Ignore Tithing?

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:38:24 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts Pat. I do believe that when we are faithful to give joyfully and sacrificially, God blesses us and enables us to give even more. Not that He necessarily gives us a greater income, but He helps us to shift our priorities so that more of what we have been blessed with goes to others in need and to support the mission and ministry of the local church. My recent post Why Can’t We Just Ignore Tithing

ChurchETHOS : Why Can't We Just Ignore Tithing?

Tue, 8 Feb 2011 15:57:30 +0000

Great comment! I see you are anticipating where I'm going with all of this.

ChurchETHOS : Another Great HCSB Review

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:25:15 +0000

I am with you. It's great in a Bible study to have different translations. It really helps the text make sense.

I think your husbands take on the ESV is the most common objection that I hear. It's the same with the KJV. I just prefer a translation that is a bit more readable.�

Nathan

ChurchETHOS : Another Great HCSB Review

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:25:10 +0000

ChurchETHOS : Another Great HCSB Review

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:19:38 +0000

Thanks Robert, I'm glad you did the research and made the switch! My recent post Another Great HCSB Review

ChurchETHOS : Another Great HCSB Review

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:12:33 +0000

Ron, I understand the difficulty in changing Bible translations. It may not be worth it to everyone to do so but I encourage you to keep looking through it to see if it's worth it to you. If you do decide to change to the HCSB and lead your congregation to use it too, I'd love to hear your strategy to implement that change! Keep in touch! My recent post Another Great HCSB Review

ChurchETHOS : Another Great HCSB Review

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:36:06 +0000

Thanks Johnny. I'm glad you find it to be a good translation. I hope more people recognize the significance of how much value the HCSB has added to the modern translations. My recent post Another Great HCSB Review

Ron Edmondson : Friday Discussion: Internet Matchmaking

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:17:41 +0000

I have some friends who met online and aren't ashamed to talk about it. In urban settings in the Northeast I've found it to be pretty common. I suppose it's better than meeting someone in a bar and it seems that some of those sites encourage you to have enough biographic information so that when you do actually meet someone you have plenty to talk about. It's almost like a conversation starter. Anyway, I see no problem with people meeting online, it's really what they do once they meet that matters.

ChurchETHOS : Checklist Christianity vs. Following Jesus

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:04:14 +0000

Hey Kelly, Thanks for your comment. I hope we can all get to a point where we aren't trying to follow a legalistic checklist but simply follow Jesus with our lives. Some days that means reading and studying and spending extra time in God's Word. Other days we may just take one verse and meditate on it throughout the day. I think there's value to a consistent, daily habit (say, reading one chapter a day), but there are also times where that's not as important as simply allowing God's Spirit to guide our times with Him. Thanks again for your thoughts! My recent post Genesis One and the Framework Hypothesis- Part Two

ChurchETHOS : Genesis One and the Framework Hypothesis: Part One

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:42:57 +0000

Rick, you are exactly right. I think we have tried to make Genesis 1 a matter of science and fact. The fact in Genesis 1 is that God created the heavens and the earth. I personally think that the theory of evolution has a lot of explaining to do so I'm not basing my thoughts on recent scientific discovery. I'm basically saying what you are saying, that the point isn't to try and discover exactly how or when God created but that he did create and that it was "good"! Besides, there are some major problems with a young earth, literalist translation as well. My recent post Genesis One and the Framework Hypothesis- Part One

ChurchETHOS : One Month to a New Church Plant

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:36:52 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts. It is certainly through a work of the Spirit and following Jesus' lead. I appreciate your heart for making disciples...something we have in common!

Ron Edmondson : For the Pastor Who May Be Suffering From Burnout

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:20:47 +0000

Thanks for your post and your encouragement Ron. I'm not burnt out, but I know I'm lacking a few things in my life that will guard against it. I am planting a church in New England and, though we have a monthly CPN (church planter's network) I still haven't found a coach. I sense very little support from my denomination. For the past six months we have been short on our fundraising goals. We are slow in developing a team. There are a few other things as well, but the point is, it has been a huge test of faith, commitment, and vision to keep my eyes on the goal. I know we are walking the path God has laid out for us and most days I'm energized but the "wind and the waves" are ALWAYS blowing. To elaborate on a book title from John Ortberg, we've gotten out of the boat, but to walk on water, we've got to keep fixing our eyes on Jesus and not be dissuaded by the winds and the waves. Thanks again for your encouragement!

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Seinfeld vs. U-Haul & what's your craziest moving story?

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:27:27 +0000

Say no to u-haul! They never get it right!

Ron Edmondson : Should Pastors Perform Marriages for Couples Living Together?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:47:48 +0000

Maybe I misunderstood your point Drew. I thought I understood this post to be about sex before marriage. Isn't that what you mean by "living together". If it's not, and it's strictly platonic, I would still advocate the two to separate because of "the appearance of evil" and "flee sexual immorality". In other words, they are putting themselves in a position to stumble. No one is that strong to resist temptation when you are putting yourself in the middle of a situation that may cause you to fail. If we are talking about sex before marriage then I believe I did give you chapter and verse. Hebrews 13:4 talks about keeping the marriage bed pure. There doesn't need to be much explanation on that but I suppose I could also point to all the verses that talk about sexual immorality. What is sexual immorality in your understanding if not for sex outside of marriage? Again, let me reiterate. I believe these things can be handled with love and compassion. Jesus looked at the woman caught in adultery and forgave her and said, "Go and sin no more." You referred to John 4 and the Samaritan woman. We don't know the whole story. All we know is that Jesus was aware of her relationship status but wanted to offer her living water (Himself). She believed and became a witness of Jesus as the Messiah and many in her town believed. After the story in John 4 did she go back to things as normal? We have no idea and therefore can't use this text to reinforce an idea that we shouldn't confront sin. I have a hunch that she repented of her sin and sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. But that's just a hunch. So, I'm not sure how much more you need to be convinced, but it is clear that sexual immorality (ie - sex outside of marriage) is sin, that the sexually immoral will not inherit the kingdom of heaven, that we ought to flee sexual immorality, that the marriage bed should be undefiled, and that it is God's will for our sanctification that we abstain from sexual immorality. We also know that we should reach out in gentleness and respect, love and mercy remembering that at one point we were all dead in our sins. I'm not being judgmental, I'm sharing the truth in love. Confronting an obvious sin is not being judgmental it's being used by God to bring reconciliation and peace to that person. It is in the couple's best interests for their future marriage and their relationship with God to be reconciled to Him as most important. It is unloving not to confront sin but confrontation must be done in love. If I'm still misunderstanding something, please let me know.

Ron Edmondson : Should Pastors Perform Marriages for Couples Living Together?

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:15:16 +0000

There is ALWAYS a way to confront sin and do it in a loving way. Besides, just a quick look at the social evidence indicates that you are doing this couple a disservice by not encouraging them to save sex for marriage. Consider the following: Michael McManus from his book Living Together: Myths, Risks, and Answers “More than eight out of ten couples who live together will break up either before the wedding or afterwards in divorce.” The president and founder of The Medical Institute for Sexual Health said, "After five years, only 10 percent of cohabiting couples are still together." - In other words, the shelf life for 90% of cohabiting couples is 5 years. Hebrews 13:4 says, "Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers." The wedding doesn't have to take place in a church building with a steeple and have a song, a reading, a lighting of candles, etc but before God and witnesses, marriage must be respected and the marriage bed must be pure...that's God's plan for marriage. When Jesus teaches about adultery, he says, "You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Jesus raised the bar on their understanding of "adultery". It sounds like you're trying to lower it. Jesus often gave the hard answers but he did so in a loving way. When the rich young ruler decided not to follow Jesus, he still looked at him with compassion. We have to firmly, but gently, share God's ideals for marriage, love, and the church and work with people where they are. We present the Truth in love. They decide if they will follow Jesus or not. The rich young ruler turned away because Jesus asked too much of him. This couple may turn away but they may also respect your stand for Truth and your desire to show them compassion in such an important decision of their lives. God bless you as you wrestle with this issue.

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : Win a free iPad from Charlie St. Cloud.

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:04:47 +0000

Thanks Charlie St. Cloud.