“The congeniality of the Spirit affects the preacher at the point of proclamation and the hearer at the point of reception. It is not argument, nor logic, nor eloquence that eventually wins the day” (Sargent, The Sacred Anointing, p. 235).
The Groove of Ashtaroth
A few days ago I noted that when Jesus compares false teaching to leaven, He is requiring His ministers to exhibit high levels of discernment (Matt. 16:6). Earlier in Matthew, He had told us to guard against wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15) — an image that certainly requires vigilance and courage, but not quite …
And What A Peaceful World It Would Be . . .
[Discussing 1 Tim. 2:8-15] “These men should be men who have refrained from the characteristic male sins of anger and quarreling. The hands that are lifted up to the Lord should not be hands that have struck another in ungodly anger . . . When Paul says ‘likewise,’ he is not comparing the sins themselves, …
The Spirit Works from Beginning to End
“If the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures, it is reasonable to assume that his help will be required in growing into an understanding of them and in applying them to the immediate, contemporary situation” (Sargent, The Sacred Anointing, p. 232).
My Own Personal Esperanto
Some time ago, I put up a video commerical for my daughter’s Amoretti dress line. The music for that video was performed by my very capable niece, Michalangela Wilson, and I think I said that when it was available on iTunes I would let somebody know about it. But as thy servant was busy here …
Swmming Against the Tide, Then and Now
“It is very easy for objectors to say that the reason Christian women were not allowed to become religious ministers back in the ‘olden time’ was because the position of women in society back then would have made the Christian faith disreputable to outsiders if women were allowed to function in this way . . …
Clarity From Heaven
“The task of the preacher is to make the message of the Bible plain. It has to be clear to him in order that it can be so for the hearer” (Sargent, The Sacred Anointing, p. 217).
It’s Not the Restaurants, Champ
The apostle Paul had a terrible time maintaining relationships. And we, in our therapeutic age, would tend to think it was his problem, saying that he must have been what is called a “strong colleague.” “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica”(2 Tim. 4:10). “But Paul thought …
Doctrinal Leaven
Jesus teaches his disciples to guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:6), by which He meant their teaching or doctrine. This refers to false teaching, but a similar point is made concerning the leaven of the Word of God (Matt. 13:33). Doctrine is leaven, and it works like leaven. This means …
When He’s Being a Toad
As I have mentioned before, CanonWIRED has begun posting Q & A clips with my wife Nancy on various topics of interest to Christian women. You can see the full complement of what has been posted thus far here, and you can also view the most recent one here. This most recent discussion addresses what …