November 2010 Issue
Where in the world is Satan the devil?
Lael Caesar
Do we find Satan to be real? Or have we trivialized him to the point where he no longer exists? Satan has almost completely lost his standing in the world of Christian theology. Consider, for example, the attitude of three writers in recent biblical and theological publications. First, celebrated New Testament scholar N. T. Wright, who is fully aware of the pervasive presence of evil in our world today. But in a recent monograph, he identifies evil in both the disruptions of our physical environment and through its control of human minds and spirits.
Do we find Satan to be real? Or have we trivialized him to the point where he no longer exists? Satan has almost completely lost his standing in the world of Christian theology. Consider, for example, the attitude of three writers in recent biblical and theological publications. First, celebrated New Testament scholar N. T. Wright, who is fully aware of the pervasive presence of evil in our world today. But in a recent monograph, he identifies evil in both the disruptions of our physical environment and through its control of human minds and spirits.The pastor as theologian
Willie E. Hucks II
Illustration 1: Riding home from church one Sabbath afternoon, my then four-year-old daughter asked me, “Daddy, does Jesus love the devil?” My wife and I looked at each other in amazement while quickly pondering her query. Although I knew the answer, I was stunned…
Trends in biblical hermeneutics (part 2 of 2)
Hans K. LaRondelle
The words of the psalmist, asking God to open our eyes to the wondrous things in His law (Ps. 119:18), encourage us to adopt a proper understanding of Scripture.
The words of the psalmist, asking God to open our eyes to the wondrous things in His law (Ps. 119:18), encourage us to adopt a proper understanding of Scripture.Jesus leadership: A model for ministry
Janet Augustinsen
Famous leaders are cited as models; but is there a better example of leadership than we can find in Jesus?
Famous leaders are cited as models; but is there a better example of leadership than we can find in Jesus?Ministry in a diverse society
Kenley Hall
In order to be relevant to postmoderns, must the church listen to the voice of postmodernism?
In order to be relevant to postmoderns, must the church listen to the voice of postmodernism?Pastors and life in the public square
Skip Bell
Understanding the worldview of Jesus requires that we first note His concern for the well-being of society.
Understanding the worldview of Jesus requires that we first note His concern for the well-being of society.Transforming prayer
James R. Kilmer
Prayer offers the power and wisdom needed to meet today's challenges. But how does the pastor experience and teach genuine spirituality?
Prayer offers the power and wisdom needed to meet today's challenges. But how does the pastor experience and teach genuine spirituality?Abusing Scripture: The Consequences of Misreading the Bible
Richard W. Medina
Manfred T. Brauch wrote Abusing Scripture with evangelicals in mind. Within this tradition, the author identifies, in every chapter, misinterpretations of Scripture along with their negative consequences centered on three matters: (1) the use and justification of force…
What Your Son Isn't Telling You: Unlocking the Secret World of Teen Boys
Alanzo H. Smith
Navigating one’s developmental tasks, and especially being an adolescent, presents its own set of challenges, but being a boy compounds the struggle. What Your Son Isn’t Telling You seeks to acquaint its readers with real-life accounts of the ways boys think. The authors…
Depression affects pastors too
Jina Kim
Depression affects people in different ways and not everyone will experience the same symptoms.
Depression affects people in different ways and not everyone will experience the same symptoms.Letters to the Editor
Church discipline according to MatthewThank you for your September2010 issue featuring studentwriters. I especially appreciate LucaMarulli’s article (“ ‘Let Both of ThemGrow Together’: Church Discipline inthe Gospel of Matthew”).I am an interim pastor, and haveoften…