Author Archives: Mark Stevens

Unleashing the Gospel: A review of Scot McKight’s “The King Jesus Gospel”

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I am grateful to Scot McKnight and Zondervan for making this book available to me for review. From the moment I viewed the book trailer in which McKnight appears, I was interested in what he had to say about the widely debated meaning of “the gospel”. One of things I appreciate about Scot McKnight as an author is his ability to think critically about issues which matter to the church in a way which makes scholarship accessible. One might say he is a scholar of and for the church in an age when so many are simply “of”.

 

This review will not seek to interact at a scholarly level with McKnight. This is not my area of expertise. I will leave this to the likes of Witherington, Kirk, LePort. In this review I will discuss my impressions of the book, what I liked and what I didn’t. In a series of upcoming posts I will interact with the book chapter by chapter on my turf and how it realtes to ministry at my personal blog, The Parson’s Patch.

First up let me say; this book may be short and easy to read but one gets the feeling it has a lifetime of scholarship undergirding it.  In what I would describe as an easy to follow conversational style McKnight takes us on a journey to understand what the “Gospel” really means in a way I would identify as scholarly but pastoral.

McKnight begins by carefully deconstructing his own experience and understanding of the word “Gospel”. I suspect many readers will identify with his experience. Begining with 1 Corinthians 15 McKnight seeks to establish what he considers the earliest witness we have to the content of the gospel. I appreciated the way in which McKnight worked his way back through 21st century, through the Reformation to Paul’s, Peter’s and finally Jesus’ understanding of the gospel. In my opinion, by approaching the subject this way, I believe McKnight Unleashes the Gospel from our 21st century misunderstandings and ties it back to the King Jesus Gospel!

If I had one criticism of the book it is that I felt McKnight overemphasized salvation culture as the predominant culture in the church. Although I agree with his assessment that 21st century evangelical culture is not gospel culture I am not persuaded that most churches focus primarily on getting folks saved. I think this might be true of mega churches but because the vast majority of churches are small I think the point is overemphasised. I also felt this part of his argument is out-dated. I am speaking from my own context here in Australia and could therefore be wrong.  What I do agree with however, and what McKnight provides, is a clear biblical (including historical) and theological understanding of who and what the gospel is. McKnight has done a great job defining the word within its original first century context as well as providing a theological summary for the 21st century church to consider.

A couple of points which really stood out for me were McKnight’s ability to critique those with whom he disagrees with and yet extend a level of respect expected between Christians. In short, McKnight is polite. Also, in each chapter McKnight interacts with well known, sometimes pseudnomynous “Pastors”? This was incredibly helpful in framing the discussion in my mind for use in ministry.

I can highly recommend this book to Pastors and lay people alike. It  is short enough to read in a day or two or, as I would encourage every reader to do, take a chapter each day and read it over two weeks. Anyone who reads this book will come away refreshed, challenged and with a lot to think about. It would make a great study book for small groups.

Finally, this book does not feel like a reaction. As you read it you get the idea that McKnight has been mulling this stuff over for quite some time; researching and reflecting on this issue. At the end of the day he has written a book which is easy to read but certainly not lightweight!  I can say with confidence that McKnight unleashes the Gospel from 21st century meaning for 21st century meaning!

 

 

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iPad, therefore I am!

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Preaching the iPad way?

For months I have been asking friends what they thought of their iPad. Everyone one of them said they loved it. One friend even told me he loved it more than his children. Yesterday I decided for better or worse to forgo some books and buy an iPad2.

Straight up, let me be honest, I now believe my friends were completely underselling how good this piece of technology is! Time will tell how much I use it but my first impression is WOW! I plan to use it as a personal organizer and I will use it to preach from as well as surfing the net, getting email etc.

Two apps which have immediately attracted my attention are the Logos Bible Software app and the Kindle app. With the Logos app I now have my entire Logos 4 library with me as well as tools for exegesis and study! I can download them to my device or retrieve them when I have access to WiFi. With the Kindle app I also have more books available to me and would you believe, the Kindle app is better than the actual kindle! There are a couple of other news apps I love but they barely rate a mention because they are local news specific to me (the Australian newspaper and the ABC app)

If anyone has any other advice on what apps are good and what benefit they have found in the iPad I would love to hear about them!

 

Sunday Reflection: Forgiveness…

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I read a quote this week which said, “I taught my kids about taxes by eating 28% of their ice-cream!” Now there is an illustration that will hit home! There is something about storytelling which catches us off guard. We think stories are nice and so we approach them with our guard down however, they subvert our defenses and get under our skin. They penetrate our heart and change our mind even before we have had a chance to think logically! Jesus knew this and exploited it by using parables to teach some pretty hard hitting truths! When we read parables we should be bamboozled!

My text this morning is Matthew 18:21-35 and deals with forgiveness. Peter’s question is one I have asked the Lord myself, a dozen times (if not more). It naturally flows from Jesus’ teaching on reconciling with a member of the church who has sinned against us.  Peter asks, “Jesus, I have been thinking about what you said. I need some more clarity. Tell me, how many times should we forgive? Surely 7 times is enough, right?”  To which Jesus replies “7, hardly, try 70!”

How would I summarise this passage? We are to forgive without limit because we have been forgiven without limit. If we don’t this we will suffer emotionally and spiritually! In fact Jesus goes so far as to say the failure to forgive actually casts doubt on the genuineness of a person’s discipleship! Sobering thoughts…

But I also live in the unreal world (Occasionally referred to as the real world). This heavenly truth must be lived out in the conditions in which we live (On earth as it is in heaven). Confronting someone who has wronged you and hurt you is hard work but I think confronting the hurt within us is even harder. When we do this we expose the most vulnerable part of our emotions. We feel exposed and it is natural for us to want to hide or protect ourselves. Let me tell you (from a little experience), if you hold on to un-forgiveness it will not only eat away at your soul, it will affect your relationships with those you love and the one who loves you, God! The only path to spiritual freedom is the path of forgiveness. It is not an easy journey and sometimes it can take years of small daily decisions to forgive.

Here are 5 things I have learnt about forgiveness. Some are drawn from the passage and others drawn from experience.

  1. Forgiveness is a decision. Sometimes a daily one.
  2. Forgiveness starts by acknowledgeing the depth of sin, hurt or pain caused by the person who has wronged us!
  3. Forgiveness unlocks our hearts from the burden of sin. Unforgiveness is a dead weight we carry around in the pit of our soul.
  4. Forgiveness opens the future. Unforgiveness can so often define our day to day. Forgiveness on the other hand frees us from the weight.
  5. Forgiveness is the way of the cross! It won’t be easy and it will require of you to die to self!

Please, I beg of you, if you are harboring unforgiveness please let it go. I have seen (even experienced) what it can do your soul! I think Psalm 103:7–10 explains the way fairly clearly…

“7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.”

Beginning a Thesis: Advice…

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Today I sat down and began my Masters thesis. I will need to find 20’000 words over the next 12 months. I will be comparing and contrasting the views of N.T. Wright and Douglas Moo on Romans 2:13 and then discussing how their reading of the text would work itself out in an applied pastoral context (still to be determined). How does that sound?

Today I started my exegesis of Romans 2:12-16 and became lost almost immediately.  As I began my journey I wondered if anyone had any advice for me. Practical is best. For instance, how did you ‘literally’ begin? How did you sustain the passion through words 3001 and 19’002? How do you exegete a text? I am open to any help!

I began by reading DeSilva’s introduction to Romans in An Introduction to the New Testament : Contexts, Methods and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2004). I found this quote most interesting given the many battles which have been fought over this disputed territory. I especially liked his acknowledgment of the ironies of such battles in the face of Paul’s call for unity…

“Philip Melanchthon, one of the great theological minds of the Reformation, described Romans as “an outline and compendium of all Christian doctrine”, and its interpretation has often been driven by theological interests and debates. Indeed, until recently Romans has been read primarily as an essay in propositional theology, and interpreters have often lost sight of the concrete and specific set of circumstances and interests that called this letter into existence. Attempting to abstract the timeless theology of Romans, Christians have repeatedly broken off fellowship with other Christians over the interpretation of minute aspects of this letter, for example, the question of predestination versus free will, the degree of human depravity, the nature of “saving” faith and so forth. A tragic irony emerges when we consider that in Romans, Paul provides his fullest treatment of the way God has brought together people of diverse heritage and practice into the one body of the church, and he also gives several chapters of practical advice for preserving unity in the midst of this diversity.”

[David Arthur deSilva, 2004, p.598.]

Zondervan Academic Catalogue Online

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I thought some folk might be interested to read the new Zondervan Academic catalogue HERE [With thanks to Louis for pointing it out] It is a very impressive online brochure full of current and future Zondervan academic titles and video!

Among some of the great new titles people might be interested in, Darrel Bock’s Theology of Luke-Acts struck me as exciting as well as a complete revision of the Expositors Bible Commentary including new work by 30  scholars. Finally, there are two new volumes in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament Series.

Have a look, you will not be disappointed!

Scholars, Pastors and Idolatry…

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I mentioned, albeit briefly, in my review of BW3’s new book, “Is there a Doctor in the House?” my concern about seminary students who begin their studies planning to be pastors and end up wanting to be scholars. It seems to me after the first year of pastoral formation the glamour and glitter begins to wane and the student begins looking for another calling. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are many fine scholars who began their studies expecting to be pastors and “heard the call” so to speak – but does God really require 90% of those in seminary to become scholars? Surely pastoral ministry is in far greater need of workers than universities and seminaries! I wonder of the rise of the celebrity scholar has provided us with another false god to worship. The lure of book deals, travel and SBL meetings appears far better a life than sermons, marriage counselling and board meetings!

I wonder the academic world of writing and teaching has an allure reminiscent of celebrity pastors and mega-churches; but for the scholarly wannabes.  Most churches in Australia and America average 100 people and yet most of the best seeling authors on such matters pastor churches of thousands! Likewise, most PhDs don’t get book deals which bring in the dough or the notoriety. They work faithfully in Bible colleges and seminaries without ever being noticed. I am told that most never end up with a tenured teaching position (ouch).

I am concerned that the vocation of Biblical Scholar has become for many seminary students a form of vocational idolatry.  In the same way I am tempted to pursue the idols inherent in my vocation as pastor, I can relate to the student who is tired, battered and lacking a zeal for God’s people (usually after the first placement). I understand the emotions and struggles which confront any seminary student nevertheless; can I encourage you to persist with your path towards ministry? The allure of academic work might be great but it is a hard road, one that may be far harder than the one you are currently on!

Can I offer some advice from my own experience? When you feel like giving up and switching course:

  • Don’t circumvent the call. Don’t head to Tarshish when you are called to Nineveh. Just because you have had a bad experience in your first student ministry doesn’t mean you’re not called! My first church plant failed dismally. Why? I am not a church planter! But I learnt lessons there that make me a good pastor today (almost 15 years later).
  • Ministry education is as much about education as it is spiritual formation. Meaning? It is meant to hurt. No matter how much your sending church loved you and confirmed your call, you need to change and God is not going to sit idly by if you have signed up for this most holy of vocations. As much as in any other time in history we need pastors who have been formed as well as educated.
  • You can be a pastor theologian or an academic pastor. If you enjoy the scholarly side of biblical study  it doesn’t mean you can’t be a pastor (It may well mean you’ll never pastor a large church as they seem to be pastored by celebrities). In fact, I can’t help but think we need more teaching pastors and more pastoral theologians. You know, like Calvin and Barth!
  • It is about the Call. Sometimes these seasons of doubt expose the real reason we went to seminary. They expose our egos more so than our calling. As Pastors we are in training to be shepherds of God’s flock. If God chooses a path for us that include some sort of fame, so be it. But for most of us it is about faithfully shepherding the flock of God. In all honesty, the books, the teaching positions, the fame; they are all hay and stubble.

When I think of the pastors who have had the greatest impact on me I call to mind the scholarly (Eugene Peterson, Karl Barth, David Hansen & Jim West to name a few). When I call to mind the scholars I like to read they are all pastoral (I think of BW3, David A Black, Douglas Moo and even most recently, Joel Green of Fuller). We need both in our churches and both the vocation of scholar and the vocation of pastor are important callings. The church needs its scholars to remain faithful teachers of scripture so we pastors can rightly divide the word of truth! May we all listen carefully to our calling and our egos!