Bentley

12 και πεπεισμαι οτι δυνατος εστιν την παραθηκην μου φυλαξαι εις εκεινην την ημεραν

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@jonbenz Honest question: was Moses' issue lack of talent or unwillingness?

Looking at Daniel, Paul, Abraham, et al, I am struggling with the message that implies God uses the 'unprepared', 'untalented', 'uneducated', etc.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer Its quite possible I reacted more to the topic than the substance.

That this is an issue at all makes me want to vomit.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer Ok, touche. Good point.

My point: this is entirely the problem with the church corporate.

If this is a real issue, then it is incumbant on the minister to address this prior to employment.

That said, a church that restricts a pastor in this manner has lost its way.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer The idea of protecting an income stream seems antithetical to ministry.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer Sorry, missed your logic.

I believe in the call of ministry... I believe the principle of paying a preacher is to free a man up to fully give himself to his call.

The paid professional model is umbilical and not in line with the benevolence of Christian community (IMO)

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@NateAFischer @SamRainer There is no moral against recording a deed.

Try an example that not only violates Scripture, but the spirit of Christian community.

An example for your argument might be in the realm of books... Admittedly a little more complicated.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer That is my point. Open the church, marry the eligible, preach the word (as God would lead you) and quit relying on the law to protect you. A church that would do this to a retired Pastor deserves the rebuke of the body of Christ.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@SamRainer @ferrismattic I'm getting at the fact that the presence of God in the gifts we bring are just that - gifts. Leave them there.

If God should meet me through a word given or a verse read or a sermon preached, I'm not asking for approval on sharing that.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@jonbenz The church has competed for attention with music, corporate effectiveness, rhetorical talent and other disciplines.

Yet in an attempt to 'win' she has forgotten the One in Whom there is no worthy competitor.

Just be you and Give me Jesus.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@ferrismattic @SamRainer Good thing Paul or Peter or Jesus didn't copyright their sermons.

This makes me nauseous.

I suppose if you're a cessationist preaching is not a gift - and can be given to Christ's body with strings attached.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@ostrachan I agree but do not frame it in covenant language.

For me it's Kingdom language - the NT being different than the OT.

May Your Kingdom come...

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@PDavidCMcGuire @MarkGrote @ferrismattic Mark: Thank-you for your input.

Per 'Combat ...' guy: I have no intention in responding to someone who lacks the ability to have a rational convo without personal slam.

My mute button is in play

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@ferrismattic @MarkGrote IMO The 'literal' meaning is a definition of character.

On the other hand, I suppose we could all start gouging our eyes out.

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@jonbenz Nothing new under the sun Zeph 1:12

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@ferrismattic Maybe I'm wrong. I view the Sabbath in this context, in the same category as gravity - something that makes sense to align with, but amoral in nature.

(The magnitude of consequence for not observing either is debatable lol)

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@KirkWilson While I'm not a particular Calvinist, I think you may have missed my point.

We are all influenced by something. To say that one influence is suspect, while another is somewhat 'pure', is rather disingenuous.

'Simply the Bible' hmmm

Sola Scripture hmmm

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@ferrismattic IOW 'Brother' Titus (unlike parent Paul) was recompensed relative to his labour.

While not a burden, this gig is also not a free-for-all.

Too far??

[Bentley @BPSteegstra]

@jonbenz Some of that (IMO) is a product of misplacing and and subsequently downplaying 'experience'.

Find me somewhere in Scripture an encounter with God devoid of what so many label as 'just experiential'.

The baby has gone with the bathwater.