Death is NOT the End

This has been a week of sorrow. A longtime member of the church has passed on to glory. She was a pillar in her family and in the church for decades, and now there is a space in our lives that feels empty. Death is not a pleasant thing. If we are honest, we recognize that there’s something wrong with death. But it’s a reality in the world we live in, and no amount of positive thinking can rid this current world of it. However, we must also remember that death, for the Christian, is not the end. While our loved one is gone from this earth and we are unable to call them on the phone or visit with them, they are, in fact, still alive. When a Christian passes on, they are brought into the presence of the Lord of all creation and are now experiencing life more fully than they ever did here on this earth. Yes, we grieve our loss and tears pour down our faces, but those tears are for our loss, not theirs. We rejoice that our loved one is with the Lord. The Apostle Paul wrote:

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Paul is talking specifically about the resurrection to come, but notice what he says about mourning or grieving. Paul says that we are not to mourn for those who are in Christ like the rest of the world mourns. Those in the world have no hope, but Christians have the hope of eternal life.

01 How We Got The Bible

The Bible is a unique and complex collection of texts that has shaped cultures, societies, and individual lives for centuries. Understanding how we got the Bible involves exploring its origins, authors, languages, and the divine inspiration behind its creation. In this article, we will delve into the multifaceted journey of how the Bible came to be, examining its historical context and significance.

The Etymology of the Word "Bible"

The term "Bible" has its roots in both Latin and Greek. The English word derives from the Latin word "Biblia," which in turn comes from the Greek word "Biblos." Interestingly, both terms originally meant "book."

In modern usage, the Bible is often referred to as the "Holy Bible," emphasizing its religious significance. However, the original meaning of the word remains with us. We see this basic meaning with other terms in the English language, such as "bibliography," which refers to a list of sources or books.

The Unique Nature of the Bible

The Bible stands out as a unique text for several reasons. It was composed over a span of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 years, a timeframe that reflects the extensive history of its writing. The Bible was authored by more than 40 different human writers, each contributing from their own perspective and experiences.

These authors came from various backgrounds, including:

• Kings
• Shepherds
• Musicians
• Philosophers
• Prophets
• Blue-collar workers

This diversity is not just in authorship but also in the contexts from which the texts were written. The Bible was crafted in different locations and under varying circumstances, including:

• Wilderness
• Dungeons
• During travels
• In times of war
• In periods of peace
• During prosperity
• In times of poverty

Moreover, the emotional tone of the writings varies widely. Some scriptures were penned during times of joy and celebration, while others reflect deep sorrow and despair. This breadth of experience contributes to the Bible's richness and depth.

Geographical and Linguistic Diversity

The Bible was written on three different continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. This geographical span reflects the diverse cultures and traditions that influenced its writing. Additionally, the Bible was composed in three languages:

• Hebrew
• Aramaic
• Greek

Literary Styles within the Bible

The Bible is not a monolithic text but rather a library of various literary genres. It includes:

• Historical narratives
• Poetry and songs
• Personal correspondence
• Law codes
• Parables
• Apocalyptic literature

This diversity of literary styles allows the Bible to communicate its message in rich and varied ways, appealing to a broad audience across different eras and cultures.

The Unfolding Story of Redemption

Despite its diversity, the Bible presents a cohesive narrative centered around one primary theme: God's redemption of humanity. This overarching story weaves through the different texts, connecting the various authors and contexts into a unified message.

Critics have often pointed to perceived discrepancies and contradictions within the Bible. However, careful examination of the context reveals that these apparent contradictions often dissolve upon closer inspection. The Bible is infallible and without error, a testament to its divine inspiration.

God's Communication with Humanity

Understanding how the Bible came to be also involves exploring how God communicated with humanity. Throughout history, God has used various means to convey His message, including:

• Direct discourse
• Dreams
• Visions
• Angelic messages
• The life and teachings of Jesus

God's direct communication with figures such as Moses exemplifies how He has engaged with humanity. In other instances, God has spoken through dreams, as seen in the lives of Jacob and Joseph. Angels also played a crucial role in delivering divine messages, with notable examples including the Announcement to Mary.

The Role of Visions

Visions are another significant means through which God has communicated. Unlike dreams, which occur during sleep, visions happen while individuals are awake. Prominent prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel experienced profound visions that revealed God's glory and plans.

The Ultimate Revelation: Jesus Christ

The culmination of God's communication to humanity is found in Jesus Christ. As the final and complete revelation of God, Jesus embodies the message of redemption. His life, teachings, and sacrificial death provide the ultimate understanding of God's character and purpose.

The Inspiration of Scripture

Central to the formation of the Bible is the concept of divine inspiration. The Apostle Peter emphasizes that no prophecy of Scripture originated from human will; rather, it was produced by individuals who were carried along by the Holy Spirit. This divine influence ensured that the writings reflected God's truth while still incorporating the personalities and styles of the human authors.

For instance, the Gospels showcase different writing styles and perspectives, with John employing simple Greek and Luke utilizing a more sophisticated style. This variety highlights how God can communicate His message through diverse voices while maintaining the integrity of the truth conveyed.

The Importance of the Bible

The significance of the Bible extends beyond its historical and literary aspects. It serves as God's word to humanity, offering guidance, hope, and insight into eternal life. The Scriptures are described as:

• The words of eternal life
• All-sufficient for doctrine and godly living
• Inspired and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training

Through the Bible, individuals can discover how to live a life that honors God and how to find salvation. The teachings within its pages are not only relevant for personal faith but also for understanding the world and our place within it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of how we got the Bible is a fascinating exploration of history, culture, and divine inspiration. Its unique composition, diverse authorship, and cohesive message of redemption underscore its significance. As we continue to study and engage with the Scriptures, we uncover the depth of God's communication with humanity and the transformative power of His word.

The Long Road Home: Published At Last

Excerpt Of Book Taken From The Preface:

I never thought I would ever write a book especially a work of fiction. In fact, I never thought I would write anything other than my name and maybe my date of birth. Growing up I didn’t like school and would attempt to skip whenever possible. As I got older, I also got into my fair share of trouble. Eventually I dropped out of high school, did many unwise, ungodly, and unsavory things. I did have moments of clarity. As an example, I went back to school and received my GED. I did try to live a moral life on occasion, but would end up slipping back into sinful and destructive behaviors. It wasn’t until I became a Christian that things in my life really began to change. Being forgiven and set free from sin radically changes one’s life.

            It wasn’t long after I gave my life to Christ that I had this hunger for the Word of God and desired to tell as many people as possible about Jesus. Within a year – and with the encouragement of Ian McGuiggan, the evangelist who studied with me and eventually baptized my wife and me into Christ – I began taking courses through Sunset International Bible Institute while also beginning to preach on occasion. It was a slow process for me, but eventually I earned an Associate in Biblical Studies and went on to complete the Bachelor of Biblical Studies. I felt compelled to further my training and decided to pursue an MA in biblical or theological studies. The guy who hated school was now enrolling in seminary for a Master of Arts. Who would have believed this?

            I originally intended to work on a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies but was intrigued by the Master of Arts in Christian and Classical Studies that was being offered. I eventually enrolled in the MACCS program from Knox Theological Seminary.

            The education I received at Knox was eye-opening to say the least. I never read any of the Great Books of the Western World, works such as Plato’s Republic, the City of God by Augustine, Machiavelli’s The Prince, or Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov. Knox had such an important impact on my growth and thinking, much more than I could have imagined. It was during my time at Knox that I met Steve Jeck who I eventually nicknamed “Barnabas” (the son of encouragement). What an amazing man! He guided me through my time at Knox like Virgil guiding Dante in The Divine Comedy. He was far more to me than a teacher. He was my mentor.

            After I graduated from Knox, I applied to Liberty University to work on my doctorate in Christian Leadership/Ministry Leadership. Did I mention that I hated school growing up and that I dropped out of high school? The things that God does in a person’s life are amazing.

            After I completed my doctorate, I began thinking about writing. The reality is that I had begun writing The Long Road Home while I was still at Knox. The poetic imagination had gotten ahold of me, but for various reasons the story went dormant for a while. Every so often I would pull it out and type a few words. Then back into the vault it went.

            I finally decided to post a rough draft of the story, a few paragraphs at a time on my Facebook page and to my surprise, there were a few people who enjoyed reading it. That was the final push I needed to rework it and edit it for publication.

I hope that you, the reader, find in this book a story that is at the same time old and familiar as well as new. If you know the Bible, you will likely pick up on some biblical themes and the story of The Prodigal Son that was taken from the Gospel of Luke. And if you have read some of the great works of the Western canon, you will likely find shadows and echoes from some of those works as well.

            My ultimate goal in all of this is to glorify Jesus who is the world’s only Savior. This story is one of redemption that I pray points you to the ultimate redeemer, Jesus Christ. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and need to be rescued. We could never save ourselves, but the good news is that Jesus died for you and me, and in Him, we have redemption and a new life.

You can purchase the softcover or Kindle versions HERE

Dissertation on Transformational Leadership and Spiritual Growth

 

Here is my dissertation on transformational leadership and the spiritual growth of church members from multicultural churches of Christ in the United States. Wow! That's a mouth full. 

My Dissertation

The full title is: 

A CORRELATIONAL STUDY OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR AND THE SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF CONGREGANTS’ FROM MULTICULTURAL CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE UNITED STATES

Enjoy! 

Reading List For 2021, So Far.

    Below are the books that I've read so far this year. One thing that should jump out at you as you skim through the list, I read a wide variety of literary genres. I study martial arts so you will find books related to that subject, but I am also a minister so you will also find books on the topic of theology, philosophy, and productivity. 

    I hope you find some inspiration from the books listed below. 

__________________

 Atomic Habits (audiobook) by James Clear

This book describes how to create lasting habits as well as how to break bad ones. Productivity and self-help. Highly recommended.

 

Empowered by the grace of God by Garth Black

This is a book on the Holy Spirit and his role n the life of Christians. This book takes the position that the Holy Spirit personally and literally indwells the Christ but does not hold the miraculous powers of the Spirit are working in the Christian today to perform healing inspired revelations or any other miracle. This book is a basic listing of scriptures and some basic explanations. 

 

 Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement… by Voddie Baucham

The current church is facing the onslaught of Critical Race Theory and Critical Social Justice. This book is a phenomenal work detailing and defining the critical issues and terminology utilized by the CRT CSJ. This is highly recommended.

 

 God Work by Randy Harris

This book was ok. It was a smattering of different theological topics and beliefs held by the author. There were some interesting and helpful things found in this book, but in the end, I don’t think I would recommend reading it.

 

 Hidden Lineage by Sean Askew

 

 Leaders Made Here by Mark Miller

This book is on leadership with a focus on how to create a leadership culture where leaders are created and matured. For the most part, this book is geared towards business and corporations, but some of the ideas and suggestions could be translated and used in the church. The book uses a story motif to convey its teachings and ideas. If you struggle to read stories and glen the ideas, this is not for you. If on the other hand you can read this kind of book, it is worth reading. The book is very short and very readable. I recommend it.

 

Ninpo Gairon by Alex Esteve

 

Ninpo Hibun by Alex Esteve

 

  The New Media Frontier by Reynolds and Overton

This book is very dated especially with the topic, it is addressing. The social media explosion is well past where it was when this book was written. That being said, it does contain some helpful suggestions and encouragement for home one might utilize technology to preach Christ and help mold the church and society, or at least be a positive voice in this world for Jesus. Because it is so outdated, I do not recommend it.

 

 The Ninja Way by Ilan Gattegno

 

 

 

 

Why Ministers should read

We live in a day and age when most Americans read, at most, one book a year. About 24% of the population never read even one book in a year. Why? I’m sure there are many reasons why, but my guess is that the increase in audiobooks, podcasts, and video content has contributed to the decline. Recently I posted on Facebook a list of books that I’ve read over the years and asked others to share their reading list, I’m always interested in what others are reading and which books they think are worth reading. I was surprised that most of those who responded named a few specific books or gave a number, but also said that they listened to them and didn’t actually read them. Ok, listen carefully, I love audiobooks and podcasts. I regularly consume video content. I think these things are wonderful and have many blessings, but the reality is that listening to an audiobook is different than reading it. Do they overlap and share similarities? Yes, of course, but again listening is different from reading. Probably one of the biggest differences is that reading is far more active than listening. Listening to an audiobook is much more passive. In fact, because we don’t need to focus as much when listening to an audiobook, we often perform other tasks like driving, working out, or doing the dishes. That’s part of the benefit of listening to things, but if you have ever listened to a book, you have likely drifted, and your attention went wandering somewhere else. The narrator kept speaking and when you finally returned your attention to the audiobook you missed a bunch of stuff. I know this firsthand. Many times, I’ll be listening to a wonderful audiobook and all of a sudden ten or fifteen minutes have passed, and I realize I haven’t been paying attention to the audiobook but daydreaming about something else.

            Now, let’s be clear, the same thing can and often does happen when we read a book, but it is far easier to go back to where we first slipped in our focus and began to wander than it is to stop the audiobook and rewind to the exact place you first started to wander. We can also be a bit passive in our reading habits as well, but, again, reading is far more active than listening is.

            Preachers and ministers of God’s word would do well to assess their reading habits to see if they might benefit from upping the number of books they consume each year. It may very well be that you already read one or two physical books a week and don’t need to increase your reading. If that is in fact you, let this simply be a reminder and an encouragement to keep pressing on. If on the other hand, you find that you could really grow in this area, then let me encourage and maybe even spark you on to reading more books by providing you with some of the scientifically established benefits of reading.        

·         Knowledge: When we read quality non-fiction, we are actively taking in knowledge, learning from scholars and those who are considered top in their fields. Think about sitting down with some of the greatest minds in the field of theology or history and being able to converse with them. In a real way, that’s what we are doing when we read good quality non-fiction books. In fact, we can sit down with people like Augustin, Plato, Dante, or even Calvin and learn from these people from the past who thought long and hard on various subjects. Now, we might not agree with them, maybe not even a little, but having a conversation with these kinds of thinkers will only sharpen our minds and help us to grow.

·         Vocabulary: Reading contributes to our vocabulary. We will likely run across words that we have either never seen before or only have a vague idea as to their meaning. When this happens, we have a great opportunity to grow by examining what that word means in the context that we have just read and/or to pick up a dictionary (or google it) and discover its range of meaning. The reality is that as verbal communicators we need to be able to craft our words in such a way that brings more clarity and light to our preaching and teaching. Not only are we verbal communicators but more and more we minister and interact with members and the broader community through text, blogs, and bulletin articles. Having a broader vocabulary can be extremely helpful. Is there a danger here? Sure, one might become arrogant and utilize big fancy words to try and dazzle those listening and being taught, but arrogance is a danger even if one’s knowledge and vocabulary are limited.

·         Stress Reduction: Believe it or not, reading can reduce stress and counteract depression. Research was conducted that demonstrated that reading for 20 or 30 minutes was more effective at reducing stress than listening to music. How many of us in ministry could use some stress relief? Now, it may not be helpful if we are pressed to read a book for school or as part of a class we are teaching. That may very well produce more stress, but a good book of fiction could help relax us and may even provide some helpful illustrations for sermons or Bible studies. You just never know where an excellent illustration will come from.

·         Empathy: What in the world does “empathy” mean? There’s a fancy word, or maybe not. This just means that one can understand and share the feelings of another. Reading has been shown to increase one’s ability to be empathetic. As ministers you know as well as I do that we are involved with people, their lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Being able to understand and even share in the feelings of those we minister to is extremely important. Connecting with and relating to people we meet is one of the most valuable traits a minister can possess. After all, it is unlikely that visitors will return if the preacher is unable to relate, at least in some small way with them. This is also important for relating to and interacting with those who are already members. I don’t share my hurts with those who are stoic, unfeeling individuals. I want to connect with those and share with those who can, or at least attempt, to share in my sufferings and hurts, as well as my victories and triumphs.

The old saying, “leaders are readers” applies equally as much to the minister. We are leaders who are striving to be more competent and effective in all areas of ministry and reading books can help us develop some important areas of our life and ministry. 

            All of that to say, minister, preacher, pastor, elder, church leader grab some good books from various genres and on different topics, and enjoy, knowing that you are doing something that will have an impact on you personally as well as your ministry.

 

Bibliography & Further Reading

 

Berns, G. S., Blaine, K., Prietula, M. J., & Pye, B. E. (2013). Short- and long-term effects

of a novel on connectivity in the brain. Brain connectivity, 3(6), 590–600. https://doi.org/10.1089/brain.2013.0166

Cain, K. & Oakhill, J. (2011). Matthew effects in young readers: reading comprehension

and reading experience aid vocabulary development. J Learn Disabil, 44(5), 431-43; doi: 10.1177/0022219411410042. Epub 2011 Jul 19. PMID: 21772058.

Duff, D., Tomblin, J. B., & Catts, H. (2015). The Influence of Reading on Vocabulary

Growth: A Case for a Matthew Effect. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research: JSLHR, 58(3), 853–864. https://doi.org/10.1044/2015_JSLHR-L-13-0310

Kidd, D. C. & Castano, E. (2013). Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind.

Science, 342(6156), 377-80; DOI: 10.1126/science.1239918. Epub 2013 Oct 3. PMID: 24091705.

Reading Well (n.d.). Mental Health. https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-

prescription/mental-health/self-help

Rizzolo, Denise & Zipp, Genevieve & Simpkins, Susan & Stiskal, Doreen. (2009). Stress

Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress. Journal of College Teaching and Learning, 6. 79-88; 10.19030/tlc.v6i8.1117.

Wilson, R. S., Boyle, P. A., Yu, L., Barnes, L. L., Schneider, J. A., & Bennett, D. A.

(2013). Life-span cognitive activity, neuropathologic burden, and cognitive aging. Neurology, 81 (4), 314-321; doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31829c5e8a

 

 

Transformational Leadership Research

 

If you haven’t noticed, the world is becoming far more interconnected with the advances of both technology and transportation it is easy to know what is happening on the other side of the globe. Not only can one see and hear what’s going on in far-off lands, but in your own community, you will likely interact with people from a variety of ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. 

Local congregations are finding themselves in a location that is less and less homogeneous which creates unique challenges for church leaders that are related to evangelism, discipleship, and counseling. Church leaders (i.e., shepherds, ministers, and evangelists) must rise to the challenges associated with multicultural neighborhoods and congregations. 

It was with this challenge in mind that I conducted my doctoral research on transformational leadership and the spiritual growth of members from multicultural churches. What I found was that transformational leadership was the primary behavior utilized by those surveyed. It was also found that all of the multicultural churches examined all showed high levels of spiritual maturity. Although the research could not show a correlation between the two variables it does provide interesting insights into this vital subject. 

In the end, my recommendation is for church leaders to investigate transformational leadership behaviors and strive to grow in this area because there are many benefits for both the leaders and those they lead. 

For those interested in reading the research I conducted with a more in-depth discussion of this topic, related literature, and recommendations you can download my dissertation here:

 https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/2842/