2 Know, Ask
During each of my pastorates I held Q & A sessions once per month, usually on a Sunday or Wednesday evening. I encouraged church members to ask any questions they had related to biblical, theological or historical matters. These sessions proved to be beneficial to the members for their spiritual growth. Some individuals were helped because their individual questions were answered, and others were helped by listening to the answers given to the questions raised by others. For an extended time, I also answered questions as an online “expert” related to religious questions. One of the benefits of online answers is that anyone may view what is posted. Over the years, I’ve replied to questions ranging from, “Will my dog be in heaven?” to “Are Baptists Protestant?”
Wanting this blog to serve as a useful tool for the sake of Christ Jesus, I’ve decided to bring the Q & A format here. Here are the “qualifications” I bring to the table:
Ecclesiastical Endorsement
Ordained to the Gospel Ministry
Licensed to the Gospel Ministry
Theological Education
PhD in Theology
Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages
Masterof Arts in Theology
Bachelor of Arts in Religion
Associate of Arts in ReligionMinisterial Experience
- Over 20 years in ministry
If you would like to pose a question, please do so via the “comment” option. It is likely that your question, along with the corresponding answer, may end up as a post on 2 Worlds Collide.
David Grant
December 16, 2008 at 6:08 am
DJ – This story was in the Star Telegram this past Sunday. Here is the link from the New York Times original http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/nyregion/14churches.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
The title of the article is: “Bad Times Draw Bigger Crowds to Churches”.
In this article was a comment:
“Part of the evangelicals’ new excitement is rooted in a communal belief that the big Christian revivals of the 19th century, known as the second and third Great Awakenings, were touched off by economic panics. Historians of religion do not buy it, but the notion “has always lived in the lore of evangelism,” said Tony Carnes, a sociologist who studies religion.”
I know of your love and study of historical revivals. Is the, historians of religion do not buy it, comment true, if so why?
Dr. James Galyon
December 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm
David – Great question! I’ll post on this in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned…
Charles – I’ll post on your question in a few weeks. Stay tuned…
Charles Page
January 10, 2009 at 7:08 am
Can you clarify dispensationalism’s differencs of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. Years ago I heard this discussed. How does it relate to covenants in reformed theology?
Charles Page
January 10, 2009 at 7:18 am
Will you comment on the Paul Williams situation at Memphis Bellevue Baptist? Is this a cover-up of the issue of Homosexuality in the ranks of the SBC?
My argument with the Christa Brown followers is that he is a homosexual and they say, no, he is only a sexual predator who uses sex to control people. It seems to me that “rape is about power” is a non-moral way to get around saying “sex outside of marriage is a sin”.
It seems to me that this argument is comming from the rank and file of the SBC and is an argument by godless people. ie. feminist
Dr. James Galyon
January 10, 2009 at 10:12 am
Charles:
Please keep posted regarding Dispensationalism, Covenenant Theology, etc. As to the Paul Williams situation, I don’t believe there is a cover-up of the issue in the ranks of the SBC. I’m not familiar with Christa Brown. I would agree that there is an issue, not only of rape/sexual abuse, but also with homosexuality in this case. That seems to be a statement of the obvious.
Charles Page
January 16, 2009 at 6:44 am
Can you discuss the “for” in Acts 3:38? Are we baptized for remission of sin or “because” of remission of sin?
Dr. James Galyon
January 16, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Good point to bring up for discussion, Charles. Yes, we’ll discuss it sometime in the near future. Please keep posted.
Joe White
February 25, 2009 at 10:41 am
Dr. Galyon,
I would like for you to explain the “2 Wills of God Doctrine”, provided you subscribe to it.
Dr. James Galyon
February 25, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Joe…stay tuned.
Ann
July 11, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Dear Dr. Galyon,
I am not a theologian, simply a follower of Christ Jesus. I fully subscribe to the Doctrines of Sovereign Grace. I left a church that did not fully subscribe (an Arminian one) and joined a newly planted church that did (a Reformed one).
My question is this: Is it customary, or necessary for the pastor(s) of the newer church to meet with and “ask for the blessing” of the pastor of the former church, for the sake of unity? The newer church pastors seem concerned that they are taking members away from other churches. Is it not my choice to leave any church I want to and go to any other church I want to, God willing? Is not the fact that people are coming to a newer church – that holds fast to doctrine in the Word – blessing enough from God? What possbie blessing would a pastor need from another man? I would think God’s blessing (a growing church) would be most sufficient!
(My own personal studies have revealed to me that unity, at the sake of doctrine, is wrong. My departure from the previous church was all about doctrine, nothing else. With an Ergun Caner protege in the pulpit, I simply was unable to tolerate the consistent teaching of freewillism, decisional regeneration, etc.)
Also, are you familiar with Cross TV, Word Pictures, or Mark Kielar? I have found the DVDs and Videos to be most edifying in my search for understanding, especially the Sovereignty of God series , and How God Converts the Human Soul series.
Thank you for your time in helping me with this.
Puritan Lad
May 11, 2010 at 10:13 am
Ann,
Not wanting to steal Dr. James’ thunder, but if I may respond…
The leadership of your former church, regardless of the type of government it may have, is responsible to watch over your soul as those who must give account. I’m not sure if they actually follow up on members who leave (sadly, many do not), but it is very customary for Reformed Churches to meet with and “ask for the blessing” of former churches, not only for unity, but to assure that leadership that the member is still a sheep in the fold of Christ, not having abandoned the faith. As a Christian, you do not leave “the church” (there is only one), but you may be placed in submission of a different set of elders.
Robert Compere
January 26, 2011 at 9:17 am
Thanks for your recent posts. I’ve been having this discussion with my sister, and I referred her to your website.
I’ve passed all hurdles to become a AF chaplain. I was told I will go fiscal year 2012, probably Oct. But they also said I may go earlier. If I go in Oct. it will have been 2 years in the process. What can you tell me about serving as an active duty chaplain? BTW, I’m NAMB endorsed.
Dr. James Galyon
January 26, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Robert:
Shoot me an e-mail. rev_galyon@hotmail.com
I can tell you all about it.
Robert Compere
February 2, 2011 at 8:24 pm
I sent an email. Did you get it?
Dr. James Galyon
February 2, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I did not. Please resend.
rev_galyon@hotmail.com
Mark Flurry
April 21, 2011 at 11:32 am
What kind of polish do you use on that head of yours? …Long time since we talked. You were just going into the chaplaincy last time. Send me an email and get in touch.
Mark Flurry, M.Div. SWBTS, 2001