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.
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?
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…
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?
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
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.
Can you discuss the “for” in Acts 3:38? Are we baptized for remission of sin or “because” of remission of sin?
Good point to bring up for discussion, Charles. Yes, we’ll discuss it sometime in the near future. Please keep posted.
Dr. Galyon,
I would like for you to explain the “2 Wills of God Doctrine”, provided you subscribe to it.
Joe…stay tuned.
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.