Don Williams: Shaping the Theology, Praxis, & Culture of Worship

Don Williams,[2] “one of the Vineyard’s premier theologians,”[3] was the founding pastor of Coast Vineyard Christian Fellowship in La Jolla, CA from 1989 until 2002,[4] as well as the primary author/editor of the Vineyard Statement of Faith.[5] In addition to his...

The Spirit as the Power & Presence of God

Theological discourse has changed in some significant ways in the past few decades. In the 1980’s, serious debate existed between scholars as to the relevance and reality of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Some scholars, holding to a viewpoint known as...

Trinitarian Creedal Christianity

For most of my life, I've been connected to Vineyard churches, a unique movement of churches that has historically identified itself as the "radical middle" between Evangelicals and Pentecostal/Charismatics. I don't think I'd even heard of a "creed" until I was in...

What is Our Ecclesiological Kingdom Identity?

A dear friend of mine recently suffered a tragic loss in his life and, after all of the chips had fallen, wondered to himself, "What the hell is the point?" This vulnerable question seemed to get at this nagging question related to faith -- what's the point of...

The Cross & Resurrection of Christ…

While I'm not a fan of simplistic faith or anti-intellectualism, I do have a high value for discerning central themes or what some have described as the "simple" gospel, though sometimes I'm confused by what people mean by that term! Confusion aside, I think it is...

Power in the Name of Jesus

Years ago I was at a prayer gathering and we had a number of visitors from out of town. One of them, a young lady from Canada, requested prayer but was seemingly unsure of what she wanted prayer for. Our group spent the next hour praying for her and as we continued,...

On Associations, Networks, & Denominations…

Anaheim continues to be on my heart and mind as I have continued to receive emails and other forms of correspondence from people who have been significantly impacted by the decision to disassociate from the Vineyard movement. This has me thinking a bit more about the...

Be Like Lance…

The first time I attended the Anaheim Vineyard, I was pretty overwhelmed. John Wimber, the founder that local church, has made an indelible impact on my life. Though I grew up as a kid in the Vineyard, it wasn’t until around the age of twenty that I read Bill...

Ep 21: Gender Dynamics & the Politics of a “yellow” Kingdom w/ Melody Winderweedle

On episode twenty-one, I'm joined by Melody Winderweedle to discuss the various dynamics attached to women in ministry as well as a good bit of thinking in relation to how the politics of the kingdom of God are "yellow." About Melody: Melody Winderweedle is the...

Ep 20: Africans, African Americans, & Cultural Challenges in Church w/ Edgar King & Ramon Mayo

On episode twenty, I have a conversation with Edgar King and Ramon Mayo to discuss a lot of different topics, including Church, theology, and ethnic diversity. https://youtu.be/1zNvoVNDvhA You can download the audio...
Your Sermons Don’t Feed Me!

Your Sermons Don’t Feed Me!

Systematic Theology. Exegesis. Church History. Contextualization. Liturgy. Pneumatology. Hebrew and Greek. Pastoral counseling. These are all subjects that most pastors are either familiar with or have taken seminary courses on. Transitioning from seminary to pastoral...

Preaching: A Biblical Theology, by Jason C. Meyer

Preaching: A Biblical Theology, by Jason C. Meyer

Biblical theologies are all the rage these days, and I'll be the first to admit that I am quick to jump at reading anything that claims that topic. I am also, by vocation, a preacher. When you combine "biblical theology" with "preaching," you will peak my interest. So...

She Can Teach, by Jackie Roese

She Can Teach, by Jackie Roese

Recently I read where a pastor, who is a man, acknowledge that when he is preaching and people get up and walk out of the auditorium, he generally assumes that people are leaving simply because they need to go to the bathroom or get a drink or don't like his topic,...

A Necessary Focus of Prolegomena: Why Study Theology?

A Necessary Focus of Prolegomena: Why Study Theology?

I'm not sure at what point I can officially call myself a theologian. On one hand I kind of think that every follower of Jesus is a theologian, whether they want to use that term or not. On the other hand, not everyone is a trained or good theologian, so I tend to use...

Counterfeit gospels, by Trevin Wax

Counterfeit gospels, by Trevin Wax

I've been following Trevin Wax's blog for a number of years now and really appreciate what he writes. He's fair, practical, and a great theological thinker. If you don't follow his blog, you should. Apart from blogging and working for The Gospel Project, Wax is also...

Welcome to “Preaching with Logos”!

Welcome to “Preaching with Logos”!

As you've probably gathered, ThinkTheology.org thinks Logos Bible Software is invaluable for pastoral work. Able, Kenny, and myself have all purchased it and use it regularly. On my part, I've used it here in the U.S. while doing normal pastoral duties and have even...

Evangelical Peacemakers, edited by David P. Gushee

Evangelical Peacemakers, edited by David P. Gushee

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matt. 5:9) Jesus half brother, James, wrote that "a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:18). Clearly the practice of peacemaking is an important...

Introducing Jürgen Moltmann…

Introducing Jürgen Moltmann…

Jürgen Moltmann, or as I call him, "The Molt," is an incredible theologian. He's written a bunch of books on subjects related to systematic theology, including his classic Theology of Hope and The Crucified God. Moltman, a German reformed theologian, taught for years...

Humble Confidence: The Lion & the Lamb Leader

Humble Confidence: The Lion & the Lamb Leader

Anyone who has played competitive sports will recognize the importance of confidence in being a successful athlete. When I was playing competitive basketball, confidence made a world of difference. Why would anyone ever drive through the lane when there are...

John Knox for Armchair Theologians, by Suzanne McDonald

John Knox for Armchair Theologians, by Suzanne McDonald

John Knox for Armchair Theologians is a quick and fascinating read. Why study the life of Knox? The author, Suzanne McDonald, writes: "There are also very few theologians who could be named as a driving force in the shaping of a nation. You can't race the history of...

Minding the Heart, by Robert L. Saucy

Minding the Heart, by Robert L. Saucy

Robert L. Saucy's influence on many evangelicals is incalculable. He's mostly known for his work in areas of systematic theology and as an advocate for Progressive Dispensationalism (PD). He's currently the Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Biola...

G.O.S.P.E.L. by D.A. Horton

G.O.S.P.E.L. by D.A. Horton

My buddy, the good Dr. Cyril Guerette, recently suggested that I may be hiding my relationship with the hip hop world. In a conversation, he stated that, "Luke is/was a famous underground rapper who crashed at my place... During that time he proved to be even more...

On The Death of Kenny’s Father…

On The Death of Kenny’s Father…

As some of you may have noticed, thinktheology.org hasn't been very active this past week. For my part, I've been busy with a variety of things related to my education, pastoral service, and involvement in the Vineyard Movement (I'm at a leaders retreat). Yet...

Kingdom Come, by Sam Storms (pt. 1 of 5)

Kingdom Come, by Sam Storms (pt. 1 of 5)

When I was around sixteen years old, I discovered the last book of the New Testament, Revelation. I was fascinated by what I read and couldn't help reading anything related to the apocalyptic literature found in our Bibles. Daniel, and portions of Ezekiel, and the...

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