Fear Not! "We Need to Talk About Death"

We need to talk about the elephant in the Zoom meeting. Death. Everyone will die, at some point. Death is a real part of life and the Bible talks about it a great deal. Jared Jenkins and Bryan Catherman get raw and honest to talk about death and what the Bible has to say about it. It’s something that has been sterilized from our lives, but it’s on our minds today. It’s not helpful to burry those thoughts and ignore them. We need to be able to talk about death in healthy ways under the guidance and teaching of the Bible. That’s the topic of today’s podcast, “We need to Talk About Death.” Listen to this episode here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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"You Are What You Do" by Daniel Im

You Are What You Do: and Six Other Lies About Work, Life, & Love by Daniel Im (B&H, 2020) might die an unfortunate death simply because of its release date. It's a book about gig economy and all the lies we but into from work. Thanks to a global pandemic, more people are out of work than any living person has ever experienced, and the gig economy has imploded. We're all quarantined at home. Musicians, Uber drivers, and hundreds of other side jobs have been sidelined. 

But for a moment, let's imagine there is no coronavirus.  

Daniel Im filled his book full of examples that do an excellent job expressing the lies we believe. There's no doubt Im has identified and explained the problem (well, the pre-pandemic problem anyway). However, he did such a good job expressing the problem, his effort to point to the solution came up lacking. Each chapter includes some discussion about the answer, as does the final chapter. Yet, we all know and feel the problem. Instead, Im could have spent half the pages on the issue and tapped into what we already know. Then, with the remaining available pages, he could have given us more of what we're missing--the answer.  

Don't get me wrong, Im expressed and identified the lies with laser precision. It's impossible to miss them after reading his book. But there's a bigger problem. We're in a pandemic, and the economy has the potential to look very different very soon. Most of his examples are irrelevant now. Much of the nation is sitting in their homes, with their family, learning all the things Im suggested, only they are in the school of a new reality.  

I read the book just as the first cases were cropping up in the US. It made sense. It was spot on. But as I'm finally getting around to write a review, I can't think about how disconnected the book may now be. That's unfortunate on many levels. But who could have predicted such a thing?  

Here’s a brief video. In it, Daniel Im discusses the book.

Unscripted: "On the Grocery Store Frontline"

The frontline of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is found at hospitals and grocery stores. Who would have thought that the local grocer would be serving in such a vital role during a global pandemic? What’s going on at the grocery store right now? What’s it like serving others while everyone else is staying home and staying safe? What ministry opportunities are open to Christians serving in this industry during this challenging time?

Jeremiah 29:7 instructs God’s people to serve and bless the community because God’s people benefit and are blessed when they are concerned about the wellbeing of their city. Acts 17:26-29 teaches us that we live and work where we do, when we do for God’s glory. Maybe the Christian grocer and Christian nurse are doing more in the pandemic than the Christian preacher?

Bryan Catherman linked up with Josiah Walker, the Store Director of a locally-owned grocery store called Lee’s Marketplace. He opened a new store only a couple months before the pandemic hit Utah. Then there was an earthquake. Listen to this episode, “On the Grocery Store Frontline” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Video Stream Preaching" (with Dr. David Allen)

What do preachers need to know as we’re all trying to figure out how to preach to an empty room and a video stream? What should the congregation think about the sermon over video delivery during the coronavirus pandemic? What should change? What should remain the same? How can we do this better? Do we need to improve, and if so, why?

Dr. David Allen, the dean of School of Preaching, author, and preacher joined Bryan Catherman and Jared Jenkins on Salty Believer Unscripted to talk about preaching and the video stream. This has became a two-part podcast because after we discussed ways to think about streaming and preaching, the guys asked what we should think about preaching a year from now in light of this trying season. Listen to the first episode, “Video Stream Preaching,” here:

In the second part of this discussion, Dr. Allen discussed the lessons we must learn from this season. What will preaching look like one year from now? What should it look like? Are there things we might need to change or add to preaching classes in the seminaries? The answers have a lot to do with how we think about preaching. Listen to the second part, “Preaching Lessons We Need 1 Year From Now,” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Is This the End of the World?" (With Dr. Malcolm Yarnell)

People are talking about the end of the world. On top of COVID-19/coronavirus, Salt Lake City was shaken by a 5.7 earthquake followed by more than 100 after shocks. Store shelves are empty. “Zombie apocalypse” is a phrase that comes up in conversation a little more. As our thinking moves toward end-times topics, how should we talk about eschatology (the study of end-times) with others? Suddenly, the book of Revelation is getting more attention. How should we approach this book?

Bryan Catherman and Jared Jenkins sat down with Dr. Malcolm Yarnell to talk about how it all fits together within a Christian worldview. Dr. Yarnell is a Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Southerwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the teaching pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas. Listen to this episode, “Is This the End of the World?“ here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Theological Reflection"

Dr. Jim Wilson (Gateway Seminary) joined Jared Jenkins and Bryan Catherman to talk about the importance of taking a pause and doing theological reflection during times of difficult decisions. The Theological Reflection Loop is a tool that requires a pause, then targeted questions in the right order. What’s right? In other words, what does the Bible say? Then it’s necessary to explore theory, other fields of study, and best practices. Finally, one should look at the emotion and relational factors.

Dr. Wilson—author of the book  A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education —shared this tools with us on Salty Believer Unscripted. The guys looked at the tool itself and then applied to to very real possibilities ministry leaders are facing during this season of coronavirus. In addition, we discussed what’s happening with the Doctor of Ministry program at Gateway Seminary. Dr. Wilson is the director of the program.

Listen to this episode of our series, “Fear Not!” below. It’s called “Theological Reflection.”

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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In addition, if you’d like to get a better understanding of how the reflection loop works, watch this video by Dr. Wilson:

Unscripted: "Lead Us Not Into Temptation"

Bryan Catherman and Jared Jenkins discuss the reality of increased the temptation to sin during this season of shelter-in-place. The pornography industry is already reporting a serious spike in web traffic. There’s greater opportunity for increased incidents of domestic violence, especially with nobody connecting or checking up with each other. And it doesn’t have to be so extreme. Snapping at our children, eating too much, shirking our work-from-home responsibilities, drug use, growing lazy, neglecting the Lord, or any number of other sinful behaviors are likely on the rise. How do we continue to abide in Christ? What does it look like to pray the prayer, “lead us not Into temptation” during the coronavirus? This is the topic of today’s Salty Believer Unscripted podcast. Listen to “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Answers to Your Tough Questions"

Our listeners have great questions and lots of them. Jared Jenkins and Bryan Catherman take a stab at answering 7 or 8 of your questions and they discuss what the pastor’s day looks like these days. What should the Church keep and what should be dropped when this is all over? Do we really need church buildings in the future? Should we do more streaming and on-line ministry in the future? Why don’t denominations just put out one sermon stream rather than having all these individual churches doing sermons online? When does the Church need to take a stand against government mandates and when do we submit? What should we be looking for as we watch for the return of Christ?

Listen to this episode, “Answers to Your Tough Questions” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Where is God When Bad Things Happen?"

Dr. Travis Kerns from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was our guest on Salty Believer Unscripted. Today Bryan, Jared, and Travis discussed the question, “Where is God when bad things happen?” with the coronavirus and an earthquake specifically in view. What are we to think about God with everything that’s going on? They also discussed what might be behind the motivation for all the stockpiling and preparation purchases at the grocery stores. Listen today’s podcast, “Where is God When Bad Things Happen?” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: "Less Fear More Love"

In this episode of Salty Believer Unscripted, Jared Jenkins and Bryan Catherman discuss the Utah earthquake on top of an already challenging environment.  Coronavirus has got the world in a state of fear.  An earthquake doesn't help.  How should Christians respond?  Where should we find hope and comfort?  What should we think about the missing trumpet on the Maroni statute on the LSD Temple? Is making jokes about all this helpful?  How can we love others as Christ has called us to love?  So many questions. Maybe you might find this conversation helpful. Listen to this episode of our Fear Not! series, “Less Fear More Love” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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Unscripted: Coronavirus and Acts 2:42-47

Bryan Catherman and Jared Jenkins sat down to record a timely podcast (if there is such a thing in light of all the changes happening right now). They are looking at what believers might think about coronavirus/COVID-19 and how Acts 2:42-47 should inform us. We want to encourage you to take some time and listen in to this conversation. (And also, now you can see our “hi-tech” studio and gear!) Listen to the podcast, “Coronavirus and Acts 2 Today” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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The Spector of Fear Doesn't Have to be Scary

For years I have taken tremendous comfort in James 1:2-4. Those verses read, "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing."

I've experienced trials in life. Perhaps you have too. In most of the tests I have endured, it always seems that there was help out there, coming. Even when we have regional emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, or forest fires, other people from safe places come running to help. Funds come pouring in to rebuild. When I was in Iraq during the first year of the war, there were rolling blackouts, no gasoline, and limited food, but there was hope. Resources were pouring in from outside. Refugees run toward hope, no matter how hard things get.   

Some in our communities haven't yet experienced fearful unknowns as an adult. There have been scares before. The aftermath of 9-11. Y2K. The Cold-war. The civil unrest of the '60s and the Vietnam War draft. Just think about the four years men and women were rationing and growing victory gardens while sending off their family members to die during WWII. They were afraid of the real threat of Nazi and Japanese domination.  

Now think about some of these same things for the people who were a little closer. Ever read the Diary of Ann Frank? Have you ever stopped to think that people lived through and rebuilt Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Imagine trying to raise a family in Vietnam in the late '60s. Remember how Communist-Russia had food shortages and sickness? I often think about how hard it must have been for the average Iraqi I encountered. And the victims of ISIS, let's not even get started with that one.  

Right now, it feels like we are in a crushing trial. It seems scary. We're worried about all our idols. But this is not the first time God's people have seen trials. Church history is full of trials, at levels much worse than this. The Bible is loaded with examples. But the Bible is also full of God's promises, instruction, and encouragement. James 1:2-4 is but one example.  

Brothers and sisters, I know this is scary. I know it looks like things could get worse. I know that's hard to hear; I don't even like typing those words. But there is one from a safe place here to help. Jesus has this, and He has you, even as the idols are crumbling and true believers tested. 

How? 

Take a good look at the things you think and believe right now. What's true? What's speculation? What's a lie? Are you filling your head and heart with lies? Are you speaking those lies to yourself? That's darkness. Jesus is Light that's come into the world, and the darkness must flee. What is His Truth? What does His Word speak about the lies in your head and heart? Are you filling your soul with His Words? Are you spending as much time hearing God's Truth from His Bible as you spend scanning social media and the news? Are you resting in God's Truth? If not, might now be the best time to start?  

Here's a practical tool to help you speak the Truth of God to yourself. Likely it's time for a refresher. And I suspect you have a little extra time. Why not watch the video and see if you might find hope, comfort, and courage in Jesus Christ. 

For the Kingdom!
Bryan Catherman

There's Got to Be a Better Church Planting Conference Out There

In May of 2020, the church I planted will celebrate her 5th birthday (if that's an appropriate way to say that). Most church planters, if they are like me, have been to more than a few conferences focused on church planting. Much like many of the books written on the same topic coming to the end of a church-planting conference is often disappointing, maybe even discouraging. Why?  

It's great to fellowship with other planters. Swag is usually good. Networking is fruitful. So what's the problem? I think it's because most church planting conferences and church planting books focus on best practices. If you've been to a church planting conference, you know what I mean. 

It starts with the speakers. No conference is going to find some guy who planted a church that took two years to grow to 60 and then went along like that for 15 years. No. What the conference wants (as do the planters if they are honest) is a big-name planter who was surprisingly blessed to plant one church that ended up tremendously well attended, really fast, and stayed huge with ease. It doesn’t hurt if were branded well and the lead pastor is cool. The same is true for the breakout session speakers. Then the conference assigns these speakers topics that hinge not only on best church planting practices of the past, but subjects in which the speakers have excelled beyond what most planters can ever experience.  

After hearing all these best practices, the planters leave feeling inadequate to do the work the Lord called them to do. I've left a few conferences feeling like any story I could tell would be the "What Not to Do" breakout and the "How to be a Mediocre Church Planter" book.  

But what if there was a different way?  What if there was a different conference?

I would be interested in the church planter conference that didn't require every speaker to be a successful, popular church planter. One where experts in actual tools for ministry could share the tool, and then the planter (who should be more than capable of thinking and processing) could apply the tool and the training as needed, if at all.   

I'm thinking about breakouts that offer instructions for sermon preparation with limited time. Maybe biblical counseling tools. Church administration help. How about a lawyer to discuss the changing issues brought by cultural shifts? What about discipleship tools that create more than future church planters, but instead faithful saints who love Jesus and bring Him glory? Could the main sessions be more like T4G sessions that bring instruction from God's Word rather than best practice success stories that, even if repeated perfectly, won't likely produce the same results? After five years, that's the conference this church planter is looking for.  

Allow me to provide an example. Imagine if Dr. Wilson were a breakout speaker on the topic of theological reflection. (Most young church planters probably don't know who Dr. Wilson is unless they did seminary work at Gateway Seminary, but that doesn't matter.) Dr. Wilson has recently written a book called A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education  (Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan Academic, 2020). He has taught doctoral candidates theological reflection for years. I've sat under his instruction and found it extremely helpful, especially in church planting. 

Watch the following sample video of Dr. Wilson discussing what theological reflection is and how it's a helpful ministry tool. (He is a dynamic speaker and teacher in the classroom environment, so please overlook that lack of back-and-forth engagement because it's a video format rather than a breakout.) While you watch this video, notice that it doesn't require his story. It requires his expertise. And he appeals to Scripture before he appeals to practice. That's what church-planters need! (Also, you may notice that I selected an example that just so happens to pit best practices against theological reflection. Yes. That was intentional. You’re welcome.)  

Maybe I'm alone in this. Perhaps I'm the only church planter who is growing tired of the nearly-impossible best practices church planting conferences. Could I be the single church planter who has left a church planting conference feeling inadequate? I don't think so.  

Therefore, I'm on the lookout for something different. If you know about a conference like I'm suggesting, please let me know.  There’s got to be a better church planting conference out there, right?

It's the Darkness that Changes, Not the Gospel

The gospel is seen brightest against the darkest backdrop.   

Nothing has taught me the truth of this more than church-planting in Rose Park (a neighborhood in Salt Lake City). We can find brokenness everywhere, but pastoring Redeeming Life in a broken community has put it front-and-center in my ministry. Suicides and suicide interventions, loss of family members and babies, illness, cancer, arrests, depression, and all sorts of things are just part of the ministry of a pastor. Sin still abounds, even in the church. Sexual immorality, greed, lack of forgiveness, anger, gossip, backbiting, and so-on. We have that, too.  

But recent events have reminded me that the brightness of the gospel doesn't change. Instead, we find the change in the depravity of the backdrop. The gospel is consistent, always.   

The other thing that these events have reminded me is that no matter how bright the gospel and how dark the backdrop, blind eyes still see nothing. God must open eyes if anyone is ever to see the gospel. Our job is to shine the gospel brightly--lifting it high, not putting it under the bed, or keeping it covered by a basket. Yet, as a Christian, I see the backdrop and the bright-shining-gospel.  

Not long ago, my friend shot his ex-wife and her fiance. The fiance is dead, the ex-wife is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds and emotional trauma, and my friend is gone too. Five children, parents, siblings, other family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers will forever remember February 7th and weep. It's a dark backdrop.  

Since the day we moved into the neighborhood, I've been praying for my neighbors and their three children. We've broke bread together. Their kids and our kids play together. They've attended church with us a few times, and we've driven their girls to our student ministry. We read the Bible together, and I've discussed the beautiful good news of Jesus Christ. As I do with everyone I pastor, I've called them to repentance and encouraged them to turn to Christ. I believe we've shined the gospel into their dark world.  

Blindness? Maybe. It isn't very easy to see if the seeds of the gospel have germinated. Turning to worldly hope in an ever-darkening world may not bring them to any light. The light of the World is Jesus, and there is no other Light. Yet it seems they, like so many others, sought light elsewhere.  

I mourn my friend and neighbor. I weep for what will come of all the children involved. I'm sad. But my heart breaks even more for those of us who are not blind to the beautiful light of the gospel but still seem content with the dark backdrop. 

The closer we get to the gospel, the lighter and lighter the backdrop becomes. The gospel pushes out the darkness. It must flee! So why do those of us who can see the light neglect to move closer to it? We should be like moths. Instead, we seem okay with some of that darkness. But from experience, I can promise you: darkness only breeds more darkness.   

Instead, hear the gospel. See the gospel. Run to Jesus, grab on, and never let go. Hear the words and see the light of 1 John 1:5. "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

SBU: "Talk Amongst Yourselves (Luke 13:1-5 & Proverbs 1:1-7)

Join Bryan Catherman and Jared Jenkins as they discuss Luke 13:1-5 and Proverbs 1:1-7. The first Scriptures help us address the questions we have about when bad things happen. How do we make sense of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and the others on board? What about the tower that fell and killed 18 people? How about other tragic events? Jared and Bryan take some time to talk about how Luke 13 speaks into disasters. Then they look at Proverbs 1:1-7. Is knowledge and wisdom a created thing? From where do these things come? God has an answer. Listen to this episode of Salty Believer Unscripted here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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SBU: "Talk Amongst Yourselves" (Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11, and the Rapture)

In this episode of Salty Believer Unscripted, Josiah Walker and Bryan Catherman discuss Scripture verses they once understood differently than they do today. Context is king! They look at Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11, and Jesus’ discussion of the end times. Listen to this episode of our “Talk Amongst Yourselves” series here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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SBU: "Talk Amongst Yourselves" (Pharaoh's Hard Heart and Deuteronomy 9)

Josiah Walker joined Bryan Catherman to talk about tools for keeping up with a reading plan, Pharaoh’s hard heart, and Deuteronomy 9. In this series, “Talk Amongst Yourselves” is simply about selecting a passage of Scripture that the speakers thought was interesting, convicting, or compelling from that day’s devotional reading. In this episode, Josiah discussed some thoughts from God hardening Pharaoh’s heart and how God seems to have the entire thing rigged. Bryan shared some thoughts on Deuteronomy 9. Listen to this episode, “Pharaoh’s Hard Heart and Deuteronomy 9” here:

Find more podcasts like this, as well as many interviews with Christian pastors, professors, authors, and others from all across the US and Canada on our Salty Believer Unscripted page. And be sure to subscribe to the Salty Believer Unscripted on your favorite podcast app, or use these links:
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A Guide to Theological Reflection by Jim L. Wilson and Earl Waggoner

Wilson, Jim L., and Earl Waggoner.  A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan Academic, 2020.  

Almost as if going back to my doctoral studies, Jim Willson and Earl Waggoner have provided us with a look into the process of theological reflection in ministry courses and field education. Their book is titled, A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education, published by Zondervan Academic in 2020. It's a textbook, of sorts, but it's not overly complicated or robust. A manual might be a better way to think about the book, only add some theological and philosophical underpinnings. It's much more than a how-to, but it certainly includes instruction and examples.  

The back cover claims, "It [the book] provides direction for students, ministers-in-training, mentors, and advisors, laying a theoretical foundation for theological reflection and giving step-by-step instructions for its practical implementation." The pages between the front and back covers achieve this claim.  

The first section of the book offers a look at what theological reflection is, and in many ways, what it is not. Definitions are discussed, biblical precedence and grounding offered, and a survey of previous models provide the foundation for their Reflection Loop model. The second section--and the bulk of the book-- is an offering of tools and instruction for using, teaching, and implementing theological reflection, specifically the Reflection Loop model. In this section, artifacts (as they call them) and examples from students help demonstrate the various tools. (Full disclosure: mine and some of my peer's theological reflection during our time at Gateway Seminary were used as examples. They are genuinely from actual students using real theological tools.)  

I used something similar to the Four Task model for theological reflection during my Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and Dr. Jim Wilson taught me the McCarty model while I was studying under his leadership at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (now called Gateway Seminary.) It was clear that Dr. Wilson was evaluating the McCarty model and working on what eventually become the Reflection Loop model. While somewhat similar to other models, the Reflection Loop does indeed add stronger components to theological reflection. And after explaining the model, the examples and instruction drive home the value of Wilson and Waggoner's model. 

Learning and practicing theological reflection was extremely valuable during my time at Gateway, and now the same tools and instruction are available in A Guide to Theological Reflection.  I can't imagine the book will be the next popular read for every-day pastors. Still, I do believe the material in these pages would sharpen the pastor in most areas of his ministry if he were to read this book and practice more theological reflection. Anyone engaging in ministry field-training should consider implementing the tools found in the pages of Wilson and Waggoner's work. And professors responsible for internships and boots-on-the-ground learning should incorporate this book into their planning and mentorship. CPE and chaplain instructors might also benefit from reading this book. Even pastors implementing internships or residencies with their churches could use A Guide to Theological Reflection. 

Purchase A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education by Jim L. Wilson and Earl Waggoner here. 

Book Recommendation: From & Before God by Sugel Michelén

Michelén, Sugel.  From & Before God: A Practical Introduction to Expository Preaching. Nashville, Tenn: B&H, 2019. 

In a time when preachers seem more concerned with giving their hearers a high-five than they are about giving them the meaningful, life-changing, Truth of the Word of God, Sugel Michelén's work, From & Before God: A Practical Introduction to Expository Preaching is a liferaft in a shipwreck. Not that the hearers in the congregation are any better. Too often, they are trying to save the deck chairs while the boat is breaking apart, asking, even demanding a high-five from the preacher. But if done correctly, expository preaching is the best safeguard from this disaster. 

Michelén gives us a 250-page book in three parts. Part one is the theological grounding for preaching, especially expository preaching. Part two dives down a little deeper into the nuts and bolts of expository preaching. And part three is practical instruction for preparing and delivering expository sermons. Following part three is a sample sermon on Exodus 17:1-7 that the author and reader built along the way.  

Before going on, here's a brief video recommendation I did for this book: 

In many ways, From & Before God is an expanded version of David Helm's book Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God's Word Today. With the extra pages, Michelén provided a more extensive focus for the broader opportunities for where preachers might preach, a how-to with practical examples, and an expanded argument for this kind of preaching. He also brought in extensive support from other sources. The recommended reading list in Michelén's book might be one of the most solid lists on preaching I've found to date.  

Also encouraging is the origin of this book. This author is not another American telling the rest of the world how to preaching. Sugeal Michelén is from the Dominican Republic, and a quick YouTube search will yield a cornucopia of his expository sermons in Spanish.   

Mark Dever wrote the introduction, and David Helm, Joel Beeke, Bryan Chapell, Paul Washer, John MacArthur, D. A. Carson, and others have already recommended this book. Although not as significant, I add my name to that list.  From & Before God is an excellent book for preachers just getting started and preachers who have been preaching for many years. It might also be worth reading if you listen to sermons and what to have a better foundation for what a sermon should be.   

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Does Everyone Get Saved in the End?

As a teacher of the Bible and a pastor of a local church in an unChristian area, I get lots of questions. My wife and I recently had a lost person ask if everyone gets saved in the end.  The gentleman even had some thought that Satan, a fallen angel would be saved too.  This in part because there are many in the area where I pastor who believe angels are humans in a preexistent state who have yet to receive a physical body or have returned to heaven after death but able to be messengers back to earth.  This idea rejects the Bible's teaching that angels are a different species than mankind.  In this line of thinking, if everyone gets saved, than Satan must saved too.  Additionally, the man tried to use Scripture to justify his pseudo-question/argument, except he twisted the Scripture.  

Universalism is widely believed, especially among the false-gospel practiced in my part of the country. It should be discussed and the Bible should be studied to see God’s Truth. While there are many ways to respond to such questions, here’s a look at how I approached it on this particular occasion.  

Question.

"If in the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, does that mean everyone will be saved to include the devil?

Answer.

In short, the Bible does not teach that everyone will be saved. There are Scriptures about those who will be cast out. There are strong warnings for a reason. Bowing and confessing to God that he is who he claims to be is not the same as repenting and believing by faith rather than at the moment one is standing before the all-powerful Judge. Furthermore, angles will not be saved, and angels long to look into salvation reserved for humankind.

The longer discussion requires that we explore Scripture. I suggest opening your Bible and reading the chapters and verses in question first, then looking at my commentary. My commentary should only serve as a guide to see God's Word, but see God's Word, we must. So read that first and dig into that.

First, the context of Romans 14 (one of the places the Bible mentions every knee bowing) has to do not so much with salvation, but unity and who judges. Romans 14:1 opens by saying it's not worth disputing with a weaker brother but that we should have unity. An example is given about food laws. But in the end, God knows what's right and wrong, and God's Word and Revelation is the final authority. "In the end, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God" (Romans 14:10).

The Judge we will stand before will be recognized as the true Judge, fair, and powerful. Even if His sentence is for outer darkness, we will know it's a correct sentence. Then Paul appeals to Isaiah 45:23, from which is where the idea of every knee bowing before an all-powerful judge comes.

Isaiah 45 and 46 are about how those who rejected God and fought against Israel will one day see how wrong they were. While standing in front of the true God, they will see how their false idols were nothing and of no value. It is here in verse 23 that God says that every knee will bow and every tongue will swear and allegiance to God. However, verse 25 says all who enraged against God will come to him but be put to shame. The picture here is the guilty who rejected and fought against God are now trying to say, "Oops, yeah, you were right. I'll be on your team now." But God isn't going to let that fly. Jesus paid the price for our sins, but throughout the New Testament, we're called to repent and believe in Christ, not change our ways in the final courtroom.

We also see that Paul used Isaiah 45:23 in Philippians 2:10-11; only here, he is specifically referring to Christ and calling Jesus Lord. All will see that Jesus is Lord and bow down, but that does not mean they are confessing, in faith, belief, and repentance for the salvation of sins. At the judgment, it's too late.

If if were true (which it is not) that every person was going to be saved, how do we make sense of the overwhelming warnings about a coming hell and punishment? Here are but ten worth consideration:

Isaiah 66:22-24
Daniel 12:1-2
Matthew 18:6-9
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 9:42-48
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Jude 7
Jude 13
Revelation 14:9-11
Revelation 20:10, 14-15

There are many more. And if all were going to be saved, why would John the Baptist warn that the ax is already at the base of the tree and every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10, Luke 3:9)?

In Luke 13:23, someone asked Jesus if only a few people would be saved? If everyone were saved in the end, this would be the moment Jesus would say so. However, consider what Jesus said:

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, 'I don't know you or where you're from.' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' But he will say, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you're from. Get away from me, all you evildoers!' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown out" (Luke 13:24-28).

Getting back to the question, it would seem that every knee bowing is not indicating salvation. According to the Bible, every person will not be saved. And there is a clear Scripture about the end of the devil.

Revelation 20:10 says, "The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."

The fate of sinners is not salvation but damnation. However, there's good news throughout the New Testament too. It's best summed up in John 3:16: "For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." Jesus suffered the death and damnation that all who believe in Christ and calls him Lord in this life (letting call all the shots) will not be cast out, but be in the presence of God forever.