Pastor's Blog

1. Recapture the Wonder, by Ravi Zacharias

Ranking: 3 Liked                         Best for: inspiration

I was hoping for something more. Maybe I was just feeling kind of spiritually empty and seeking a book to rekindle or refill me. I like Ravi's writings. This may not be in his top ten, but it is good. There are keen insights, sound teachings, practical directions. He writes on the popular level which makes this pleasant fireside reading before bedtime. Worth getting.

2. The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Translated by Edward Fitzgerald

Ranking: 3 Liked   

This will make some people wonder about me. I remember reading this in school, memorizing a particular rubai, which never left me. I thought it was Hindu philosophy, but learned that it is probably Islamic, written back about 1100 A.D. The Temperance Movement in the US called it in disgust a Bible for Drunkards. No, I'm not turning to another religion nor am I taking up drinking. But it has some interesting thoughts about life and fate and eternity. Sometimes a non-Christian song or story or sonnet has great insight into how empty life is, taken as it is.

3. Certainty  , by Dr. Grant Richison

Ranking: 2. Didn't like Best for: polemics

The 1900's brought us the battle between liberalism and fundamentalism. From that, a "spectrum" was developed. That is, a line was drawn upon which theologians, preachers and churches could be placed. In the middle was a measuring tool or issue: modernism. If you saw it as evil or dangerous and developed your theology in a negative or reactive stance against it, you were placed on the right side of the line. The more you argued against or stood opposed the further right you were. "Fighting fundamentalists" usually saw nothing but evil in modernism, and chose not to have anything to do with anyone who even slightly differed with them. In fact, they often practised 'second level' separation, by separating even from other Christians who might be friendly or associate with the far left, the liberals.

The issue today is post-modernism You are now placed on the line relative to that middle. Evangelicals (who in the other spectrum would be to the right but not far right) are now dividing over this issue. Those who think or act somewhat open to or in acceptance of this philosophical stance, are placed to the left. If you are very open or even adoptive of the methodology of post-modernism, you are very left. The Emergent Church would be placed there. This book goes very right. Richison sees nothing but total disaster coming. And he wants us to be very aware of evangelicals who are flirting with or open to or accepting of anything post-modern.

He's not wrong in his concerns. But he's very one sided. And the whole debate is not over. The book has a touch of fundamentalistic attitude which bothers me. But what made me dislike it was that he took 300 pages to say what 30 or so could have done. It turns into a bit of a rant with repetitious ramblings. There is good stuff here to think about, but it gets tiring dragging through page after page to find it.

David C. Slauenwhite

Just had a birthday! It's been a riot. Everything has gone crazy. I think I'm losing my mind.

My cell phone showed my son's number on a call display. I took that to mean he had tried to call me and somehow I didn't hear it. It listed the call at 8:35 am. He never calls me on my cell phone. . . and not at that hour on any phone. I figured something is wrong. There were no answers to my calls to his house. At his office, the children's pastor said he wasn't in yet, but should be in minutes. After thirty minutes and no call back, I just knew it had to be bad. I called my daughter, while my wife waited anxiously to hear what was wrong. She was fine and knew of no problems, but now she was nervous. She started a series of calls to find out where he was.

Then he calls me, wanting to know what's up? He didn't call me at all, previously. My daughter calls on the other line. My administrative assistant tells her everything is fine. I'm confused. Apparently my phone dialled him and he didn't get the call because he wasn't home. But I didn't dial the number, so it must be that the phone wasn't locked and I pushed a button which automatically called him and then it flashed a note showing a failed phone call. That I misread as his calling me. So from my inability to understand these stupid new technology tools, I created a major panic throughout my entire family, and pulled my office staff into it as well.

Numbers of people have given me cards. Thank you. I got one card signed by numbers of women, left in my mailbox. I didn't recognize several of the names. My wife looked them over. I asked my administrative assistant for an interpretation. Putting together the names of church people we recognized, we were able to locate the card as having come from a home study group led by some of our church ladies, but attended by other ladies who don't regularly or never attend our services. But they all signed, Happy Birthday Pastor. That mystery was solved with a good explanation.

A good friend sent a text message wishing me a happy birthday. In good fun and questionable taste, he added the comment that I was now one year nearer both my retirement and death. Talk about mix messages resulting in mixed feelings. My wonderful daughter sent me a video song from the internet, which sang a silly song about getting older and acting stupider. Very funny! She enjoyed it very much. I shared it around. Everybody who saw it liked it. I'm still doing an evaluation of it, and wondering if I should get tested. . . for something or everything.

My wife put on her facebook that I've had a birthday and that I'm getting older. Dozens of people sent her congratulations. What is that supposed to mean? I checked my life insurance: it says I'm covered until 70. That made me feel a bit better; I don't have to be disposed of real soon as my coverage grants me a few more safe years.

I stared at this blank page for a long time this morning, wondering what to write. Is there anything at all left in my mind, or has it gone? Finally, I thought I'd share my birthday experience with you. I'm still alive, laughing! Whether I'm sensible: that's a matter of opinion.

David C. Slauenwhite

1. Real Marriage by Mark & Grace Driscoll

Ranking: 3 Liked it       Best for: Marriage perspectives

Driscoll is a popular preacher with a large following. Often, popularity also creates an opposing group with intense dislike. Being cautious doesn't create followers or detractors. But being very dogmatic or very passionate and somewhat controversial will divide the crowd. Driscoll has done all that. This book, written with his wife, has won accolades and earned stinging criticism.

Just now, it is very trendy to write and preach on marriage. And with our society's obsession with sex, hitting that topic assures a hearing. Driscoll takes it all on, guaranteeing his book will sell. Having enough books on all this, I wasn't interested in buying this until one of his most hostile critics did a merciless critique, with the ultimate condemnation being his declaration that he would not permit his wife to read it. Wow! Well, now I couldn't resist; I bought it.

How does anyone in this day and age censure his wife's reading? I told my wife she shouldn't read it either, hoping she would. She showed no interest in either the book or my orders. I never could figure out how to manipulate her. Anyway, I think the book is interesting, informative in many ways, with some valid insights.

The controversial chapter is about sex: surprise! He answers, "Can We____?"   I think it is one of his weakest chapters, but only because I've read better answers in other books. I don't agree with all he says there, taking exception to one issue in particular. But I won't discard the whole book over just that. So, to his worst critic I read I'd have to say: what's your hang up?

2. James by Thomas Manton

Ranking: 3 Liked it        Best for: Preparing Bible expository sermons

I've been preaching through the book of James. This is a Puritan preacher from the 1600's. Typical of that time and style, he is long winded , detailed and sometimes wearies you. But he added pastoral insights to my sermons. If you're an expository preacher, get at least the best Puritan writer of that day who expounds on the book you're doing. That will give you pastoral insights to make your preaching full. Digging it out of the commentary will probably drive you crazy. Add to that other resources. For my "James" series, entitled, 'Living from the Inside Out,' I used The Expositor?s Bible Commentary volume for a general overview, Barclay's Daily Study Bible volume for quick word study ideas, Evans (ed) The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary for contextual and cultural gleanings, and Peter Davids' Commentary on James from the New International Greek Testament Commentary for my Greek exegetical analysis. Using a broad spectrum of resources ensures a balanced sermon that carries solid exegesis, contextual relevance to then and now, insightful ideas that gain interest and practical applications that make it worth listening to.

David C. Slauenwhite

We're showing a series of videos on Sunday nights from the set, 'Laughing Your Way to a Better Marriage.'  Thirty years ago I would probably have had my credentials reviewed for this, or at least been the subject of gossip throughout the District. I'm sure the church would have requested my resignation: not just this church, any church! Certainly after the session last night, I would have been in big trouble. It was about sex! Let me elaborate, it was about sex being practised within marriage and about the devastating results on a marriage when pornography and masturbation invade the relationship.

Well, that should get your attention. And yes, you can get the video set by simply googling the title where on the site they are for sale. And no, we are not loaning the set out nor are we going to break the copyright by producing copies for all the many, oh so many, requests for them. Come and sit in on the sessions or buy your own set.

Up front, the attraction of the video set is two fold. Obviously, if you speak on sex you will get immediate interest. That says something that shouldn't be ignored. But this teacher is funny. So combining an interesting topic that most people are almost obsessed with to a hilarious presentation style, and you've got a winner. Showing five minute clips on Sunday mornings for a few weeks prior guarantees a crowd. . . and that we're getting.

Why would this have put me in trouble thirty years ago? We weren't ready to be real. The church clung to a false image of perfection. The topic was taboo then, even somewhat in society. Problems were hidden back in the good ole days. And yes, things weren't as bad then. Actually, preachers, well some at least, did address these issues then, but in more conservative tones and with great restraint. We felt that our sinful neighbours might do bad things, but we believed that you wouldn't find that kind of thing in the church. And if it turn up, we turfed them out!

Our culture is sex crazed. Every wall is down and now used as a staircase to everything. There is not a sexual sin of any sort that I know of, from adultery to group sex to orgies to bestiality to child abuse to rape and even worse. . . that I have not had dumped onto my desk as a pastor from someone sitting regularly in my pews, in the several churches I've served. Whatever is in the world is also now found in the church. So we can ignore it or we can face it. Interestingly, it is the older generation who are most being helped by the video series, and expressing appreciation.

If you're shocked that I've found such sexual sin in churches over the years, and wonder if that's just because I've been unfortunate to get the worse congregations imaginable, no!   If you become a pastor who preaches the Word, loves the people, becomes available, offers grace, and if you are seen as safe. . .you will have broken people come for healing. Our pews are full of them.

Today, we have to speak on what is there. Sex is a beautiful gift from God. A positive and grace filled message needs to be heard. It starts by exposing Satan who distorts the good and destroys our lives. It ends by declaring a God of grace who restores our lives and heals our souls.

David C. Slauenwhite