What does “evangelical” mean? February 24, 2007

Do you identify yourself as an “evangelical?”  Do you know what it means to be “evangelical” in your theology?  I was recently asked to speak in a class on contemporary western religions at CSU.  I was supposed to represent “conservative” or “evangelical” Christianity.  However, I quickly realized during the Q&A that no one really knew what “evangelical” meant.  While there were examples and even caricatures offered by some students, the word was being thrown about without any clear definition. 

Although people might mean different things when they invoke the word “evangelical,” here’s an explanation that I think is both accurate and helpful. (more…)

Homosexuality: A Biblical & Sociological Exploration (Rm 211 @ 9:45) 5-wk seminar, FEB 25-MARCH 25 February 16, 2007

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Daniel Banuelos (contact me @ contactus@timberlinechurch.org)

Dan serves as a professional counselor within academia. He is also the founder of “True Diversity Task Force.”

Whether you are a student, parent, working professional, retired person, or just a ‘couch potato,’ it’s likely that you are being bombarded by our culture with the issue of homosexuality. What questions are there in your mind about this issue? What is its cause? Is the gay life-style a choice, a biological predisposition, or something else? How ought we think biblically and reasonably about such a culturally relevant topic?

This 5-week seminar will equip you to engage our culture on the topic of homosexuality with truth, love, and tact. You’ll learn the tactics of the GLBT movement employed in “diversity” and “tolerance” trainings, as well as how to respond in real-life dialogue.

This short seminar is open to everyone.

February 25: The causation of homosexuality: biology or sociology?
March 4: True diversity: being equipped with the tools to address the issue
March 11: The socialization of homosexuality: tactics of the GLBT movement in education & media
March 18: The Bible & Homosexuality: Setting the Record Straight (taught by Pastor Brent)
March 25: Responding to Objections / Q&A (Pastor Brent & Dan Banuelos)

This class is designed as a 5-week training seminar and will take place Sunday mornings @ 9:45 a.m. in room #211.

Tongues–what’s the difference between “Pentecostal” & “Charismatic?” February 14, 2007

We often hear the terms “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” used interchangeably.  Most of the times these terms are employed to describe a particular worship style or expression in a church worship service.   For the purpose of this post, I’d like to restrict the meanings of “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” to their particular views on the spiritual gift of tongues (speaking in a language not understood by the speaker).  While there are 18 spiritual gifts listed in the New Testament, my focus on this one gift of tongues in no way elevates its importance over the other 17.  I only focus on it here because of the unfortunately controversial and divisive issue it has become.  So, what is the difference between a “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” view on the gift of tongues? (more…)

Who are the “Scribes,” “Sanhedrin,” “Pharisees,” & “Sadducees” in the NT? February 7, 2007

One thing has always puzzled me when moving from reading the Old Testament to the New Testament.  There seems to be an abrupt shifting of gears with regard to the political and social settings.  The backdrop of Jesus’ life in the Gospels involves characters like Scribes, Sanhedrin, Pharisees, and Sadducees.  However, these characters are almost completely absent from the landscape of the Old Testament.  So, what has happened?  How did we get all these new faces?  And who are they? (more…)

Lessons from God to a king . . . to us February 3, 2007

I don’t know if there is any role more prominent in the Old Testament than that of Israel’s king.  In fact, throughout the Old Testament, the future and health of the nation of Israel itself seemed to reply upon whether or not its king was pursuing and obeying God.  So, it’s difficult to overemphasize the weight which God placed upon the person who would hold the scepter in his hand.  Therefore, it seems to me that the instructions which God would have given this leader might have some significance to us today.  We find a short list of directives from God about what the king of Israel is and is not supposed to do.  And I think there’s some significant application to our lives today.

It is in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 that God delivers a handful of lessons to a king.  The first few lessons are in the negative—what the king is not supposed to do—while there is only one in the affirmative. (more…)