Daniel Darling's Blog, page 45

The Way Home: Episode 65 featuring Mindy Belz

Mindy Belz is the senior editor of World Magazine. Her journalism has taken her across the globe. She has covered war on almost every continent. Lately she’s covered the driving of Christians from their ancestral home in places like Syria, Iraq, and Libya. She is also the author of the important new book,  They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East .

Today’s podcast with Mindy features a look at her journalism career, how she grew interested in the story of Christian persecution, and what ISIS wants.

Show Notes

Website: worldmag.com
Twitter: @mcbelz
Book: They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East

Learn more about the 2016 ERLC National Conference here.

Is Speaking Your Mind a Christian Virtue? Ten Thoughts from Scripture

We live in an age where “speaking your mind” is considered a virtue and a hailed as a sign of good leadership. But is this trait something the Bible commends? Should Christians be known for “speaking their mind?”

There are several truths about our speech we should consider from Scripture:

The Bible commends honest speech. Proverbs 6:17 names a “lying tongue” as one of the things God hates. The prophet Zechariah instructed God’s people: “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another. Paul commands the new covenant people of Ephesus, “Let everyone of you speak truth to his neighbor.” (Ephesians 4:25). Lying is a sin, the product of a fallen nature. Lying is the work of the enemy (John 8:44). So truthful speech is the sign of a redeemed heart.
The Bible commends truthful speech for rebuke. Faithful, the Proverbs says, are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6). Flattery is the tool, not of someone looking to deepen a relationship but to leverage proximity for personal gain (Proverbs 29:5). God used the courage of the prophet Nathan to confront David over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:17). Jesus in Matthew 18 gives instructions on redemptive confrontation designed to restore a sinful brother into loving community (Matthew 18). Paul considers this a sign of love, from one brother or sister, to another (Galatians 6:1).
The Bible commends public arguments against sin and heresy. Jesus very publically, throughout the gospels, confronted errant religious leaders. When the heart of the gospel message was at stake, Paul was unafraid to confront Peter publically (Galatians 2:11-13). And much of the New Testament, the inspired canon of Scripture, consists of public letters that contain, at times, stinging rebuke of sin. Paul says that polemics are not only important within the church, at times, but also without, as we are tasked with engaging the reigning worldview arguments and presenting alternative, biblical worldview (2 Corinthians 10:5).
The Bible seems to commend the use of satire and other forms of creative engagement. Elijah playfully taunted the false prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). Jesus employed the use of parables, metaphors, and similes in communicating truth. Paul was often acerbic in his rebuke of the Corinthians. Sharply worded polemics, uplifting satire, and, at times, sarcasm, can be employed in a way that reflects faithful Christian witness. However, this must be done within the boundaries of what is considered civil and wise speech (see below).
The Bible commends civility and respect in speech. In the Scriptures, kindness, respect, and good manners are not simply “nice” things for certain people, but are considered Christian virtues. Peter, in a letter written to address the persecution and marginalization of Christians, exhorts God’s people to be both courageous and civil (1 Peter 3:15). Later Peter reminds us to treat every single human being with dignity (1 Peter 2:17). In the Pastoral Epistles, you will notice that one of the cornerstone characteristics of qualified church leaders is gentleness (Titus 1; 1 Timothy 3).
The Bible commends wise and informed speech. The way we speak is a oft-repeated theme in Scripture. James devotes almost an entire chapter to the power of the tongue (James 3). Words have power. Words matter. Words can either be life-giving or life-crushing. King David’s prayer was for a mouth that offered words that were “acceptable” in the sight of God (Psalm 19:14). Proverbs affirms the value of applying just the right word in the right moment (Proverbs 25:11) and, like James (James 1:19), rebukes those who speak before thinking (Proverbs 17:28; 29:20).
The Bible says that the mouth is a good barometer of the heart. Luke records Jesus words: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45). Words are not neutral; they reflect either good or evil. Nobody can really say, “I didn’t mean that.” It’s better to say, when we misspeak, “Those words come from an unsanctified part of my heart.” What’s more, speaking my mind may not reflect speaking that is true or virtuous, because the Christian mind is in constant state of needing to be renewed by the gospel (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
The Bible commends the wisdom of not sharing everything with everyone all the time. Proverbs says trustworthy people keep confidential information confidential and it is a sign of low character to reveal secrets (Proverbs 11:3). Later, Proverbs extols the “prudent man” who knows to keep information to himself and rebukes the “heart of fools that speak folly” (Proverbs 12:23). Sharing everything all the time to anyone who listens is not a sign of “authenticity” but a sign of foolishness.
The Bible commends humility as a sign of grace. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – this maxim is mentioned three times in Scripture (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6,1; 1 Peter 5:5). What does this have to do with our speech? I tells us, I believe that graceful, measured, civil speech is a sign of God’s grace and proud, boastful speech is a sign of God’s resistance. Humility means speaking with recognition of our own fallenness. It means resisting the urge to speak out of turn. It means we have the self-awareness to know if we are the right person to speak on a particular issue at a particular time.


The Bible commends speech that edifies. Paul, writing to the Ephesians, says that Christians can either speak words that destroy or words that build, words that are given with a desire to build up the body of Christ or words that are wielded as carnal weapons of destruction (Ephesians 4:29). There is a difference, even, between verbal and written engagement meant to crush and winsome polemics meant to inform or rebuke.

So, is “speaking your mind” a Christian virtue? Not if “speaking your mind” implies unfiltered, uninformed foolish talk that hurts and destroys. Let’s pray for Holy Spirit power to seek after God in the way we use the gift of language and pray for repentance when our mouths reveal as-yet unsanctified parts of the heart.

 

image courtesy of Patrick

The Way Home: Episode 64 featuring Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni Erickson Tada is a real-life hero. A diving accident at the age almost fifty years ago might have made her a quadriplegic, but it didn’t destroy her soul. For the next nearly half-decade, Joni has shown the world what it means to suffer well, with pain, to advocate for those who are disabled, and to give human dignity to those who might otherwise be discarded by society. Her ministry, Joni and Friends is broadcast across the country and has donated wheelchairs to disabled people all over the world. She’s been a counselor to Presidents and leaders across the country. Most of all, her and her husband Ken have shown the church what it look like to live in dependence on God. Today Joni sat down with me and discussed human dignity, suffering well, and what has sustained her through many years of ministry.

Show Notes

Website: joniandfriends.org
Twitter: @joniandfriends
Book: A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty and Beyond Suffering Bible NLT: Where Struggles Seem Endless, God’s Hope Is Infinite

Learn more about the 2016 ERLC National Conference here.

The Way Home: Episode 63 featuring Sam Storms

Sam Storms is a reknowned author, scholar, and pastor. He’s the editor of the popular ESV Men’s Devotional Bible and recent Packer on the Christian Life: Knowing God in Christ, Walking by the Spirit I ask Sam about two things: gospel-centered men’s ministry and the impact of J.I. Packer upon his life.

Show Notes

Website: samstorms.com
Twitter: @Samuel_Storms
Book: Packer on the Christian Life: Knowing God in Christ, Walking by the Spirit

Learn more about the 2016 ERLC National Conference here.

The Surprising Power of a Public Apology

“I’m sorry.”

These two simple words from Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House, came rumbling down the Capitol steps, scrolling across social media timelines, and into the news cycle last week.

In a campaign year besotted with the crass and profane, in a culture that seems to rewards pride and hubris, Ryan’s words were a breath of fresh air.

There is little incentive these days for leaders to publicly admit their mistakes. Supporters see this as cowardice and opponents see this as an opportunity to capitalize on weakness.

What Ryan offered, in the midst of a speech on civility, was refreshing. While speaking out against the coarse nature of the presidential campaign, he admitted his own descent, at times, into less-than-inspiring rhetoric. He recalled previous comments about “makers and takers” in society, and confessed that his previous characterizations were born out of ignorance, “I didn’t come out and say all this to be politically correct. I was just wrong.”

When was the last time we heard a famous figure say, with sincerity, “I was just wrong?” Unlike so many public apologies, Ryan didn’t equivocate, didn’t sidestep, didn’t turn his contrition into an attack on his foes. This kind of leadership offers a stark contrast with the bombastic hubris we’ve seen so much of in 2016. Ryan’s humility cuts against the narcissism of our age.

Public contrition is not just important for politicians. It’s important for any of us who hold positions of power. It’s necessary, though sadly rare, for ministry leaders.

A few weeks ago, we saw this kind of public grace exhibited by well-known mega-church pastor, Andy Stanley, A clip of Stanley disparaging the ministry of small churches went viral, resulting in quite a bit of pushback from small church pastors.

Stanley’s response was as refreshing in that it was unequivocal. No hedging. No defensiveness. No explaining. Stanley not only tweeted his remorse, he allowed Christianity Today to interview him further.

For a Christian, a genuine apology is a sign of something deeper going on in the soul, an admission of fallenness, a nod to our need for the redemptive grace found in Christ. Of course, public contrition can be narcissistic and selfish, an opportunity to save face and move on, without any deep reflection. But when authentic, an apology can be empowering. Narcissists may have short-term victories, but in the long haul of leadership, people follow leaders willing to admit what everyone already knows: leaders are human. This is true regardless of the size of the platform. It’s important for national leaders. It’s important for prominent pastors. It’s important for those who lead in obscure positions unseen by the masses.

I’ve found genuine apologies empowering in my own roles as husband, father, executive, and pastor. In Scripture we are told, several times, that God “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34; I Peter 5:5).” I’d rather experience God’s grace than his resistance.

The humility to apologize reflects a heart bent toward God. This is why King David, despite his egregious sins, was considered a man after God’s own heart. If you read Psalm 51, you don’t find a man with his chest puffed out, boasting about sin and eschewing repentance. You find a broken soul. Contrition starts this way, in the heart, as the result of godly sorrow that works repentance. Then it works its way out toward those who’ve been hurt the most.

The kind of courage it takes to publicly apologize is not learned in seminary or in business school or at leadership conferences. Humility is a discipline developed in the school of prayer, forged over a lifetime of self-reflection and dependence on the Spirit of God. The most mature leaders understand that humility is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.

This is why the people worth following are often not those with the loudest voices or the most clever turns of phrase, but those human enough to stand up and say those two simple words.

“I’m sorry.”

photo credit: George Skidmore

The Way Home: Episode 62 featuring Lauren Chandler

Lauren Chandler is a speaker, author, and recording artist. She is married to Matt Chandler, lead pastor of Village Church in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Several years ago Matt was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. This shocking news and subsequent journey through pain and suffering led Lauren to write her latest book,  Steadfast Love . Today Lauren talks about suffering, expectations, and life as a ministry wife.

Show Notes

Website: laurenchandler.com
Twitter: @laurenchandler
Book: Steadfast Love: The Response of God to the Cries of Our Heart

Matt Chandler will be speaking at the 2016 ERLC National Conference. Learn more here.

Human Dignity, Spiritual Leadership, and Madame Secretary: Some Recent Articles

Here are some recent articles I’ve published:

Stop Pitting Pro-Life Causes Against Each Other

For Relevant on the unfortunate tension between those who advocate for pro-life justice and those who advocate for racial justice:

Back in January, those of us in the U.S. celebrated both Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday and Sanctity of Life Sunday. What would it look like for the church to lament both the abortion industrial complex and systematic racial injustice, to confess the sins of abortion and racism, and to offer, for recovering racists and post-abortive women the freedom offered only in the cross of Christ?

Read more here:

How to Get Buy-In From the People You Lead

For Lifeway Pastors on the five things leaders need to help them lead well:

It’s amazing to me how many church leaders discount the important of building relationships with the people they serve. But all the seminary education and vision casting in the world won’t make up for a lack of intentional, one-on-one relationship-building. This is what separates pastors from mere preachers, leaders from title-holders, public servants from politicians.

Read more here:

Why I Watch Madame Secretary

For The Gospel Coalition, a piece on why I enjoy this new CBS drama:

Madam Secretary exposes Americans—comfortable in our cocoons of isolation—to the depth of human suffering and injustice around the globe. At its best, the show argues against both the heady statism that puts complete faith in government and the creeping cynicism that finds nothing redeemable at the highest levels of American power.

Read more here:

photo credit: Froderik Rubensson 

The Way Home: Episode 61 featuring Andy Crouch

Andy Crouch is the executive editor of Christianity Today. He’s the author of several thoughtful and influential works, including Culture-Making, Playing God, and his newest book, Strong and Weak. Andy’s work has been a great influence on my life. Today’s conversation will be a fascinating and interesting discussion of what culture is, how traditions form, what Christianity looks like in a secular age, and how to redeem the use of power. Andy is one of the featured speakers at our upcoming National Conference in Nashville. This conversation is a sneak peak at his forthcoming talk.

Show Notes

Book: Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing
Website: andy-crouch.com
Twitter: @ahc

The Way Home: Episode 60 featuring Jeff Iorg

Dr. Iorg serves as the President of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in California. Prior to joining Golden Gate, he was the Executive Director of the Northwest Baptist Convention. Dr. Iorg began his career in pastoral ministry, pastoring congregations in Missouri and Texas before becoming one of the founding pastors of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Oregon, one of the largest SBC churches in the Northwest.

Today we will talk with Dr. Iorg about his work at Golden Gate seminary, his journey in denominational leadership and about the topic of marriage. For several years now, but especially since last summer, many Christian leaders and commentators have referred to a ‘post marriage’ culture. Dr. Iorg will offer his thoughts on this and how churches and families can encourage and embody the principles of Biblical marriage in a culture that has rejected many of the norms and expectations about marriage that we previously took for granted.

Show Notes

Book: Ministry in the New Marriage Culture
Website: jeffiorg.com
Twitter: @Jeff_Iorg

Also:

The latest edition of Light Magazine
The most recent release from Leland House Press: Women On Life (edited by Trillia Newbell)

The Way Home: Episode 59 featuring Alex Chediak

Nobody knows how to prepare kids for college like Alex Chediak.  Dr. Chediak is a professor of engineering and physics at California Baptist University, holding Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Material Science and Engineering from U.C. Berkeley. He has written several books including, Thriving in College, Preparing Your Teens for College, and his latest, Beating the College Debt Trap. Alex discusses with me how parents and college students can make wise decisions about where to attend college and how to do it without being saddled with a lifetime of debt. Alex offers some very practical and surprising help.

Show Notes

Book: Beating the College Debt Trap: Getting a Degree without Going Broke
Website: alexchediak.com
Twitter: @chediak

Also:

The latest edition of Light Magazine
The most recent release from Leland House Press: Women On Life (edited by Trillia Newbell)