Daniel Darling's Blog, page 5

How to Think About Cooperation

What lines should Christians draw when it comes to their allegiances? How do we understand primary, secondary, and tertiary issues?

I wrote about this at length in my forthcoming book, Agents of Grace which drops May 9th but I wanted to present this here because the way we cooperate with each other is increasingly a topic of conversation among Christians.

First, I think we should be aware of a concept called “theological triage.” It’s a newish term, coined by Dr. Albert Mohler, that describes a not-new idea:

Today’s Christian faces the daunting task of strategizing which Christian doctrines and theological issues are to be given highest priority in terms of our contemporary context. This applies both to the public defense of Christianity in face of the secular challenge and the internal responsibility of dealing with doctrinal disagreements. Neither is an easy task, but theological seriousness and maturity demand that we consider doctrinal issues in terms of their relative importance. God’s truth is to be defended at every point and in every detail, but responsible Christians must determine which issues deserve first-rank attention in a time of theological crisis.

In simple terms, this is the discipline of prioritizing which Christian doctrines are of primary concern and which ones are important, but secondary, and even further, which ones are conventional but tertiary. The Christian church has done this work throughout the ages. Puritan Richard Baxter, for instance, urged folks to dwell on “the essentials” of Christianity:

I like to hear a man dwell much on the same essentials of Christianity . . .it is the essentials and common truths, as I have often said, that we daily live upon as our bread and drink [1] .

John Stott said something similar:

we need a greater measure of discernment, so that we may distinguish between evangelical essentials which cannot be compromised and those adiaphora (matters indifferent) on which, being of secondary important, is not necessary for us to follow[1].”

The first order of business is to recognize that there are doctrines worth fighting for. I know sometimes Christians in this age can get queasy about theological conflict, but the New Testament urges us to contend for these things because this theology is how we properly know and understand and approach God.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells his young protégé Timothy, who was a young pastor of the church of Ephesus, “Fight the good fight of the faith, “Paul urges Timothy, “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12).” In his last letter, before he was to be executed by Rome for the crime of preaching the gospel, Paul declares that he had “fought the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8).” Jude tells us to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3-4).”

So do we know which issues are worth going to the mat for and which issues are worth holding, but about which good Christians may disagree? Again, Dr. Mohler:

First-level theological issues would include those doctrines most central and essential to the Christian faith. Included among these most crucial doctrines would be doctrines such as the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture.

These are doctrines that the Christian church has affirmed and believed for 2,000 years, articulated mainly by the major creeds and councils of the church. I would also argue that anything that is central to the storyline of Scripture falls into this category, including contentious contemporary issues such as the Bible’s clear teaching on sexuality and gender.

These are issues about which the church cannot budge, issues that are part of the Apostolic witness, and issues that we have no authority to revise or reverse. To abandon these is to abandon Christian orthodoxy.

Then there are secondary issues, such as baptism, the role of women in leadership, and other such issues. Faithful Christians can disagree on these issues and still see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. However, these are issues around which denominations and church networks often coalesce, so within those spaces, they are primary issues. My denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, makes the mode of baptism and complementarianism a first-order issue. To be Southern Baptist, you have to adhere to these things, among other distinctives, such as our views on the role of the church and the state. Presbyterians are committed paedobaptists. They disagree with us and thus organize as a different denomination. This is right and good and healthy. I admire few people as much as I admire Tim Keller, but he couldn’t be a member of my SBC church and I couldn’t be a member of his PCA church. That’s healthy. Denominations have a duty to enforce their distinctives and churches have a duty to fellowship with folks who share their distinctives.

Then there are tertiary issues, third-order issues, about which some folks even within the same denomination might disagree, such as soteriology, sign gifts, eschatology, and other such matters. You might even put in here differences in approaches to cultural engagement or how to educate children. We might have deep convictions on these things—I certainly do—but we love and respect and fellowship with folks who come down in a different place.

Now these aren’t always straight lines. Some denominations and fellowships have tertiary issues that are distinctives around which they organize. I don’t think a Calvinist would be at home among Methodists, nor would an Arminian fit in the PCA. This is also healthy.

One thing to consider before we talk about what partnerships look like: I don’t view these divisions, on secondary and tertiary issues, to be unhealthy. I think we learn from the emphases of other traditions. You’ll have to get my book to read more about this, but I think evangelicalism is healthiest when it is made up of denominations catechizing their people in their traditions, yet being open-handed toward the Great Tradition.

Read more here

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

The Way Home Podcast: Coleman M. Ford on Spiritual Formation

Today, we have Coleman M. Ford joining us on The Way Home podcast. Coleman Ford is the assistant professor of Humanities at Texas Baptist College. He has a new book coming out titled “Formed in His Image” where he thoughtfully guides his readers into the depths of spiritual formation. Today, we discuss the definition of terms typically associated with spiritual formation, why we should care, and how we’re formed as Christians. 

Show Notes

Coleman Ford Biography: Coleman has authored several books. He is the assistant professor of Humanities at Texas Baptist College and the assistant professor of Christian Formation and the director of professional doctoral studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He completed his Ph.D. in Church History at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Books: Formed in His Image (2023), A Bond between Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine (2022)

Twitter: @colemanford

Facebook: Coleman Ford

Instagram: @colemanford

If you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givelandcenter

My book Characters of Easter is available as a great study for the upcoming Easter season.

Click here to sign up for my new writing cohort with Chad Poe.

A Church That Moves The World

In a widely read piece for The New York Times last year, conservative writer Nate Hochman chronicled a new trend: politically active conservatives who nevertheless eschew organized religion. “This campaign is also distinctly different from the culture wars of the late 20th century, and it reflects a broad shift in conservatism’s priorities and worldview. The conservative political project is no longer specifically Christian.”

But followers of Jesus, while still involved in the conservative political project, should still be specifically Christian. While we may be co-belligerents with those who might agree with us on certain issues but don’t share our gospel commitments, we must be cautious to let the secularism of some become a catechizing influence.

There is a temptation, in our voting, our speaking to issues, our work for the common good, to see these necessary political arguments and debates as ultimate while growing bored with the rhythms and rituals of local church life. Posting an opinion, crafting public policy, or protesting seem more exhilarating than listening to a sermon or making a meal for a shut-in or volunteering at Vacation Bible School. The big national issues debated online sometimes seem more important or urgent.

These issues matter, but there can be no question where we believe the locus of God’s activity exists. It’s not the courtroom, the capital, or the classroom that Jesus promised would endure through the ages, but the church, whom he has purchased with his own blood.

It is in our humble weekly gatherings—in cathedrals and caves, storefronts and under steeples—where the Spirit chooses to most fully dwell and God chooses to act. It is the witness of the church, where ordinary sinners are regenerated through the power of the gospel, that most impacts the world.

John Stott once wrote:

The Christian life is not just our own private affair. If we have been born again into God’s family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ. But it is no good supposing that membership of the universal Church of Christ is enough; we must belong to some local branch of it. Every Christian’s place is in a local church, sharing in its worship, its fellowship, and its witness.

This isn’t to say that what we do on Sundays is all that matters. No, our weekly gatherings around the word and prayer and sacrament equips us for our lives in the world. But while our calling is always more than what we do within the four walls of our local church, it is never less. By prioritizing the assembling of ourselves together, we enter the week with a gospel-shaped view of what it is God would have us to do to in our families, our communities, and our country.

In fact, recent research by the group Neighborly Faith affirms this. Young evangelicals who attend church are more likely to lend their time and resources to charity and activism. They report that their pastors and small group leaders are the most important influences in their lives. This is healthy.

For those of us who are more politically engaged, our friendships with ordinary Christians in Sunday school and small groups helps bring needed balance and perspective. Most of our fellow believers are likely not as obsessed with every new controversy and every social media storm. Most are busy working, getting their kids to school, and serving God with the people of God around them. Most are not on Twitter. Tight-knit relationships in our local church provide accountability and discipline, formation and friendship that is essential for our life in the world. If we don’t prioritize local church life, our ethics will be shaped by pundits, politicians, and party. Our ethics will be molded to the prevailing social ethos.

Christians should be eager to engage the culture, to participate in the important debates that shape our country. Christians should write columns, run for office, start non-profits, and other activities that promote the common good. Yet we shouldn’t be naive to believe that we can “change the world” by disobeying God’s command to gather, to worship, to participate in the local assembly of believers (Hebrews 10:25). What our country most needs today is not more punditry, but more healthy, prophetic, evangelistic, spirit-filled local churches. As G.K. Chesterton eloquently said, “We do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world.”

Originally appeared in World Magazine. 

The Way Home Podcast: J. D. Greear on Essential Christianity

Today, we have J. D. Greear joining us on The Way Home podcast. J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. He has a new book out titled “Essential Christianity” where he works through the essential truths of the Christian faith. Today, we discuss questions like “what are the things we’re fighting for?” and “what are the things that matter?” to redirect our efforts in fighting for what does matter.

Show Notes

J. D. Greear Biography: Pastor J.D. Greear has authored several books.  He also hosts Summit Life, a daily, 30-minute radio broadcast and weekly NRBTV program. Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Chick-fil-A since January 2022 and recently served as the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Books: Essential Christianity (2023),  Just Ask (2021), What Are You Going to Do with Your Life? (2020), Searching for Christmas (2020), Above All (2019), Not God Enough (2018), Gaining by Losing (2015), Gospel (2011), Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart (2013), and Jesus, Continued… (2014)

Twitter: @jdgreear

Facebook: J. D. Greear

Instagram: @pastorjdgreear

 

If you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givelandcenter

My book Characters of Easter is available as a great study for the upcoming Easter season.

Click here to sign up for my new writing cohort with Chad Poe.

The Way Home Podcast: Jason Thacker on The Digital Age

Today we have Jason Thacker joining us on The Way Home podcast. Jason Thacker is the author of several books including Following Jesus in the Digital Age and The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.  He is a leading expert in the ethics and theology behind how Christians should view and use technology. Today, we discuss how to steward our lives in a digital age.

Show Notes

Jason Thacker Biography: Jason Thacker serves as chair of research in technology ethics and director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. He also serves as an adjunct instructor of philosophy, ethics, and worldview at Boyce College in Louisville, KY. He is a graduate of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. He also holds a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he is currently a PhD candidate in ethics, public theology, and philosophy.

Books: Following Jesus in a Digital Age, The Digital Public Square, A Student’s Guide to Social Media, The Age of AI

Twitter: @jasonthacker

Facebook: Jason Thacker

Instagram: @jasonthacker

 

If you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givelandcenter

My book Characters of Easter is available as a great study for the upcoming Easter season.

Click here to sign up for my new writing cohort with Chad Poe.

The Way Home Podcast: Collin Hansen on Timothy Keller’s Biography

Today we have Collin Hansen joining us on The Way Home podcast. Collin Hansen is an influential Christian leader who just published a new biography about Timothy Keller who founded Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York. Today Collin and I discuss the people who impacted Keller’s spiritual and intellectual formation like R.C. Sproul, C.S. Lewis, and Jonathan Edwards.

Show Notes

Collin Hansen Biography: Collin Hansen serves as vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition. He hosts the Gospelbound podcast and has written and contributed to many books. He is a member of Iron City Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and he is an adjunct professor at Beeson Divinity School, where he also co-chairs the advisory board.

Books: Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation, Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential, Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age, Faithful Endurance: The Joy of Shepherding People for a Lifetime, Our Secular Age: Ten Years of Reading and Applying Charles Taylor

Twitter: @collinhansen

As we enter this new year, and if you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givelandcenter

My book Characters for Creation is available as a great resource for your Bible study this year.

To sign up for my writing cohort with Chad Poe on January 10th, you can fill out this RSVP form.

The Way Home Podcast: Ronnie Martin on The Christmas Season

Today we have Ronnie Martin joining us on The Way Home podcast. Ronnie Ronnie Martin is a songwriter, recording artist, author, and Lead Pastor of Substance Church (EFCA). His most recent solo albums are From the Womb of the Morning, the Dew of Your Youth Will Be Yours (Velvet Blue Music, 2022), and Bells Merrily: The Christmas Recordings (Velvet Blue Music, 2022). Today we discuss pastoring during the Christmas season, the meaning of Christmas in the midst of turbulent times, and why Christmas makes such a wonderful subject for art and creativity.

As we wrap up this year, and if you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

My book Characters for Christmas is available for this advent season.

Show Notes

Ronnie Martin Biography: Ronnie completed his M.A. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is currently finishing his DMin at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ronnie is also the Director of Leader Renewal for Harbor Network, where he works alongside church planters and pastors in areas related to pastoral care. Ronnie has given talks and sermons around the country on a wide variety of topics including theology, pastoral ministry, small-town pastoring, worship, music, and Christian living.

Ronnie’s writing has appeared in Lifeway Research, For the Church, The Gospel Coalition, and other places. He is the co-host of two podcasts: The Happy Rant (w/ Ted Kluck & Barnabas Piper) and The Art of Pastoring (w/ Jared C. Wilson).

Books: The God Who Is with Us: 25-Day Devotional for Advent, The Happy Rant: Wandering To and Fro Through Some Things That Don’t Matter All That Much (and a Few That Really Do), The Best Gift Ever Given: A 25-Day Journey Through Advent from God’s Good Gifts to God’s Great Son, The Bride(zilla) of Christ: What to Do When God’s People Hurt God’s People, Stop Your Complaining: From Grumbling to Gratitude

Music: Bells Merrily on Spotify

Website: ronniemartin.org

Twitter: @ronniejmartin

Facebook: Ronnie Martin

Instagram: @ronniemartin

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givelandcenter

The Way Home Podcast: Mark Sayers on Leadership in this Cultural Moment

Today we have Mark Sayers joining us on The Way Home podcast. Mark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. In his newest book A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders, Sayers charts how the church and world entered into our current cultural moment. Today we discuss disruptions in history that changed the world around us and the “gray zone” that we’re currently experiencing, between two disruptive moments.

As we wrap up this year, and if you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. Be sure to designate your gift to The Land Center by selecting “Other” and typing in “The Land Center for Cultural Engagement,” if the Lord has placed this form of generosity on your heart. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

My new children’s book, co-authored with Bri Stensrud, called The Biggest Best Light is available for pre-order!

Show Notes

Mark Sayers Biography: Mark is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books including Strange Days and Reappearing Church.

Books: A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders, Reappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture, Disappearing Church: From Cultural Relevance to Gospel Resilience

Twitter: @SayersMark

Instagram: @marksayers

Donate to the Land Center: https://join.swbts.edu/register/givel...

The Way Home Podcast: Alisa Childers on “Live Your Truth and Other Lies”

Today we have Alisa Childers joining us on The Way Home podcast. Alisa Childers is a wife, a mom, an author, a blogger, a speaker, and a worship leader. Her newest book called Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed is now. Today we discuss key themes from her book, and Alisa invites us to examine the modern lies that are disguised as truths in today’s culture. Everyday messages of peace, fulfillment, and empowerment swirl around social media. On the surface, they seem like sentiments of freedom and hope, but in reality they are deeply deceptive.

My new children’s book, co-authored with Bri Stensrud, called The Biggest Best Light is available for pre-order!

As we wrap up this year, and if you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. Be sure to designate your gift to The Land Center by selecting “Other” and typing in “The Land Center for Cultural Engagement,” if the Lord has placed this form of generosity on your heart. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Show Notes

Alisa Childers Biography: Alisa Childers is a wife, a mom, an author, a blogger, a speaker, and a worship leader. She was a member of the award-winning CCM recording group ZOEgirl. She is a popular speaker at apologetics and Christian worldview conferences, including reThink. She has been published at The Gospel Coalition, Crosswalk, the Stream, For Every Mom, Decision magazine, and The Christian Post. Her blog post “Girl, Wash Your Face? What Rachel Hollis Gets Right . . . and Wrong” received more than one million views.

Books: Live Your Truth and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions That Make Us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self-Obsessed, Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity, Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies

Facebook: Alisa Childers

Instagram: @alisachilders

The Way Home podcast: Bart Barber on Southern Baptist History

Today we have Dr. Bart Barber joining us on The Way Home podcast. Bart Barber is the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Farmersville, TX and serves as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Today we discuss pastoring in difficult times, why Bart feels called to this position of leadership in the SBC, and what makes Southern Baptist theology distinct from other evangelical traditions.

My new children’s book that I co-authored with Bri Stensrud called The Biggest Best Light is available for pre-order!

As we wrap up this year, and if you like what we’re doing here on the podcast, with my books, and at The Land Center, I want to ask you to think about donating to The Land Center through Southwestern Theological Seminary. Be sure to designate your gift to The Land Center by selecting “Other” and typing in “The Land Center for Cultural Engagement,” if the Lord has placed this form of generosity on your heart. I also want to thank everyone for your general support in everything that we’re doing.

Show Notes

Bart Barber Biography: Bart Barber has served FBC Farmersville since 1999 and was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention last year. Bart has a B.A. from Baylor University in their University Scholars program, an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Ph.D. in Church History also from Southwestern. Bart writes occasionally for the SBC Voices blog, and even less frequently for his own blog, PraisegodBarebones, which is named after a 17th-century religious and political figure in London. He is active in denominational life, serving Southwestern, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, and the national Southern Baptist Convention.

Twitter: @bartbarber

Facebook: Bart Barber

Instagram: @drbartbarber