Philip Plyming, Warden at Cranmer Hall, Durham, England, has a new, fresh, and pastorally-rich book about the apostle Paul. I was requested to endorse this book. Frankly, I couldn’t put it down. Very very few books about Paul touch the heart of Paul. Discussions about justification, the apocalyptic Paul, or Paul within Judaism tend to make Paul an intellectual figure. But he was real. He was a missionary planting churches in well-known locations. But he was also persecuted over and over and over. His life was loaded with troubles and pain and suffering.
Scott I have admired your work as a scholar, teacher and author for several years. Because you kept it “real” today I have an even greater appreciation for you as an authentic fellow traveler. Sometimes, when hope is hard to find, giving up and ending it all is so attractive. But every testimony by those who pressed on one day at a time is a witness that hope may be faint, but somehow it isn’t gone.
I have heard more than one large church pastor begin a service by asking, “How are you all doing today?” Then, without skipping a beat, he (always a he) says, “Great!” It’s as if there’s no room for pain or lament or frustration or disappointment in the presence of God in worship. We need more real pastors engaging with real Christians.
Honesty, through the tough ordeals, and through the better times, is “the real reality.” We aren’t selling a product. In Wesleyan fashion, we are inviting others to experience new life that is in it all. Thanks for today’s post!
So sorry to hear of your abuse. That is really terrible. What a testimony of having moved through it to where you are now! I also know Jesus is with me. He has proven it to me.
Scott I have admired your work as a scholar, teacher and author for several years. Because you kept it “real” today I have an even greater appreciation for you as an authentic fellow traveler. Sometimes, when hope is hard to find, giving up and ending it all is so attractive. But every testimony by those who pressed on one day at a time is a witness that hope may be faint, but somehow it isn’t gone.
Thanks Scott.
I have heard more than one large church pastor begin a service by asking, “How are you all doing today?” Then, without skipping a beat, he (always a he) says, “Great!” It’s as if there’s no room for pain or lament or frustration or disappointment in the presence of God in worship. We need more real pastors engaging with real Christians.
Honesty, through the tough ordeals, and through the better times, is “the real reality.” We aren’t selling a product. In Wesleyan fashion, we are inviting others to experience new life that is in it all. Thanks for today’s post!
Oh Scot. Whew. Standing with you.
So sorry to hear of your abuse. That is really terrible. What a testimony of having moved through it to where you are now! I also know Jesus is with me. He has proven it to me.
First sorry about what happened to you as a teenager 😢.
Thank you for sharing these books.