Comments on: Jesus the Radical Exegete

By: John

John — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:04:24 +0000

Kasey “Rahab”,
You would think that pastors would “get it”—that the biblical Story is pointing toward the stories of the people around them day in and day out. You have a great insight—I think the stories of people in our ministries “flesh out” the biblical stories. We need to be attentive to both. God bless you!

By: Kasey "Rahab"

Kasey "Rahab" — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:53:06 +0000

Dear John,
Oh my…..where to start with such a perceptive inspiring post! If at all in the life of a Pastor Leader; to have a clear demonstrating approach to being “that of a detective” (exegtete Jesus Creed Style) can we possibly imagine the beauty of “true transforming” from the inner depths of a man/or womans life? What their true story has too offer; let alone a ministry that could present itself from it-ever? I find it almost astonishing how Pastors seemingly hide in their offices; dream up a “somewhat” Biblical explanation from a few verses captured; when the richness of a persons fallen story is truly what God is desires of rather. Having good perception and discerning skills are of great quality when ministering to others or being a Pastor at all; otherwise our words fall on deaf ears in an un-reality representing of a Life that is NOT real.
As the humbled woman crawled to Jesus ’s feet from behind in shame; grabbing his cloak for “a true love” from a Pastoral Leader for “acceptance and forgiveness”….perfumes she offered to wash His feet; BUT…mostl of all… honesty she represented-begging for realness of love, leadership, and an ear….doors wide open make a big difference in God’s Eyes…as well as many others.

By: John

John — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:45:38 +0000

Evan,
Believe me, the *pastoral* calling is more about compassion than communication. Not an either/or, but a both/and. If your seminarian peers think pastoral ministry is only or primarily preaching, they will NOT last long in local church ministry, or they may last, but they shouldn’t call themselves “pastors.” I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. God bless you!

By: John

John — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:42:24 +0000

Jim Martin,
Brother, your encouragement means a lot to me. I am glad you liked the post. I agree that it is a both/and when it comes to exegesis. God bless you!
John

By: evan

evan — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:41:19 +0000

John,
First time comment on your blog here. Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have only ever been a part of a healthy church with a fantastic community of pastors, some professional, some not. I was so naive that as I began attending a prominent evangelical seminary (who searches the internet for their name every day) I was shocked at the way fellow students downplayed the need for a pastor to be a counselor, leader, and friend. I have heard so many times that the MOST important thing a pastor can do is preach, preach, preach after days of exegesis. Everything else is secondary. I have struggled to put into words the way I believe a pastor should lead and you have offered here a fine metaphor for me to communicate to my friends here. Thank you.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:00:59 +0000

John,
Absolutely outstanding! You are right on as far as I am concerned. Far too many people have seen this as an either/or. Either I am a text person or I am a people person. Wrong! Pastoral ministry requires the exegesis of both.

By: John

John — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:25:01 +0000

Jeff M,
Blessings on you and your ministry! Aren’t you glad the Book of Ruth is in the Bible? No kings, no war heroes, no priests…just two widows, one old, one young, and a good-hearted farmer…up in the equivalent of a remote corner in ND. If Jesus’ mustard seed teaching means anything, it means you are doing more to change the world than anything done in Washington, DC.

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:54:41 +0000

John,
You make me happy to be pastoring a small church in a remote corner of ND. I haven’t always been the best in the past, but God is growing in me the ability to meet people where they are and listen to their stories and know their lives. I am able to speak God’s truth into their situations in a way that fits their lives because I listen first. Good words and great encouragement to keep learning and growing and stretching.

By: John

John — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:29:03 +0000

Mark R,
You wrote, “…a good Bible teacher lives the word…” Praxis, my friend, is key to exegesis. You nailed it! Didn’t Paul write to the Corinthians, “…*you* are a letter of Christ read by everyone…”? We not only have a Bible, we are the Bible to many, many people.

By: Mark R

Mark R — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:48:29 +0000

“He prides himself on being a good Bible teacher,” - a good Bible teacher lives the Word and then, that it makes it whole lot easier for his flock to understand it when he preaches it - I think.