tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post115379133506816068..comments2024-03-25T15:42:14.449-05:00Comments on Ministry and Music - Seeking the Old Paths: Do you share Paul's spirit about this?R. L. Vaughnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-1154014387474189242006-07-27T10:33:00.000-05:002006-07-27T10:33:00.000-05:00Is that why sometimes the pulpit is called "coward...Is that why sometimes the pulpit is called "coward's castle"?<BR/><BR/>My principle in ministry was to be friendly to all and familiar with none. This tends to keep one away from personal quirks, and focused on what we are intended to teach and preach.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-1153963538322908722006-07-26T20:25:00.000-05:002006-07-26T20:25:00.000-05:00Jim, I agree. Those folks being Judaizers does not...Jim, I agree. Those folks being Judaizers does not fit the context or the point Paul in making. One commentator (I don't remember, Gill maybe) suggested a scenario in which these that were jealous of or hostile toward Paul were going around preaching; while doing so they were making the point that they were preaching the same thing as Paul but haven't been thrown in prison (thereby implying that Paul was in prison for something other than preaching the gospel). Now certainly all that isn't in the text, but illustrates one possibility of what could have been the problem.R. L. Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-1153885633036900542006-07-25T22:47:00.000-05:002006-07-25T22:47:00.000-05:00The understanding I always had about this passage ...The understanding I always had about this passage in Philippians, was not a hostility to the gospel, but rather an hostility to Paul himself. They were quite orthodox (verses 15,17 & 18) but they lacked brotherly love for Paul. This was also the viewpoint of Karl Barth..."a question of prestige that brought a section of the Christians at Rome in opposition to Paul." It was pettiness, which we sometimes see to-day among some preachers. We almost get jealous of our successful brethren.<BR/><BR/>Some of the older commentators, such as Lightfoot, Bengel, Meyer and even Ellicott suggested Paul was speaking of the Judaizers. but the fact that what they preached does not differ to what Paul preached. So, the personal things seems the more appropriate understanding, in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>Hence, my illustrative story...My friend preached the same truth I did, but his heart was not in his preaching...even though my friend did not show animosity in my direction. He was rather cynical about some things, however.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>Jim<BR/><BR/>You realize by raising these questions you are stretching my memory to recall what I have read so many years beforehand? (Insert a smile here...lol)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-1153876350886095542006-07-25T20:12:00.000-05:002006-07-25T20:12:00.000-05:00Jim, I think that could fall under the principle. ...Jim, I think that could fall under the principle. While we might prefer that all ministers are called, sincere and interested, we could still rejoice that the truth is preached by one who doesn't meet all that criteria. In Paul's situation it seems that the motive was more "sinister" than with the gent to whom you refer.R. L. Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-1153798476045965442006-07-24T22:34:00.000-05:002006-07-24T22:34:00.000-05:00I had a friend who went through all the motions of...I had a friend who went through all the motions of attending seminary, graduating, entering the ministry and was even ordained.<BR/><BR/>He was not really interested in ministry as such, but his mum and dad, and his home church "wanted" him to enter ministry. He preached quite well, and was true to the word, but I know, from our personal contacts, that his heart was not in the ministry. He eventually left and went into business. Could this be such an example?<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/><BR/>JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com