Anti-Contextualization

Not exactly what Jonathan Leeman is espousing in this post (Yin-Yang Contextualization), but it is interesting and counter to the "contextualization" rage these days. Here's what he says he has learned from Mark Dever:

He has a good eye for locating the particular weakness of a culture and then adopting practices that directly run against those weakness. For instance,

• We live in an entertainment-driven culture, and so he works hard to make sure our corporate gatherings don't cater to that desire among Christians and non-Christians.
• We live in a highly emotivisitc culture, and so he's careful not to use overly dramatic sermon illustrations that play to that desire for an emotional rush.
• We live in a style-conscious and celebrity-driven culture, and so he dresses plainly/unremarkably, puts someone else in the pulpit around 35% of the year, and generally promoted the leadership of others.

What do we make of this? This seems to run in the opposite direction of what we're being told we must do to be relevant and draw folks to our church. If they want the word, give it to them. If they want entertainment, emotionalism, or a cool, rockstar pastor, be very careful not to do/be those things. What do you think?

Preaching on John 7:53-8:11

You guys might have already seen Piper's latest sermon on John 7:53-8:11.  It's the story of the woman caught in adultery, and the vast majority of NT scholars believe it should not be in our Bibles.  Piper spends half his sermon explaining textual transmission and why he believes the story is not the Word of God.  He spends the second half bringing out some great points from the text which he warrants by the fact that these truths are taught elsewhere in the bible.  Its a really interesting sermon on a really tricky text.

My question: what would you guys do?  Have you guys preached through John?  Would you skip the passage?  Would you preach the passage but with some disclaimers?

Mark Chanski

Hey guys - I just thought I'd mention that I've been greatly blessed the last couple of days listening to some sermons by Mark Chanski.  He seems particularly gifted at using striking illustrations and making helpful practical applications.  These are two areas where I am in great need of help in my own preaching.  I thought I'd post a little recommendation for you guys to check his sermons out.  They're on sermonaudio.

Who Pastors Pastors?

I know, I know, it sounds funny to say (or write) - even redundant. But I'm asking a serious question. And I'm not thinking local church government, controversial apostolic authority, or denominational hierarchy here guys - just a real honest question.

Who should pastors go to when they need their souls to be pastored?