“Discernment, Community and the Spirit” Doug Heidebrecht One of the key questions that the task of hermeneutics ought to bring up is a very pragmatic one: “Under the guidance of the Spirit, how does the Body of Christ engage with the written Word of God?” Our Confession of Faith notes that the corporeal process involves… Continue reading Why be afraid of the Spirit?
Introduction Having grown up through the Mennonite Brethren tradition, I find there are many ‘core’ beliefs that I take for granted. Pacifism, separation of church and state, and adult baptism sound obvious to me. Of course, we should believe those! Aren’t they clearly THE TRUTH? A deeper exploration of my own convictions, and opposing convictions… Continue reading Now we see imperfectly
In fall 2007, a community in the small town of Hepburn, Sask., began to shape my life. I was a first-year student at Bethany College, a place of profound formation and development for me as a disciple of Jesus. The place captured my heart with an all-encompassing, life-altering, horizon-expanding revelation of the depth and breadth… Continue reading Transformational community
I don’t typically enjoy working in groups. I know it’s often necessary and there are many good reasons for working in groups. It’s just not fun. At the MB EQUIP study conference, we had the opportunity on Thursday morning and again in the afternoon to practice what we had been learning about interpreting Scripture. Of… Continue reading Good group work?
At study conferences, a listening committee prays and discerns together what has emerged from the teaching we have received collectively. Here is their message from the first night. James 1:19-20 was given to the Listening Committee in their first meeting together before the conference. It was then referenced in our first session as well.… Continue reading Listening committee 1
“Interpretive Model Explanation” Method “Starting with the Text” with Mark Wessner and Doug Heidebrecht In marriage and family, we dig deep into relationship. For these primary relationships in life to be enriching and long-lasting, they must go beyond the surface of life. They must engage our emotions and motivations – what is most personal to… Continue reading Encountering God in the text
Listening to Dr. Keener was like trying to drink from a fire hose…or a canon. His detailed and encompassing explanation of the apostle Paul’s views of women in ministry in the New Testament was a much-welcomed canon ball for Sarah, a woman in ministry. A direct hit to the conscience was the lackadaisical way in… Continue reading Shots from the canon
“Where, culturally, do we read the Bible in 2019?” Gil Dueck, academic dean at Columbia Bible College, started the 2019 MB Equip Study Conference by asking this question in his session entitled “Reading the Bible with our phones (off).” His question begs for a longer discussion and he proceeded to start it. He suggested that… Continue reading Mapping our Bible reading
“The authoritative function of Scripture” with Tim Geddert Jesus is at the centre. No matter what other amazing and insightful words Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary professor Tim Geddert offered this afternoon, it was worth hearing the important truth that Jesus is always at the centre of our understanding of Scripture. Geddert deftly and clearly outlined… Continue reading Words about the Word
[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1571345137999{padding-right: 15% !important;padding-left: 15% !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”75px”][vc_column_text] Interactive webinar with Craig Keener [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text] Hermeneutics: Spirit, exegesis, re-contextualization One of the authors in the study conference recommended reading title Spirit Hermeneutics: Reading Scripture in light of Pentecost, Craig S. Keener presents and answers questions on experiential vs historical/grammatical reading and cross-cultural application vs syncretism… Continue reading Interactive webinar with Craig Keener
