Michael Wilkins introduces the rabbinic concept of shimmush which means “attending upon and coming under the personal influence of the teacher and learning from his deportment. “But shimmush itself was a study of Torah,” Wilkins continues, “because the rabbi’s life was to be an embodiment of Torah.”
In many parts of the West, Christians find themselves being pushed to the periphery of power and influence after centuries of privilege. Fear, anger, nostalgia, and retaliation are not how Christ’s people are to respond when their circumstances change or their cultural authority is taken away.
In our 21st century context where students are primarily focused on the teacher’s content, and the teacher is just a vehicle for delivering “the goods,” we are far from the teacher-centric world of first century Judaism.
With my doctorate complete, I am turning my attention to getting my writings into print and available for purchase. I have just released The Father’s Song: The Divine Symphony of Scripture and you can purchase a copy today!
“Most problems in contemporary churches can be explained by the fact that members have not yet decided to follow Christ.”
A repost from 2015. This article is also available in audio form here. I’ve heard a dozen sermons and given my own share on the story of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha. I think they’ve all been a bit too hard on Martha and overlooked a […]
Evangelicals are well-known for working to get the “right” people in the highest places of government, hoping they will lead our nation with faith and integrity in more godly directions. The overlooked story of Fauci’s boss seems to reveal another truth.
A few words in response to the Derek Chauvin trial verdict by myself and NWC Superintendent Mark Stromberg.
My thesis flows out of the sobering realization that sermon-centric pastoral ministry is inadequate to the task of bandaging hearts, healing wounds, and forming souls at the deeper levels. Dynamic preaching may grow a church, but alone it will not grow disciples.
Why is the world so messed up? Where is God in all of this? What role, if any, do Satan, angels and demons play in all this? How do we face evil and suffering in a Christ-centered way? Join us for a 6-week course on “God, Evil, & Spiritual Warfare” kicking off this Sunday!
Don’t follow the disciples’ example in this passage and seek Truth in gossip, rumor and conspiracies. Turn to the source of Truth. Turn to Christ.
In this overview of the Bible's Big Story, Jeremy helps train our “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat at the center of redemption history.
