tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post112368006365919712..comments2024-03-25T19:00:40.046-06:00Comments on The Constructive Curmudgeon: The Doctrine of CallingDouglas Groothuis, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123762843565603472005-08-11T06:20:00.000-06:002005-08-11T06:20:00.000-06:00cia:Are you saying I shouldn't write in library bo...cia:<BR/><BR/>Are you saying I shouldn't write in library books?!?<BR/><BR/>Uh oh . . .Michael Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753474161462765718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123732982901417952005-08-10T22:03:00.000-06:002005-08-10T22:03:00.000-06:00What can we do to me the post-modern challenge? Go...What can we do to me the post-modern challenge? Good question. I think our seminaries desperately need to incorporate more apologetic training in the basic ministerial programs. I was so delighted to find apologetic degrees at the Southern Baptist schools that I left my job and became a full time student (thanks also in part to Dr. Groothuis and his lecture at the apologetics conference two years ago in Atlanta). One unfortunate aspect of seminary training these days is the disproportionate focus on counseling and psychology as opposed to logic and theology. We are producing ministers that can hold folks' hands and talk about their feelings, but fail at addressing the larger issues of society. We're emotionally validated while our society and even our own churches slide into irrelevance for the lack of a strong and reasoned voice. That's what I appreciate so much about this blog.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18181150258995261106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123730765505038392005-08-10T21:26:00.000-06:002005-08-10T21:26:00.000-06:00By the way, I do intend to get hold of books you h...By the way, I do intend to get hold of books you have written. Tried one library, need to get to a university library in town.Ted M. Gossardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580691315315271791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123730683818508292005-08-10T21:24:00.000-06:002005-08-10T21:24:00.000-06:00I think most emergents I know (a limited number- I...I think most emergents I know (a limited number- I am part of a church that says it is going emergent and am acquainted with a few others in this area) do believe in absolute truth but do so with some emphasis on subject (and thus the subjective aspect) with reference to the object (the reality). They are not saying, however that we can't know truth from God or that we can't receive revelation from God. <BR/><BR/>I don't speak for all the young people who blog and are participating in emergent. Some of them do seem to be more hard in their postmodern stance- i.e., thinking that because of the subjective they cannot attain to any true object- or at least not so with any assurance. But thankfully their leaders would assert a faith that is given true revelation from God- and thus have confidence at least (I unhesitatingly say for myself- certainty- though at the same time knowing that this certainty is a gift from God- Heb 11:3).<BR/><BR/>I would think, except for your overgeneralization of postmodernism (in my opinion), emergents would agree and more than that, appreciate what you have to say here.<BR/><BR/>Just some thoughts I hazard to put forward with reference to my limited reading and observation.Ted M. Gossardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580691315315271791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123729134142363802005-08-10T20:58:00.000-06:002005-08-10T20:58:00.000-06:00To Mike: For starters, have leaders read my book, ...To Mike: For starters, have leaders read my book, "Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism" (IVP, 2000).Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08766692378954258034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123720872551311002005-08-10T18:41:00.000-06:002005-08-10T18:41:00.000-06:00I agree with your argument, but wonder how we're g...I agree with your argument, but wonder how we're going to keep the church viable and informed during the transition (if that's what it is) from modernism to postmodernism - or at least find a way to accommodate and minister to both species of Christians in the same local body.<BR/><BR/>It would seem that a re-training of the men and women already in ministry is required - a program of some sort to educate pastors and minister so they understand the issues and new mentalities of many people in their flock. How can we "retro-fit" the existing clergy so they might be equipped to deal with this tectonic shift in our culture?<BR/><BR/>Discovering a sense of calling is certainly important and necessary, but if it is as you say (and I think it is) then many of the postmodern people in the pews aren't going to have the categories to think in such terms. I've run into hints of postmodernism here - in the buckle of the Bible belt - and I'm sure pastors are encountering it, too: people that don't grasp absolutes or authority.<BR/><BR/>Something needs to be done to equip pastors already in the pulpit. But what?Michael Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753474161462765718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14410967.post-1123687951124576002005-08-10T09:32:00.000-06:002005-08-10T09:32:00.000-06:00This is very helpful. Thank you.This is very helpful. Thank you.Jeff Burtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18068021849429001560noreply@blogger.com