This is something of a post script to my last installment on "application" in preaching, but I beg your indulgence nonetheless....
I have been wondering lately whether or not the faithful exposition of a passage of Scripture is sufficient in and of itself, or does the exposition's legitimacy only appear when its relevance to my life is demonstrated?
For example, I will be preaching soon on Ephesians 1:3, which says that "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" are to be found "in Christ." Now, if I show from this verse (and others like it) the folly of seeking any blessing from God apart from the Person and work of Jesus, and conversely, that Christ is the fountain of all of heaven's treasure, is that enough? Does the ordinary church-goer see that point as being particularly relevant, or do I need to add something like, "Now for you stay-at-home moms out there..."?
My hope for the evangelical church today is that a faithfully-preached gospel would provide sufficient manna to satisfy God's pilgrim people, but my fear is that, like the wilderness wanderers of old, the delicacies of Egypt seem far more appealing.
Rev. Jason J. Stellman
De Regnis Duobus exists in order for believers to discuss the sacred, the secular, and how they intersect (if at all). The images used on the banner were chosen because we find them to be interesting juxtapositions, not of good and evil, but of heaven and earth. We hope that you find not just the banner but the content of what is written both provocative and challeng-ing.
About the Author
- Jason Stellman
- ... I was born and raised in Orange County, CA (also known as "The OC" by people not from there), and served as a missionary with Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa in Uganda (’91-’92) and in Hungary (’94-’00). After becoming Reformed and being subsequently “dismissed” from ministry with Calvary, I went to Westminster Seminary California where I received my M.Div. in 2004. After graduation I was ordained by the Pacific Northwest Presbytery of the PCA and called to plant Exile Presbyterian Church in the Seattle area, where I served from 2004 - 2012. On September 23, 2012, I was received into the Catholic Church. I am the author of Dual Citizens: Worship and Life Between the Already and the Not Yet (Reformation Trust, 2009), and The Destiny of the Species (forthcoming).
Exile Presbyterian Church
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