(Tri) MultiPerspectival Preaching

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Mar 15, 2006 in Church, Sermon, Teaching, Triperspectivalism | 0 comments

The Reformissionary had a post pointing to Keller’s writings on Informational vs Experiential Preaching, which brings up a great illustration of how to apply multiperspectivalism in preaching. Here is the quote:

The “informational” view of preaching conceives of preaching as changing people’s lives after the sermon. They listen to the sermon, take notes, and then apply the Biblical principles during the week. But this assumes that our main problem is a lack of compliance to Biblical principles, when (as we saw above) all our problems are actually due to a lack of joy and belief in the gospel. Our real problem is that Jesus’ salvation is not as real to our hearts as the significance and security our idols promise us. If that‚Äôs our real problem, then the purpose of preaching is to make Christ so real to the heart that in the sermon people have an experience of his grace, and the false saviors that drive us lose their power and grip on us on the spot. That‚Äôs the “experiential” view of preaching (Jonathan Edwards.)

Multiperspectivalism Application: The difference of ‘Christ-centered‘ preaching (norm, information) versus ‘gospel-centered‘ preaching (which uses a multi-perspectival approach) is HUGE. You can preach Christ and crush your people with the news, law and perfection of Christ. (I’ve seen a number of FUNdamentalist pastors do this.) It is only gospel that brings hope. Here’s how the perspetives play out in gospel preaching:

Norm: the “news” in the Bible (NOT advice which implies works)
Situation: The change of identity, worldview
Existential: The application of grace/hope

You can see this in one of David Fairchild’s recent sermons on Biblical Masculinity. (David is working through this at a level far beyond my meager brain. He should be releasing a series of articles about this and why going beyond tri to mulit is necessary to see through a series of lenses in the norm, situation and existential views. Piper fans have already seen some thought of this in his ‘doctrine’ feeding ‘passion’ to ‘Christian living’ which is part of the triperspectival view.)

How Multi-perspectivalism and Tri-Perspectivalism should shape your Worldview

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Mar 15, 2006 in Church, Teaching, Triperspectivalism | 0 comments

In many circles there is a greatly increased buzz about multiperspectivalism. Conversations stemmed from fellow Acts 29 pastors, Dick Kaufman, David Fairchild, amongst others. This is a worldview influenced by John Frame‘s tri-perspectivalism.

John writes: “The knowledge of God’s law, the world, and the self are interdependent and ultimately identical” (The Doctrine of Knowledge of God, Prebyterian and Reformed 1987, p.89). “Human knowledge can be understood in three ways: as knowledge of God’s norm, as knowledge of the situation [environment], and as knowledge of ourselves. None can be achieved without the others. Each includes the others.” (p.75) (NOTE: Frame’s work will filtered through a tri-perspectival view does not actually unpack *perspectivalism. Suggested reading: Symphonic Theology: The Validity of Multiple Perspectives in Theology

Normative: the Word, authority
Situational: the World, environment
Existential: our self

Let’s look at this through Jesus as a Prophet, Priest and King. These offices were perfectly fulfilled in Christ and reflect a tri-perspectival worldview.

Role
Prophet - Jesus declared the norm/Word with authority
Priest - Jesus ministered God’s presence to the people perfectly redeeming them.
King - Jesus exercised God’s control.

Future Applications: (to unpack this a bit more, I will post applications discussed at a pastors meeting about how this impacts (not how or why, but) what types of churches you should plant, how you should hire for church leadership and an application of dealing with sin.

Free Bibles

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Mar 12, 2006 in Church | 7 comments

A member at my church (Kaleo Church) runs a non-profit called FreeBibles.net which sends (you guessed it) free bibles anywhere in the world to people who need them. I'd love it if you could help them get Bibles into people's hands who cannot afford or are unable to purchase them. Here's how you can help:

1) Link to FreeBibles.net (http://www.freebibles.net/)
2) Donate $ – Freebibles ships approximately 300-500 individually wrapped bibles a month at $3-5 a Bible. They are a non-profit, so all donations are tax deductable.
3) Donate Bibles - Have extra Bibles? I'm sure your church does too. Do a Bible drive and send over your spare Bibles. Kaleo donated 500 Bibles in 6-months.

Donations can be sent to:

FreeBibles.net
2750 Wheatstone Street Ste #21
San Diego, CA 92111 USA

4) Pray for the ministry and recipients of the Bibles.

TheResurgence.com Is Taking Submissions

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Mar 11, 2006 in Church | 0 comments

TheResurgence.com is looking for articles from church planters on the topics of theology, gospel & culture, church planting and any socially relevant pieces. Send your submissions to Gary Shavey, Resurgence Director gary@marshillchurch.org titled in subject “Article Submission.” Also if anyone knows pastors, professors and/or writers that would be willing to contribute content that line up with the mission, values and beliefs of Resurgence please include them on this work as we look to strengthen the church.

Had a frustrating day? Imagine the frustration we inflict on God daily

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Mar 11, 2006 in Church | 0 comments

Mark Driscoll’s article in the Seattle Times

According to the Bible, God made the world and all the people in the world in a perfect state of goodness to operate together in flawless harmony. But because of human rebellion against God, everything and everyone in the world is now infected with imperfection, like a virus corrupting every file on a computer. Subsequently, God spends each day frustrated with the state of people and the world.

In the midst of life’s frustrating moments, it was humbling to realize that I am as much a part of the problems in the world as anyone, as frustrating to God and others as anyone. My solace comes in knowing that God does not grow weary with people like me who frustrate him and that even in our most annoying moments, God is working hard to straighten us out and clean up the mess we’ve made.