Bonaventure’s Early Life There is little information concerning the early life of Saint Bonaventure. Though accounts differ on the exact year, he was born Giovanni di Fidanza in Bagnoregio, Italy, near Rome, probably around 1217. [1] His father, Giovanni di Fidanza, was a physician. [2] His mother was Maria Ritella. [3] Bonaventure received the cognomen…
INTRODUCTION Saint Augustine, in his book, The Confessions, presents to God the confession of his life of sins, and in so doing, also presents to the reader his profound insights into biblical doctrine, creation, human nature, divine nature and the relationship between man and his Creator. Though written around A. D. 397, the book is…
INTRODUCTION Stephen R. Holmes in his book, Listening to the Past: The Place of Tradition in Theology, seeks to convince the reader of his proposition that tradition (more or less defined by him as the generally accepted theological declarations, arguments, conclusions, and creeds of earlier Christian intellectuals) should be considered authoritative in some way. He…
Relationship with the Family Spouse – The pastor’s relationship with his wife is his primary earthly relationship and should take precedence over all other earthly relationships. He should love his wife sacrificially, as Christ loved the church. Their marriage relationship should be nurtured and guarded vigorously. The pastor must remember that he and his wife…
INTRODUCTION The Purpose of This Article This article will present a critical review of William P. Brown’s Seeing the Psalms: A Theology of Metaphor. In addressing its subject, this article will provide biographical information about the author and a summary of the book’s text. The article will conclude with a critical analysis of the book’s…
INTRODUCTION The more I read this book, the more depressing I found it. Chapter One begins with Psalm 13. “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How…
INTRODUCTION “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15).” The Purpose of This Article This article will present a critical review of C. Hassell Bullock’s Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction. In addressing its subject, this article will provide brief biographical information about the…
The church as God’s agency on earth has a two-fold ministry which is focused externally. Its first ministry is to itself, the equipping of the saints. Its second ministry is to the lost world, making disciples of all nations. It must first successfully equip the saints before it can successfully make disciples of the nations.…
INTRODUCTION This is article presents gleanings from three books: Discipleshape: 12 Weeks to Spiritual Fitness by Dan R. Crawford, Spiritual Leadership: Responding to God’s Call by J. Oswald Sanders and Preparing for Christian Ministry: An Evangelical Approach by David P. Gushee and Walter C. Jackson, editors. Each of the three books was quite different and each…
To consider an act of God (or a failure to prevent some occurrence) as evil, the perspective of the person making such a judgment about God must be taken into account. Let me illustrate the point this way: One day, a friend of mine and I attended a Bible study. In the administration of the Bible…