Post by arete on Jan 29, 2014 1:13:05 GMT
Greetings,
I have lurked and commented via shoutbox. Now is the time for introductions.
My username is taken from Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
Arete is excellence or moral virtue. It was an ideal of the Greek philosophers hijacked by Paul to convey Scriptural truth. My username reminds me to pursue godliness - his excellence and virtue and walk in a worthy manner.
My real name is William and I am a pastor in a rural Alaskan village. I am a missionary and must raise my own income with the help of my agency. Some boards are concerned when a stranger comes and calls himself a pastor. I am happy to provide links to my mission and my Facebook account to the admin for verification.
In addition to pastoral work, I am a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider.
I am wonderfully wed and we have four children ages 15, 13, 2, 1.
Doctrinally, I have lived through a scope. I was first involved in the Assemblies of God. I was attending there when I cried out to Christ alone to pay the penalty of my great debt of sin. I was first involved in ministry there as well. I eventually came to be the lead for a jail ministry. I came to see my need for better training and went off to school.
While getting my degree, I felt compelled to re-evaluate my theology in the light of the Scripture. An especially meaningful experience was reading the letter to the Romans in Greek and writing a 108 page "commentary" of a sort for class. After the years of study, I came to realize that I was a sufficientist and not a continuationist. I had moved from Arminianism to the Doctrines of Grace. To sum it up, the going label for guys like me is "Reformed Baptist."
This forum caught my eye due to the links to GTY and MacArthur. I attend the Shepherd's Conference annually. I look forward to being there this March and getting turned loose amongst all the discount books. I especially want to read Strange Fire. A local A/G pastor and I have watched that conference and read many articles and discussed it much together.
As I read the doctrinal statement here, the forum is basically continuationist. I hope that we can all graciously learn to walk in the faith together sharpening one another as iron and iron and stirring one another up to love and good works. Unfortunately, many forums I have belonged to for many years have become warlike and unloving. I have been shopping around for some time and am now at your doorstep.
I am happy to answer any questions and exchange greetings.
I have lurked and commented via shoutbox. Now is the time for introductions.
My username is taken from Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
Arete is excellence or moral virtue. It was an ideal of the Greek philosophers hijacked by Paul to convey Scriptural truth. My username reminds me to pursue godliness - his excellence and virtue and walk in a worthy manner.
My real name is William and I am a pastor in a rural Alaskan village. I am a missionary and must raise my own income with the help of my agency. Some boards are concerned when a stranger comes and calls himself a pastor. I am happy to provide links to my mission and my Facebook account to the admin for verification.
In addition to pastoral work, I am a volunteer firefighter and EMS provider.
I am wonderfully wed and we have four children ages 15, 13, 2, 1.
Doctrinally, I have lived through a scope. I was first involved in the Assemblies of God. I was attending there when I cried out to Christ alone to pay the penalty of my great debt of sin. I was first involved in ministry there as well. I eventually came to be the lead for a jail ministry. I came to see my need for better training and went off to school.
While getting my degree, I felt compelled to re-evaluate my theology in the light of the Scripture. An especially meaningful experience was reading the letter to the Romans in Greek and writing a 108 page "commentary" of a sort for class. After the years of study, I came to realize that I was a sufficientist and not a continuationist. I had moved from Arminianism to the Doctrines of Grace. To sum it up, the going label for guys like me is "Reformed Baptist."
This forum caught my eye due to the links to GTY and MacArthur. I attend the Shepherd's Conference annually. I look forward to being there this March and getting turned loose amongst all the discount books. I especially want to read Strange Fire. A local A/G pastor and I have watched that conference and read many articles and discussed it much together.
As I read the doctrinal statement here, the forum is basically continuationist. I hope that we can all graciously learn to walk in the faith together sharpening one another as iron and iron and stirring one another up to love and good works. Unfortunately, many forums I have belonged to for many years have become warlike and unloving. I have been shopping around for some time and am now at your doorstep.
I am happy to answer any questions and exchange greetings.
