Author: Jonathan Dodson

New Article: Augustine & the Praises of Men

Posted on May 26, 2009

Augustine was an immensely successful teacher and rhetorician, but he felt imprisoned by his awards and recognition. Is it possible that these honors are inherently bad or oppressive? A glowing review, a congratulatory comment, published research, or an endorsed product? It seems right to recognize goodness in some person—a purple heart for a soldier wounded in battle recognizes courage and self-sacrifice, noble qualities indeed. I think of remarks I have received after a sermon, emails regarding articles I have written, comments on a blog post. Have I been ensnared by these honors, awards, and recognitions? What was it about Augustine’s honors that imprisoned him?

Read the rest here.

Augustine and the Praises of Men

Posted on May 25, 2009

High Calling is running a new article by yours truly on the role of praise, reward, and honor. It is a good follow-up to Sunday’s sermon remarks on serving the master of success:

Nothing beats an honest day’s work, so the saying goes. In an age of unethical business schemes and get-rich-quick internet commerce delusions, an honest day’s work is harder to come by. The new saying might go something like: “Nothing beats a quick, lucrative day’s work.”

But there is a vocational reward greater than wealth or honor, a reward grasped centuries ago by St. Augustine. In Confessions, he writes: “I looked with longing at honors, wealth and marriage, and you laughed at me.” Does God laugh at our longing for honor and wealth and relationships?

Read the rest here

Read Good Counsel to Be the Church

Posted on May 24, 2009

Here is an excerpt from my Resurgence Series on Counseling and Mission:

Nothing like regular time with unchurched, newly believing, broken and mature, redeemed sinners–the Church–will alert you to the need for gospel-centered counseling. For years I’ve been reading the materials put out by Christian Counseling Education Foundation (CCEF). I’ll never forget the first time I heard David Powlison speak with such measured wisdom at the Desiring God Conference in 1999. Since then, I have read The Journal of Biblical Counseling (JBC), followed Nouthetic literature, and started a certificate program in biblical counseling with CCEF. CCEF offers tremendous insight into human motivation and how the gospel applies to everything from addiction to garden variety idolatry. I highly recommend the Journal, their books, and distance education.

Westminster Bookstore carries all CCEF materials at heavy discounts and highlights Best Sellers of the Month. CCEF offers a host of articles on a whole range of counseling issues for free on their topical resource page. In addition, you can buy a CD ROM of all the JBC articles from 1977-2005. Add to these resources the fine work of Tim Chester, especially You Can Change and The Busy Christian’s Guide to Busyness. Tim and Steve Timmis are currently working on a Gospel-centered Life Series that will be a tremendous help to equipping us to counsel on mission. And very soon, I will be releasing a short book called Fight Club: Gospel-centered Discipleship.

Read good counsel, not only for you but for the church. Ground yourself in the wisdom, truth, and joy of the Lord by soaking up gospel-centered resources. Without counseling one another, the church becomes a hollow social community or disconnected spiritual event. Read good counsel to be the church. Share life and truth. Love one another in the grace of Christ and the power of the Spirit.

Ralph Winter Dies

Posted on May 23, 2009

On Wednesday, May 20, 2009, Ralph D. Winter passed away at age 84 after a long bout with multiple myeloma. Perhaps the foremost missiologist of our time, he was the founder (in 1976) of the U.S. Center for World Mission (part of William Carey International University) in Pasadena, California; the International Society for Frontier Missiology (which also publishes the International Journal of Frontier Missions); and the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, a class (and textbook) that educates the laity about what God is doing in the world today. He had recently just finished editing the fourth edition of this textbook. HT: AY

Ralph Winter was a remarkable man. His ground-breaking missiology pushed the modern missions movement ahead in the areas of unreached people groups, mission structures, and missions strategy. I had the privilege of getting to know him during a visit to Gordon-Conwell, where his daughter and son-n-law live (Todd Johnson) and work at the Center for Global Christianity. I was charged with escorting him around and having some meals with him. It was a great time. We discussed theology, missions, and theological education. He has left quite a legacy of advancing the gospel among the nations. May we follow strong after him in our pursuit of Christ-centered mission. Read some of his great articles here.