Author: Jonathan Dodson

Hate the City, Love the City by Jonathan Dodson (Acts 29 Church Planter | Austin, TX)

The first eleven chapters of Genesis appear to advocate a YHWH-against-the-city theology. The line of Cain, not the Sethite line of promise, is consistently associated with urban development and culture-making. Cain and his posterity are judged and rejected by God, whereas Seth and his posterity are described as righteous, as relatives of God in Christ (Lk 3:38). YHWH obviously hated Babel, Sodom, and Gomorrah enough to destroy them. Are we then to conclude that those who claim sonship of YHWH and discipleship to Jesus should also hate the city? Is this the biblical stance? Hate the city?

How then should we respond to the city? With most of humanity still in glorious ruin, how are we to live in the city? If the city is not inherently evil, what can we learn from it? If we are not called to hate the city exclusively, how then do we love it?

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Romance your wife by playing and singing Derek Webb’s “Better Than Wine,” from I See Things Upside Down. The lyrics are paraphrases of the ancient Song of Solomon. The link above is a remixed version. Download the album for the more emotive version.

In the coming weeks I will be posting a review on Quicke’s most recent book, 360 Degree Leadership. Until then, here is a brief article by Quicke on keeping preaching fresh, from the heart. His previous book, 360 Preaching applies a Trinitarian framework to preaching. It is packed with insights and rich with theological flavor. (See my review at Amazon) If this doesn’t interest you, consider buying it for one of your pastors.

If you’ve lost the thrill of opening Scripture and hearing God speak, try new ways of study. Use different translations and meditate on the passages. (I recommend practicing the technique of “lectio divina” in my book, 360 Degree Preaching.) Ask: “Lord, what are you saying and doing to me in this text?” Collaborate with other people in sermon preparation (see later). Expect the Holy Spirit to inspire. Record your thoughts, questions, and surprises.” More