More on "Content and Delivery"

I recently posted some reflections on the need for God's people to pay attention to both "Content" and "Delivery" when responding to the questions of our neighbors and culture.  CLICK HERE

Another Metaphor: "Position" and "Posture"

As I have been working with Pastor Aaron and Pastor JB each week on our Summer Sermon Series on Wisdom, we have used the words "Postion" - like "Content" - and "Posture" - like "Delivery" - to get at the same distinction.  That is to say, Wisdom in Proverbs is often as much about the "Posture" of the one speaking as it is the correctness of their "Position."  Each are important in a Both/And sort of relationship.

God's Wisdom For Navigating Life - Time & Kathy Keller

I should not have been surprised when I came across another angle on this same distinction in Proverbs in the daily devotional by Tim & Kathy Keller that we are using as a supplement resource for the series.  See if you don't agree:

"Content" or "Position"

July 2 - THE GOD OF TRUTH. Concern for truthfulness is not merely practical but right. Business schools’ ethics classes advise honesty as the most profitable business policy. But God desires honesty in business even when, as here, dishonesty in scales and balances could make you a lot of money and never be found out. The reason? God is truth by nature—all his words are flawless and true.  .  .  We are to “put on the new self, created to be like God” (Ephesians 4:24) and “therefore . . . speak truthfully to [our] neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). We must be truthful if we are to be like God, for he cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18), he always keeps his promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He always means exactly what he says and says exactly what he means—he cannot be inconsistent with himself. Above all, Jesus is Truth itself (John 14:6). He reveals God, the ultimate truth, perfectly (John 1:18; Hebrews 1:3).

"Delivery" or "Posture"

July 3 - KIND WORDS. The second mark of good speech is kindness. It is not enough for words to be truthful. The word translated as kind means “personal and kind, pleasant and sweet, timely and thoughtful.” Because our words must be life-giving (15:4), we must never use truth as a weapon. You must ask yourself why you are telling the truth. Is it to win an argument? To punish or pay back by embarrassing the other person? To undermine something true that the person is saying but you don’t want to hear? To defend your pride? To complain? To make yourself look good to others?

St. Paul says every word must pass this test—“that it may benefit those who listen . . . according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29). When you tell the truth, you should always have a “ministry motive.” You should only confront to help another person achieve illumination and understanding or to remove distance and barriers between you and the other person. Speak the truth, but in love (Ephesians 4:15). If you do so, it can lift up even someone sinking in anxiety and fear.

July 4 - GENTLE WORDS. When Proverbs talks of kind words, it speaks of our speech’s motives. When it speaks of gentle words, it is speaking of speech’s form—its tone and demeanor. Being gentle does not mean agreeing (August 6), but it does mean being respectful and friendly. We are called to speak gently even (or especially) in an angry confrontation, rather than answering with harsh, hard words in kind. Speaking gently in such moments is difficult, not least because of the fear of appearing weak.  .  .  Ironically, gentle speech is ultimately more persuasive than “so take that!” arguments. Harsh words play well with people who already agree with you, but they won’t persuade or help the truth to spread. Follow the one who, when he was reviled, did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23).

Keller, Timothy; Keller, Kathy. God's Wisdom for Navigating Life (pp. 183-185). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

CLICK HERE for the Amazon link to the Keller's book.  Consider spending 5 minutes each day with them growing deeper in the Heavenly Father's wisdom as you navigate your life.

My Own Reflections On The Dobbs Decision Overturning Roe v Wade

There has been sooooooo much WRITTEN and shouted about the recent Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court that overturned the Roe v Wade decision and returned the legal matter of abortion to the legislatures of the various states.  What more could I add?  Why would I even want to engage the noise?

Those are reasonable questions.  What I will do for my congregation and any others interested is share some of the most helpful resources that I have come across lately for informing my thought and prayers in the hope that it will be helpful for you as well.

The Supreme Court Decision - Dobbs v Jackson Women's Heath

It is free and accessible for download if you CLICK HERE.  It is also 213 pages.  BUT I found it actually very readable, even if it is long.  It is clearly written and laid out, enough so, that I found the time I put in it to be helpful and worthwhile.  Even if you just read a few pages, it seems reasonable to encourage everyone to look at the decision itself, and not just someone's opinion about someone's opinion about someone else's opinion about what another person said about something they have not read anyway.

How To Respond To A Colleague Mourning Roe

At this stage of my life, I am painfully aware that I usually need the MOST help when I am engaging a person whose convictions and opinions differ from mine.  This post by The Gospel Coalition was helpful for my weakness, my prayers and my thinking.  CLICK HERE

Sixty Questions For Pro-Choice Christians

I would consider myself a "Pro-Life" Christian, but these questions really helped me stop and consider WHY I am pro-life and what that might mean.  I appreciate writers who help me think more deeply about things I often grow to assume.  Honestly, I am not sure that my pro-choice friends would want to ponder these questions at this moment - that's why I put the "Mourning Roe" post earlier - but this is a resource that served to clarify and renew my heart and thinking.  CLICK HERE

EPC National Leadership Team issues statement on U.S.Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade

Our Heavenly Father has placed us in the church so that we can navigate life in community under the authority of the Spirit speaking through the words of the Bible.  This is a helpful statement from the leadership team of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the denomination with which I am ordained and accountable to.  CLICK HERE for the three-page statement.

Let's Talk Some More

As always, if I have sparked something that you would like to follow up on, please call the Harderwyk Ministries office and let's arrange to talk more - whether over the phone, over coffee or even several conversations.  Grace Abounding!