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Beatle Bum

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Q: what current teachers/pastors do you find compelling and inspiring?

I learn a great deal from Matt Chandler, Ben Stuart, and even learn from Michael Frost, while I disagree with him on some issues.

Do you have any recommendations?
 
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bigsmoothie

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Q: what current teachers/pastors do you find compelling and inspiring?

I learn a great deal from Matt Chandler, Ben Stuart, and even learn from Michael Frost, while I disagree with him on some issues.

Do you have any recommendations?
Are you talking about tv preachers?
 
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Honest question, when did evangelicals become compelled religiously to support Israel and Jews specificallly beyond all else. I’m curious as to when this became a thing. Don’t give me some line about with Jesus. We all know Christendom has historically taken multiple opportunities to dispossess the Jews when convenient. The Catholics have a patchy history as do others … but I’ve become aware that what seems like neocharismatics and evangelicals are all on board with sending money specifically to help Jews and save Israel. To the extent this requires a review of theology, great but I am really looking for a when and who brought it about into the mainstream flow of those faiths. Thanks.
 

funKYcat75

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Maybe it's from being in church most of my 47 years on earth, but there's no one in particular that stands out as far as preachers go. There's not much new under the sun in regards to that.

As for the Israel question, when the perceived "enemy" of Christianity and Judaism is Islam, then Christians will side with Israel. Please note that I said, "perceived." Islam is not the enemy of either, IMO. Apathy is.
 
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cole854

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Primarily Max Lucado and Louie Giglio in terms of books and sermons, for example. They both deliver their messages in a way that I personally try to use in everyday life.

I love the songwriting of Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith for the same reason.
 

Beatle Bum

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Honest question, when did evangelicals become compelled religiously to support Israel and Jews specificallly beyond all else. I’m curious as to when this became a thing. Don’t give me some line about with Jesus. We all know Christendom has historically taken multiple opportunities to dispossess the Jews when convenient. The Catholics have a patchy history as do others … but I’ve become aware that what seems like neocharismatics and evangelicals are all on board with sending money specifically to help Jews and save Israel. To the extent this requires a review of theology, great but I am really looking for a when and who brought it about into the mainstream flow of those faiths. Thanks.
Why would that be a question for this thread?
 

Beatle Bum

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Maybe it's from being in church most of my 47 years on earth, but there's no one in particular that stands out as far as preachers go. There's not much new under the sun in regards to that.

As for the Israel question, when the perceived "enemy" of Christianity and Judaism is Islam, then Christians will side with Israel. Please note that I said, "perceived." Islam is not the enemy of either, IMO. Apathy is.
I don’t think you can read scripture more than once and say there is nothing new under the sun. It’s a profound look into your own being that speaks new meaning to you every time you seriously ponder it.
 

funKYcat75

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I don’t think you can read scripture more than once and say there is nothing new under the sun. It’s a profound look into your own being that speaks new meaning to you every time you seriously ponder it.
I'm talking about people, not scripture.
 
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JDHoss

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I was a Benny Hinn guy. If you can't knock me off my feet and cure whatever ails me with a wave or a touch, I'm not interested.
I heard a rumor that he had a brick sewn into the lining of that sports coat. To quote ZZ Top, he's badder than James Bond, Kung Fu, Shaft and Superfly all put together tonight....

 

sg24_

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I am at a point in my faith where i have a tough time with being inspired by individual leaders or people in the church. It is imo that ministry is self serving or self polarizing. To many look at their own agendas instead of what is important. Yet I am someone who has had more than one run in with bad Christian leadership.

I find more inspiration from reading and studying and day to day experiences.
 

JDHoss

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As for the OP, I'll go with Don Honeycutt. Don was a preacher at a small church back in my old Virginia hometown. Don used to bowl with us on a mining supply company team. Really, really good dude. Quiet, soft spoken, good sense of humor. A good hearted guy who was always ready to help anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, or lack of religion. He didn't try to lecture us or look down his nose at us, and he took Fred Newton's mostly cringeworthy, stupid, off-color jokes in stride. Don was a good bowler too. Oh yeah, in addition to serving his church congregation and the community in general, Don managed to carve out 40+ hours a week to drive a bread truck for Kerns Bakery. The planet would be a much saner, safer place with more people like Don.
 
Dec 1, 2020
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Honest question, when did evangelicals become compelled religiously to support Israel and Jews specificallly beyond all else. I’m curious as to when this became a thing. Don’t give me some line about with Jesus. We all know Christendom has historically taken multiple opportunities to dispossess the Jews when convenient. The Catholics have a patchy history as do others … but I’ve become aware that what seems like neocharismatics and evangelicals are all on board with sending money specifically to help Jews and save Israel. To the extent this requires a review of theology, great but I am really looking for a when and who brought it about into the mainstream flow of those faiths. Thanks.
Probably got paid to do it given how evangelicalism is just a scam to get preachers rich.
 

Warrior Poet31

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I'm a fan of Andrew Wommack's 'The Gospel Truth' daily program. As well as Joyce Meyer's 'Enjoying Everyday Life'. At this stage of my Christian walk I prefer teachers rather than evangelists.
 
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Beatle Bum

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I'm talking about people, not scripture.
And, when people read scripture, their take away is often distinct from others. So, we get new insights from being in community. The learning curve grows throughout life. Therefore, what is new under the sun for people is how God and His word interact with you, as a unique individual.
 

Beatle Bum

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Sep 1, 2002
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I am at a point in my faith where i have a tough time with being inspired by individual leaders or people in the church. It is imo that ministry is self serving or self polarizing. To many look at their own agendas instead of what is important. Yet I am someone who has had more than one run in with bad Christian leadership.

I find more inspiration from reading and studying and day to day experiences.
I think it is obviously possible to be discipled through the word, but if you step fully out of community, are you available to disciple others? Your inspiration from scripture can be important to others. When people reject community, if you reach that point, it may harm others’ growth, because you are not there to impart the wisdom you have gained from God. Just a thought.

In any family, especially one so diversely unified and filled with people in need of healing, there will be painful experiences. Grace, understanding and forgiveness are certainly required, but the joy of being part of the active body of the church can be great.

Thanks for your sincere comment.
 

Beatle Bum

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Sep 1, 2002
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As for the OP, I'll go with Don Honeycutt. Don was a preacher at a small church back in my old Virginia hometown. Don used to bowl with us on a mining supply company team. Really, really good dude. Quiet, soft spoken, good sense of humor. A good hearted guy who was always ready to help anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, or lack of religion. He didn't try to lecture us or look down his nose at us, and he took Fred Newton's mostly cringeworthy, stupid, off-color jokes in stride. Don was a good bowler too. Oh yeah, in addition to serving his church congregation and the community in general, Don managed to carve out 40+ hours a week to drive a bread truck for Kerns Bakery. The planet would be a much saner, safer place with more people like Don.
Nice tribute. I want to know more Dons.
 

Beatle Bum

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I'm a fan of Andrew Wommack's 'The Gospel Truth' daily program. As well as Joyce Meyer's 'Enjoying Everyday Life'. At this stage of my Christian walk I prefer teachers rather than evangelists.
We have folded the five-fold ministry of the church into one leader in our western church. We sit in a theatre like environment (probably caused by Rome’s acceptance of Christ as God) and expect one person to teach, shepherd others, evangelize, and be the “leader” of the specific body of believers. It makes for a lot of holes in the church. Teachers, apostles, prophets, shepherds, and evangelists were gifts from God, yet we expect one person to sort of entertain on Sundays, and do the other stuff during the week. Likewise, people often have expectations about what they should “get from church” rather than to expect from themselves to fully engage in corporate worship of our God. That is why people critique the message and the music and the rest of the event, rather than come prepared to worship sincerely. I believe it is one result of intellectually accepting God, rather than seeing God as an awesome Holy power and your King. Nonchalant “worship” does not exist. It’s just not worship at all.
 

Beatle Bum

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Primarily Max Lucado and Louie Giglio in terms of books and sermons, for example. They both deliver their messages in a way that I personally try to use in everyday life.

I love the songwriting of Chris Tomlin and Michael W. Smith for the same reason.
Ben Stuart, referenced above, is from Giglio’s Passion Church. He is the pastor of Passion D.C.
 

Ohiocatfan826

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Oct 9, 2003
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Pastor Arnold Murray Shepherds Chapel, Ar. He teaches the bible and uses tons or historical documentation to back the discussions. He has passed away, but they still stream his sermons. If you are strictly looking for a "preacher" he is probably not what you are looking for, but if you are looking for a someone to teach you he is fantastic. Occasionally you will get his son now, Dennis, he is good but his dad was better.
 

sg24_

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I think it is obviously possible to be discipled through the word, but if you step fully out of community, are you available to disciple others? Your inspiration from scripture can be important to others. When people reject community, if you reach that point, it may harm others’ growth, because you are not there to impart the wisdom you have gained from God. Just a thought.

In any family, especially one so diversely unified and filled with people in need of healing, there will be painful experiences. Grace, understanding and forgiveness are certainly required, but the joy of being part of the active body of the church can be great.

Thanks for your sincere comment.
I haven't rejected the community aspect of it. It is still the family I chose and stay with today. Your question was about gaining biblical inspiration, which I do not have any one person that inspires me on that front of teaching or preaching aspects of it. To be honest the kids I work with in and out of the church inspire me more than any preacher or pastor or national figure.

I hold several titles now in the denomination I belong to, and I hold a couple degrees in biblical and ministerial studies. My understanding of community and faith is not limited or harmful. Just being around and raised in the faith, there is an in issue of trust. It takes a long time to gain someone's trust and takes a second to lose it. I just have a hard time finding inspiration from those I cant trust.
 

warrior-cat

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Oct 22, 2004
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Pastor Arnold Murray Shepherds Chapel, Ar. He teaches the bible and uses tons or historical documentation to back the discussions. He has passed away, but they still stream his sermons. If you are strictly looking for a "preacher" he is probably not what you are looking for, but if you are looking for a someone to teach you he is fantastic. Occasionally you will get his son now, Dennis, he is good but his dad was better.
I was going to post Arnold Murray as well. Dennis was a bit bland and monotoned earlier years but is now getting better. I watch the Shepherd's Chapel almost every morning. Arnold taught straight from the Bible and explains things that are a bit confusing (to me) with a more down to earth and historically researched approach.
 

bigsmoothie

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Yeah, that was my assumption based on past comments. I named the thread intentionally, but you still wanted to poke.
Not poke. I’m still forming my opinion of you and I didn’t take you as a tv preacher fan. But everyone has their own relationship with God.