Q&A Session
This week, my friend Eric asked a very good question. I thought about it for a while, then answered it here on my blog. I enjoyed that process – question, time for thought, and answer.
So, I thought I would ask you – my readers – if there are any questions that you would like to ask me. Now, I’m primarily thinking about questions regarding my understanding of the church, but I might answer other questions as well.
Do you want to know what I think about “X” or what I believe about “Y” or how I would do “Z”? If so, leave your questions in the comments. I’ll try to write a post with a thoughtful answer.
If no one has any questions, then this will go down as the shortest Q&A session in history.
17 Comments
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Alan,
What have you found to be tangible ways that Christians with varying views on the church can show their unity in Christ? So often we are semi-isolated within our own local bodies that we fail to live out the one-anothers with other believers. What are some real ways that you would suggest to promote unity?
I am working on a paper about discipleship and I was wondering if you could give me your thoughts on the usage of ΜαθητευÌω, μαθητηÌÏ‚, and μανθαÌνω.
I am finding very little definition, but a lot of demonstration of what discipleship is from Jesus. I would like a better understanding of the greek words and if I am using them correctly.
I was about to email Dave Black when you posted this.
Thanks,
Jack
Original or extra crispy?
Eric,
That is a great question! That’s something that I’ve thought about before, but haven’t put much action into. I need to do that… so I’ll write something about it.
Jack,
Another great question! I’ve written about discipleship before, but it’s been a while. I’ll write something new about it, but I hope you ask Dr. Black also.
Arthur,
I don’t need to think about this one: grilled… then original… then extra crispy.
-Alan
Alan
Is there a biblical distinction between deacons and elders? Should the deacons take care of the “serving” while the elders take the load of “devotion to the word and prayer”?
Bobby,
That’s another very good question. I’ll have to give this quite a bit of thought. Scripture actually says very little about “deacons”… unless, of course, you translate the word “ministers” or “servants”.
-Alan
Alan,
1. In I Tim 3:1-11, how do you take the recognition of qualities in the wife in vs 11?
2. I have the impression that vss 9 (likewise), 10 (these also) and 11 (even so) included the wives of both deacons and bishop/elder/pastor
While I don’t see pastors or deacons as officials, nor a husband and wife as dual pastors or deacons who both share “the office” (coming as a set of co-ministers), I do think there is something more substantial about the role. I’m guessing seeing how husband and wife do participate in much of the workings of labor is a lot clearer from someone with your perspective, where pastor and deacon are servants and examples to others.
Love to hear your take…
You’ve written on these topics before – but as a young mom & wife & sister – I’d love to see more writings on the roles of women in the church and also incorporating children into the gatherings of the church.
and on another note – I am curious if in your body you all ever have times of confession/repentance during big group gatherings or if that really stays in smaller (2 – 5 people?) settings where children are not…. and if those smaller groups tend to be people of the same gender…
taht’
Art,
Thanks. Have you written about the “deacon” passages before?
Randi,
Good questions! Thanks!
-Alan
Did Adam and Eve have belly buttons?
Do the NT scriptures contain examples of female apostles, deacons, elders and pastors/shepherds?
Jon,
I’m already working on a seven part series to answer that question. Just keep waiting for it… 😉
Hutch,
Well, Scripture doesn’t contain examples of deacons, elders, or pastors/shepherds. So, I can only answer the part about apostles.
-Alan
🙂 Love it.
Hi Alan,
Sadly, no. If the church typically has obscured and distorted the work of the elder and apostle where we have substantial examples and some directions, I think we’ve even more missed the work of the deacon, evangelist and prophet.
The little bit of the puzzle I think I have in the right place is that Acts 6 is about elders, not deacons, and it typically is used to define the work of deacon.
I’m also not sure that translations use the word deacon vs servant accurately (or that it is possible to distinguish “neatly”).
Oh, but if Acts 6 is about deacons, then we have a really good look at one in Stephen across Acts 6 & 7. Quite more what you would expect from a prophet (exposing sin fearlessly) or apostle (working miracles, laying down his life to reach a people) than from what we think of as “deacon.”
Stephen had incredibly piercing insights into scripture and history.
Philip, too, might be a fairly detailed example of a “deacon” who functioned in ways we typically think of for pastors, prophets and evangelists (Acts 8). He is even called an evangelist in Acts 21:8
I think once you describe a man as evidently “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom,” then pretty much no box will well contain them.
Art,
When you start connecting the various passages in which diakonos is translated “servant,” “minister,” and “deacon,” I think you get a better picture and description.
-Alan
Ok, one last whacky thought.
“Deacon” in Phil 1:1 and I Tim 3 is the NT nickname for the apostle, prophet and evangelist (the rest of the Eph 4 crew).
Not a new, rarely mentioned role.
And, it fits with the Acts 6 selection being prototypical/emergent Eph 4 types (I see the Twelve as distinct from “church” apostles, their role and work limited to reaching Israel (as seen by their example (all but Peter only ever going to the gentiles, and Peter only as the door opener with the “keys” that kept the church one and not divided into Jewish-messianic and Gentile), their words (Gal 2:8,9), and their end ministry (Rev 21:14)