tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post112446262452273668..comments2024-01-12T09:37:16.515-06:00Comments on paleoevangelical: No Higher CallingBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113808932788409800noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post-1124715473513165052005-08-22T07:57:00.000-05:002005-08-22T07:57:00.000-05:00Gene,I don't think your imagination is inconsisten...Gene,<BR/><BR/>I don't think your imagination is inconsistent with what Jesus says about who is greatest in the kingdom in Matthew 18.<BR/><BR/>Anon,<BR/><BR/>I do believe that the passage is primarily referring to pay. I'm not prepared to argue that "honor" in our modern view of it is incompatible with Paul's meaning. I do believe that the honor distinction in this passage is among those who hold the office of elder, not <I>between</I> elders and laypeople. Of course there is healthy discussion about what kind of distinction among elders that Paul is talking about, but that's another conversation.<BR/><BR/>In any case, Paul's statement seems to me to be a response to effective and diligent shepherds, not an inherent elevation of the office.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665765739805841971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post-1124667264453054932005-08-21T18:34:00.000-05:002005-08-21T18:34:00.000-05:00What about this verse: "Let the elders who rule we...What about this verse: "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching." -1Timothy 5:17 (ESV)<BR/><BR/>Does this refer only to the fact that preaching/teaching elders should be paid, or does it also elevate their calling? Isn't attentive listening to the Word of God being preached the highest form of worship? Just curious...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post-1124649822802317222005-08-21T13:43:00.000-05:002005-08-21T13:43:00.000-05:00I have this theory...more an imaginative construct...I have this theory...more an imaginative construct I know...that, on the Last Day, the first in the kingdom will be a layperson from some obscure place that nobody has ever heard of in the modern age who said or did something very small but used his or her spiritual gifts consistently and unselfishly, and it is largely because of this person's love for the Lord and the doing of these relatively insignificant things that we all know the Lord today.GeneMBridgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504383610477532374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post-1124479006194369352005-08-19T14:16:00.000-05:002005-08-19T14:16:00.000-05:00Exactly.And perhaps I should clarify. If one accep...Exactly.<BR/><BR/>And perhaps I should clarify. If one accepts the term "calling," it is technically true that there is no "higher" calling.<BR/><BR/>But there is just as certainly no "lower" calling.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665765739805841971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080491.post-1124476306168591852005-08-19T13:31:00.000-05:002005-08-19T13:31:00.000-05:00As each has received a gift, use it to serve one a...<I>As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1Pe 4:10 - 11 (ESV) </I><BR/><BR/>If God calls and supplies and empowers the preacher, it is all of grace. Thanks for the post.Tony Kummerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04952864947581129429noreply@blogger.com