Rise is a series designed to offer our Seedbed community a rich theological reflection to dwell on upon waking. Drink deeply from the well of His resurrection and the wealth of the Church.
Junia or Junias? One little letter makes a big difference in how Romans 16:7 is interpreted. The question this passage poses is one that has divided the church for decades – do women belong in the pulpit? Scot McKnight is shouting a resounding “YES!” with the publication of his ebook Junia is Not Alone.
Christians in the United States don’t give much thought to the idea of cremation versus burial. However, in other parts of the world this issue is a point of contention for Christians. Particularly for Christians in India. That’s why Arun K. Paul wrote Cremation and Burial in the Context of Christianity in India. In an interview, Paul shared more about his book and the difficulties of the burial tradition in India.
Can you explain more about the issue of cremation versus burial for Indians?
So strong are the feelings in India concerning burial versus cremation that for many, what practice one has, is equated with one’s religious identity. However, the Christian burial tradition has discredited Indian Christians from wielding an authentic Indian Christian identity. Burial stands out as an imported ritual to the Indian culture. Burying the dead is taboo for the Hindus. Social pressure, scarcity of land, uncooperative neighborhoods, and biased […]
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in the world today? In the final part of this series, Leonard Sweet, Craig Keener, Tim Hughes, and Bruce Marchiano discuss the miraculous works and plans of the Holy Spirit.
In an effort to connect people in the midst of emotional struggles to the hope found in God’s Word and to help them know they are not alone, Northland Church and the American Bible Society, have teamed up to provide a new online resource.
Hope Changes, their recently launched website, combines the power of truth and a focus on God’s nature with dynamic, personal stories. On each of eight topic pages addressing addiction, anger, depression, disappointment, doubt, fear, grief and guilt, end-users can uncover insights about their own condition and receive help to look beyond their present circumstances to the hope that is there.
Exit pages designed for each topic give users further options to find a local counselor, gain further insight through a series of pastoral counselor video clips, find additional printed and online resources, join a live worship service online and more. The site is equally useful to those dealing […]
From discipling in the ways of gang life to discipling in the Church, Jamey Lee, Founder of Jacob’s Well in Memphis, TN shares an incredible story of life-change in his Church.
Every Sunday, Seedbed will feature stories of how God is working through the people that make up the Church. We want to hear how God is working in your church. If you think your church should be featured in Seedbed’s Sunday series then email us at seedbed@asburyseminary.edu.
Last week’s outbreak of deadly tornadoes across the Midwest and South have left some people questioning the will of God in these times of tragedy. What does the bible say about this and how are we to respond? We asked several Asbury Seminary professors “are natural disasters the will of God.” Read more to see their thought-provoking answers.
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in the world today? In part five of this series, we feature the dynamic answers of Ben Witherington III, Al Gordon, Stuart Townend, Thomas Oord, and Amy Oden.
Ben Witherington III– Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary, author of more than 30 books, and elected member of the prestigious Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas.
“On where do I see the Holy Spirit working, I would say in the Middle East. Muslims are having vivid dreams of Issah, Jesus, even Muslims who’ve never read a Bible or had real contact with Christians. The Spirit is up to something, undercover, behind the scenes, imperceptibly, but nonetheless definitely.”
Al Gordon –Services Pastor at Holy Trinity Brompton and co-founder of Worship Central, an international worship training and resource center.
“Here in the UK and in other parts of the world where we are working, I see the Holy Spirit searching for servants […]
From the Seedbed vault circa 2008.
Author and speaker Shane Claiborne sits down with JD Walt and discusses how the words of Jesus are foundational to his faith. In the final installment of this series, Claiborne explains what it means to live as a red letter Christian.
Want to see more of Shane Claiborne? Here’s part one and part two.
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in the world? As the series continues Shane Claiborne, Maxie Dunnam, and Stanley Hauerwas share thought-provoking answers about the Holy Spirit’s role.
Shane Claiborne- founding partner of The Simple Way, author of several books including Jesus For President, a prominent social justice activist and speaker.
“In John 14 Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit and he says: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing… even greater things than these.” He then assures the disciples that, though he is leaving them in the flesh, the Holy Spirit will be with them – and live in them. This may be one of the most mysterious and wonderful miracles of all – God lives in us. The Spirit is not limited to our hands — but the Spirit wants our hands. Paul writes, “The life […]
In Craig Keener’s new book, Miracles: The Credibility of The New Testament Accounts, he shares awe-inspiring stories of thousands of people coming to Christ following miracles. This series continues with Keener sharing stories from India in which one miraculous sign prompted a new movement among a certain people-group.
Want more? You can view the entire Miracles series here.
How do you see the Holy Spirit at work in the world today? That is the question the Seedbed staff set out to answer. In part three of this series, we are featuring the responses of Greg Boyd, Nicky Gumbel, Will Willimon, Pete Greig, and Timothy Tennent.
Greg Boyd – President of Christus Victor Ministries, author of more than 20 books, Senior Pastor at Woodland Hills Church, and he was ranked #4 on Superscholar.org’s Most Influential Christian Scholar’s list.
“I am most excited about the way Holy Spirit is giving people a fresh vision of what the post-Christendom Church will look like. All around the globe, and from a remarkable diversity of tribes, the Spirit is calling people into the beautiful, humble, counter-cultural, other-oriented, enemy-loving, cross-carrying, servant Kingdom of God.”
Nicky Gumbel – Vicar at Holy Trinity Brompton, popular and award-winning author of several books, and is most well known for developing the Alpha […]
