Comments for Robert Lowery http://rlowery.com Commentary on Biblical interpretation and the book of Revelation Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:07:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven! by Bill Lewis http://rlowery.com/2010/03/09/for-to-such-belongs-the-kingdom-of-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-11832 Bill Lewis Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:07:28 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=301#comment-11832 The tenderness and truth move me to tears. May our faithfulness in prayer match that of Jocelyn and Carissa. The tenderness and truth move me to tears. May our faithfulness in prayer match that of Jocelyn and Carissa.

]]> Comment on For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven! by Ronald Allen http://rlowery.com/2010/03/09/for-to-such-belongs-the-kingdom-of-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-11830 Ronald Allen Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:10:08 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=301#comment-11830 Thanks for the grand-daughter story. I am sure my congregation will remember the two word sermon preached by a little girl Sunday more than mine. Our children were in the main service Sunday, the little ones did an action song and the older ones acted as the praise team. During the little ones action song little Rachel discovered that her daddy was in the congregation (he rarely comes) and when she saw him she exclaimed with one of the most joyous expressions I have ever seen, "Daddy!, Daddy!" He didn't stay for my sermon but I don't think he will ever forget the two word sermon Rachel shared. Thanks for the grand-daughter story.

I am sure my congregation will remember the two word sermon preached by a little girl Sunday more than mine. Our children were in the main service Sunday, the little ones did an action song and the older ones acted as the praise team. During the little ones action song little Rachel discovered that her daddy was in the congregation (he rarely comes) and when she saw him she exclaimed with one of the most joyous expressions I have ever seen, “Daddy!, Daddy!” He didn’t stay for my sermon but I don’t think he will ever forget the two word sermon Rachel shared.

]]> Comment on For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven! by Loretta http://rlowery.com/2010/03/09/for-to-such-belongs-the-kingdom-of-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-11829 Loretta Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:59:54 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=301#comment-11829 that was beautiful... that was beautiful…

]]> Comment on For to such belongs the kingdom of heaven! by Frank http://rlowery.com/2010/03/09/for-to-such-belongs-the-kingdom-of-heaven/comment-page-1/#comment-11828 Frank Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:26:00 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=301#comment-11828 That's why people would write essays in your honor. That’s why people would write essays in your honor.

]]> Comment on Wanted: Your Input for the Follow-Up to Revelation’s Rhapsody by ronnie jones http://rlowery.com/2007/02/05/wanted-your-input-for-the-follow-up-to-revelations-rhapsody/comment-page-1/#comment-11822 ronnie jones Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:59:39 +0000 http://rlowery.com/blog/2007/02/05/wanted-your-input-for-the-follow-up-to-revelations-rhapsody/#comment-11822 Whenever I read about the four methods of interpreting Revelation, I get the feeling that each has something to offer in our understanding, but all are restrictive because they are self-limiting. For example, the "preterist" cannot see the church through the ages; the "futurist" leaves the seven churches in Asia Minor in darkness. I believe that you help us (pgs. 74-81) to see how the Apocalypse was relevant for real disciples in Asia and for the real disciples throughout church history until he comes. I believe that an eclectic view (drawing from some of all four methods) works best, because it is flexible and determined by the text rather than having the text determined by the method. And the cosmic struggle between good and evil, coupled with the earthbound task of the church to reclaim what is already God's, should shape the questions we ask. The disciple's day-to-day struggles, and faithfulness to the New Covenant, should set the parameters for our questions. The visions and the mesaages of Revelation must be understood first (intent and historical context), and the questions we ask should then be framed according to our cultural context. We can learn to ask questions similar to those proposed by some of the "feminist" and other "liberation" exegetes, but we must be careful not to cross over and do eisegesis as many of them do. The importance of obedience and how worship functions within the disciple's obedient life helps us to see God's ultimate purpose for our lives and the whole world. Yesterday I visited a mother of four who is facing the possibility of 30 years in prison. She may never see her infant daughter again. What does Revelation say to her or to me as we stand across a glass barrier? Whenever I read about the four methods of interpreting Revelation, I get the feeling that each has something to offer in our understanding, but all are restrictive because they are self-limiting. For example, the “preterist” cannot see the church through the ages; the “futurist” leaves the seven churches in Asia Minor in darkness. I believe that you help us (pgs. 74-81) to see how the Apocalypse was relevant for real disciples in Asia and for the real disciples throughout church history until he comes. I believe that an eclectic view (drawing from some of all four methods) works best, because it is flexible and determined by the text rather than having the text determined by the method. And the cosmic struggle between good and evil, coupled with the earthbound task of the church to reclaim what is already God’s, should shape the questions we ask. The disciple’s day-to-day struggles, and faithfulness to the New Covenant, should set the parameters for our questions. The visions and the mesaages of Revelation must be understood first (intent and historical context), and the questions we ask should then be framed according to our cultural context. We can learn to ask questions similar to those proposed by some of the “feminist” and other “liberation” exegetes, but we must be careful not to cross over and do eisegesis as many of them do. The importance of obedience and how worship functions within the disciple’s obedient life helps us to see God’s ultimate purpose for our lives and the whole world. Yesterday I visited a mother of four who is facing the possibility of 30 years in prison. She may never see her infant daughter again. What does Revelation say to her or to me as we stand across a glass barrier?

]]> Comment on Christians First? by Dave http://rlowery.com/2010/02/22/christians-first/comment-page-1/#comment-11821 Dave Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:29:14 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=284#comment-11821 Interesting post...I have been having this same (ongoing) discussion with a couple of different friends who think that political correctness and the current political regime is a clarion call for revolution (as in 1776). I concur with your assessment of Paul but my question with both Paul, and perhaps Muslims (wherever they might live) is that I don't think their connection between "church and state" is as interwoven as our political and spiritual worldview seem to be here in America. The "God Guns, and Guts made America Great" might appear as a ridiculous bumper sticker or slogan to some--but MANY actually hold this as a belief--therefore I contend that American patriotism is held to a higher degree because some equate God WITH America (manifest destiny)--therefore, I suggest that they see "Christian" and "American" as equal terms--I don't see that being as prevalent in other worldviews...any thoughts? Interesting post…I have been having this same (ongoing) discussion with a couple of different friends who think that political correctness and the current political regime is a clarion call for revolution (as in 1776).

I concur with your assessment of Paul but my question with both Paul, and perhaps Muslims (wherever they might live) is that I don’t think their connection between “church and state” is as interwoven as our political and spiritual worldview seem to be here in America. The “God Guns, and Guts made America Great” might appear as a ridiculous bumper sticker or slogan to some–but MANY actually hold this as a belief–therefore I contend that American patriotism is held to a higher degree because some equate God WITH America (manifest destiny)–therefore, I suggest that they see “Christian” and “American” as equal terms–I don’t see that being as prevalent in other worldviews…any thoughts?

]]> Comment on Trying to Keep Your Balance: Preaching the Revelation—Some Reflections (Part 3 of 5) by Tim Boyd http://rlowery.com/2010/02/01/trying-to-keep-your-balance-preaching-the-revelation%e2%80%94some-reflections-part-3-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-11816 Tim Boyd Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:32:09 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=273#comment-11816 Thanks for posting these. I have read the books that you recommended and I am starting my Revelation series this Sunday. Thank you so much for spending so much time clearing this book up for young Preachers like me. Thanks for posting these. I have read the books that you recommended and I am starting my Revelation series this Sunday. Thank you so much for spending so much time clearing this book up for young Preachers like me.

]]> Comment on What I Did On My Second and a Half Sabbatical by Rick Cass http://rlowery.com/2010/01/10/what-i-did-on-my-second-and-a-half-sabbatical/comment-page-1/#comment-11815 Rick Cass Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:15:57 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=262#comment-11815 Bob, I'm just catching up on your status & activities, and I'm wondering how Flannery O'Connor didn't make your list of favorite authors? Bob,
I’m just catching up on your status & activities, and I’m wondering how Flannery O’Connor didn’t make your list of favorite authors?

]]> Comment on A Century of Damage by Kyle Berry http://rlowery.com/2009/03/02/a-century-of-damage/comment-page-1/#comment-11810 Kyle Berry Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:22:26 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=207#comment-11810 Dr. Lowery, May I ask, by "Restorationists" do you mean Christian Reconstructionists? I have begun reading a little of Greg Bahnsen, and as a result I am becoming sympathetic toward those guys. We've all forgotten what a radical thing it is to be a Christian, and they are reminding us. Dr. Lowery,

May I ask, by “Restorationists” do you mean Christian Reconstructionists? I have begun reading a little of Greg Bahnsen, and as a result I am becoming sympathetic toward those guys. We’ve all forgotten what a radical thing it is to be a Christian, and they are reminding us.

]]> Comment on What I Did On My Second and a Half Sabbatical by Kent Sanders http://rlowery.com/2010/01/10/what-i-did-on-my-second-and-a-half-sabbatical/comment-page-1/#comment-11806 Kent Sanders Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:29:36 +0000 http://rlowery.com/?p=262#comment-11806 Dr. Lowery, thanks for these thoughts. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me, personally and professionally. Over the past few years I have acquired a taste for Westerns, my favorite being "The Searchers." God bless this semester, and thank you for updating us on how you're doing. I am continuing to pray for you. Dr. Lowery, thanks for these thoughts. You have been and continue to be an inspiration to me, personally and professionally. Over the past few years I have acquired a taste for Westerns, my favorite being “The Searchers.” God bless this semester, and thank you for updating us on how you’re doing. I am continuing to pray for you.

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