Paul – Page 2 – 300 words a day

The Galatians.

“The destination of Galatians is one of the best known and most intractable problems in NT introduction. ,,, Why is there so much disagreement over this issue? Very simply, it is because the location of the Christians that Paul addresses in the letter is unclear, and no other NT text settles the matter.” Douglas Moo, […]

by Jon Swanson

Strategic use of personal titles.

When I make a presentation, I think about how I describe myself. I have several titles to choose from (Mr, Rev, Dr, Chaplain, Professor, Pastor, Doofus). The one I pick can set the tone for the rest of the conversation. For example, when I am calling the family member of a person who has just […]

by Jon Swanson

Five years, five years later.

(I first published this over five years ago, on June 24, 2010. Did any of you take my advice then? What if we started now?) “What do you want to be true of you as a leader in five years? What do you want your wife to say about you as a church leader? What […]

by Jon Swanson

Five years

“What do you want to be true of you as a leader in five years? What do you want your wife to say about you as a church leader? What do you want your kids to say about you as a church leader?” That’s what I asked five guys the other night. They are studying […]

by Jon Swanson

I’m not Paul

As I read through the New Testament, I frequently have wrestled with a frustrating thought: I’m not Paul. Paul sets the standard for the dynamic, confrontive, visionary, genius, self-abasing, persecuted, passionate ministry leader. We love him, we know him, and at times, we really don’t like him. Why? Because he sets a standard that fits […]