tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425211023043218012.post5822336170985213278..comments2016-07-22T10:52:35.847-05:00Comments on MetaTaPhysika: BibleWorks in the Real, Modern World: 4 Examples of how BW9 is Essential to the Modern Minister R. Brian Rickett:http://www.blogger.com/profile/15913148400413631242noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425211023043218012.post-13969601706667079272013-06-18T11:47:07.590-05:002013-06-18T11:47:07.590-05:00Abram: Thanks for the note and the comments! You ...Abram: Thanks for the note and the comments! You have given me an opportunity to clarify a couple of assumptions I might not have thought about. So, here's a couple of thoughts re. your thoughts. :) <br /><br />1.) Notice those comments were under the "Church Planter" heading. I'm assuming a couple of things here. First, I suppose I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) that most reading this review will understand that church planting typically occurs for a limited duration and involves exceptional pressures (I tried to give a sense of this). For example, our most recent effort lasted for a year and a half and then the church was planted. I.e. I don't think it is healthy for anyone to maintain such a pattern of intensity indefinitely. Also, for me, the idea of "luxuriating" means spending a protracted amount of time doing something beyond what is necessary. Using commentaries as tools and luxuriating in them are two very different things. The first represents judicious employment of them, the second fits the above description. Yes, use commentaries even when under great time constraints, but do so judiciously. In reality, though, the church planter simply does not have the option of luxuriating in anything. Having said that, it's doubtful to me that someone using BW in the way I've described is going to be neglectful in this area. <br /><br />2.) My reference to pastors spending 40 hours in the study was certainly hyperbole. Although, its likely we both know of those who have erred here; in fact, we probably are both tempted in this regard. That is not my point, though. Notice I employed the term "able." I was simply trying to distinguish between highly discretionary use of time, and expendable time. Point being, the church planter's lack of expendable time warrants in the highest possible way the discretionary use of a product like BW. To use it in the way I have described, though, will require training in the sorts of seminary courses that I ended my post describing. This usually includes learning to use all of the tools with discretion, including commentaries. <br /><br />3.)You didn't ask about this, but let me be clear on something. I do not think everyone has to have original language skills to plant a church or be faithful in serving the Lord. In fact, I know plenty of men who lack any formal training who are godlier than I am, smarter and wiser than me, and who have been more faithful. I am suggesting, though, that in the modern climate, we need to up-the-game and equip our men/women with every possible tool. The stakes are too high to take short cuts here. Only you (the reader) know if you are taking short cuts. It is God's will for everyone to be biblically qualified to do the ministries He has called them to do; it is not God's will that everyone follow my path. I thoroughly believe, though, that the more attention you give to developing a high quality ministry tool-set and toolbox, the more opportunity you will have, and the more effective you will be--for most of us. I will never be a preacher on the lines of John Bunyan or Spurgeon, and most of those reading this will not be either, so we need exceptional tools for these exceptional times, particularly for those of us who are not particularly exceptional.<br /><br />Thanks for your comments and giving me an opportunity to clarify. --RBRR. Brian Rickett:https://www.blogger.com/profile/15913148400413631242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425211023043218012.post-7335576296228834922013-06-17T20:59:50.598-05:002013-06-17T20:59:50.598-05:00Thanks for the review-with all you are doing, I ho...Thanks for the review-with all you are doing, I hope you find good time to rest!<br /><br />Glad to have seen this review. Two things, if I may be so bold, to push back on just a bit:<br /><br />"no luxuriating in commentaries..."--I understand what you're getting at here, but I think we also need to be careful to not neglect hundreds/thousands of years of interpretation that have gone on before us. Certainly I am not the first one to have insight into this text, and it's a good safety/accountability to check against what others say. So I do think commentary reading (after one's own original language/exegetical prep) should be part of the deal.<br /><br />"Full time pastors able to spend 40 hours a week of study in their offices..."--my goodness! I hope no pastor is spending his or her 40 hours a week just studying in the office. :) It depends on the job description and church's expectations, I suppose, but there are other important pastoral duties, too, besides just study and prep for teaching/preaching.<br /><br />Thanks for letting me make those two comments--I've been using BibleWorks since 7, and it's saved me quite a bit of time, and really helped me grow in my love of original languages and Bible study.Abramhttp://abramkj.comnoreply@blogger.com