Author: David Paul Taylor

Imagine for a moment you’re in first-century Corinth, where for several months you’ve had the privilege of listening to an ex-Pharisee from Tarsus named Paul teach about the kingdom of … Continue reading Servants or Saints?

Ministers are servants, not Saints, ministering by calling, not coronation. “What, after all is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has … Continue reading Modest proposal #2: Skipping Sainthood

At many moments in church history, believers have looked back even as they moved forward “to run with perseverance the race marked out” for them (Heb 12:1). But before I … Continue reading Some modest proposals

A few weeks back, I took advantage of a free trial of Showtime so I could watch The Tudors, which I remembered from my first viewing as part historical drama, … Continue reading The accountability illusion

When you substitute for the archaic-sounding fear of man—fear is how it’s rendered in nearly all the earliest English translations and has come down to us intact in newer versions—aren’t … Continue reading Yes, ‘fear of man’ matters

In the wake of the recent editorial in Christianity Today calling for the removal of President Trump, I think it’s worth asking how much personal reputation affects our judgment on … Continue reading Is it ‘our witness’ or your reputation?

One of my favorite moments in the 1981 film Gallipoli is when Frank (Mel Gibson) and Archy (Mark Lee) meet a lone codger crossing the salt lake on their way … Continue reading Who’s for a truce in the ‘war on Christmas’?

The letters to the Corinthian church are often mined for Paul’s approach to various problems: divisions, immorality, and what used to be called “charismania” (“strange fire” is more in vogue … Continue reading No other foundation

When you hear talent, you might think of that You Tube image of Simon Cowell enchanted by Susan Boyle’s performance of “I Dreamed a Dream.” You can draw a straight … Continue reading Priceless talents

I’m not sure, but I think it was something Francis Chan wrote or said that precipitated the pushback. It was several years ago, but the object of the critic’s wrath … Continue reading The myth of ‘works righteousness’

Sad to say, but “familiarity breeds contempt” can apply to the way we read Scripture. If you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the church, you’ve probably read about, … Continue reading Losing and saving your life

Of all the accounts of personal meetings with Jesus, the exchange between the wealthy young man (he’s a ruler in Luke’s gospel) may be best known for its outcome: “He went away sad, … Continue reading If you were a rich man