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— by Henry E. Neufeld, owner of Energion Publications

Last night I restarted my Thursday night video Bible study and at the same time completed my series on eschatology. Next week I’ll start a new study, in which I’ll use Galatians as a basis, but will look at the backgrounds of Paul’s letters and at the various perspectives there are on reading them. I’ll be posting some details early next week on Threads from Henry’s Web, and will link that post from here.
I often try to hold my own views, other than general ones on publishing, in the background. I don’t want anyone to take the things I say on video as a statement of company policy. For those who have asked, I definitely do have opinions on many of the issues covered by our authors. I choose generally to be a facilitator. In these videos, however, I will be expressing my viewpoint.
The study takes place on Thursday nights at 7:00 pm central. The resulting video will be posted here each Friday. We’ll link some of my posts here, but if you want to follow the next series, you’ll need to do so through Threads from Henry’s Web. Only the final videos will be published here consistently.
So here’s my wrap-up on eschatology. (Spoiler: I do not tell you when Jesus will return!)

by Dr. Thomas W. Hudgins, professor, author and translator of Aprenda a Leer el Griego del Nuevo Testamento.
Pastor so-and-so. Senior Pastor. Bishop so-and-so. Elder so-and-so. Reverend. Deacon Bob. Deaconess Anita. Apostle J. T. Preachsogood. And let’s not forget Doctor. Titles are everywhere it seems. Where there’s a church, there’s no shortage of titles. Sometimes titles are even combined. “Allow me to introduce you to the Reverend Dr. Pastor Jones.” And in some churches even the pastor’s wife gets a title (First Lady). What does Jesus think about all of this? We don’t have to go very far to find out. Jesus actually discussed the whole issue of titles. Matthew wrote it all down for us in the first Gospel.
Before we look at all of what Jesus said though, let’s start by focusing our attention on one particular verse in Matthew 23. In verse 9, Jesus talks about the title “Father.” Now evangelicals absolutely love this verse because it calls out the absurdity of the Catholic practice of calling priests “Father.” Here’s what Jesus said: “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for one is your Father, that is He who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9). I told you, evangelicals love this one. Big time. Ron Rhodes deals with this verse in his book Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2000; 112-113). He points out in his discussion how the title “father” was connected to esteeming individuals with honor and highlighted their superiority and authority over others. He goes on to point out how the pope is called not just “Father” but “Holy Father.” He writes:

If what Jesus said holds true for the Pharisees, it certainly must hold true for the pope. . . . Jesus is using the term father in Matthew 23:9,10 in a much more exalted sense [than that of a biological father or a spiritual father, like Paul to Timothy]—a sense requiring holy reverence and unquestioned obedience. (113)

One of the Catholic commentaries on Matthew addresses the issue of the title “Father” and Jesus’ prohibition in Matthew 23:9. This is what Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri write:

Catholics are sometimes criticized for addressing their priests as Father. On the surface the practice does appear to contradict Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 23:9. However, there is reason to think that Jesus is stressing the fundamental equality of his disciples, rather than establishing a literal prohibition against the use of religious titles. (The Gospel of Matthew [Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010], page not known)

He goes on to cite examples of how the early church did not understand this as a prohibition, such as Stephen’s use of the title in Acts 7:2. In my opinion, the criticism of the Catholic church is not unfounded. The Jewish people had a basis for referring to their ancestors as “fathers.” For example, God told Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). And the reference by Stephen to “fathers” was in no way connected to spiritual oversight, nor was it connected to authority. We need to back up to Matthew 23:1 to see who Jesus is talking to. While he is in the middle of a hot discussion with the religious leaders of the day, having just silenced the Sadducees and the Pharisees (Matthew 22:23ff.), and is gearing up to issue a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:13ff.), Matthew 23:1 clearly indicates that Jesus is speaking to the crowds and his disciples. And the commands in Matthew 23:8–10 are instructions for them, not necessarily the opponents of Jesus (who knows they would not change a single thing about their religious hierarchy and system of control over the people). Remember, Jesus has already told his closest disciples that he is going to build his own community of followers (Matthew 16:18). Matthew 23:8–10 is some of that foundational teaching that is supposed to shape and mold the life of that community. I agree with many others before me who have cringed at the thought of people calling an individual their father (excluding of course the use of the word with one’s biological father). But I think evangelicals need to really take a hard look at the context—the verse that immediately precedes verse 9 and the verse that immediately follows—because I think we have some work to do as well on our end. Evangelicals love our titles, perhaps as much as Catholics love theirs.
Let’s start with Matt. 23:8. Jesus tells his disciples, “Don’t ever be called Rabbi because One is your Teacher, and you are all just brothers and sisters.” The title of rabbi was an important one in the first century. “Rabbi” is the Semitic word for teacher. The two are synonymous. A rabbi was the scholar of the day for Jewish communities. In the present day, we might think of people who graduate from a university or seminary with a doctorate and called as a result “Doctor.” But it’s not just the doctors of the world. Better even might be the connection to those who complete a theological program like an M.Div. and as a result, after joining the staff of a local church, are called “Pastor” or “Senior Pastor” (we’ll come back to this last one before we conclude). And maybe it has nothing to do with any program of study at all. Did you know that the greatest prophet who ever lived was once addressed as “Rabbi” (John 3:26)? There was a tendency to ascribe titles to those who teach. In fact, this tendency has probably always existed. It definitely extends to the present day—and not just to the occults and the false religions of the world. It comes much closer to home than we might have ever thought. One thing is crystal clear—Jesus told his disciples to not let people call them by this honorific title. It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command.
It’s important to pay attention to why Jesus tells his disciples to not be called by this title. The answer is two-fold. First, we have a teacher. That teacher is God. I think we often get distracted from the teaching ministry of God in our lives. But it’s true. He is our teacher. Sure, the Body of Christ is given teachers for the equipping of the saints for works of service (Ephesians 4:11–16). And James does not condemn the role of teachers, just warns that it is a very serious role and not many should serve in this capacity because of the seriousness of what is expected of them (James 3:1). But even though we have teachers, we need to remember that they only teach us as much as what the Lord is teaching us through them. The real teacher is the teacher who taught the teacher. They teach us what God has first taught them. Their teaching does not originate in them, but in God. He is the teacher. The first part deals with who God is and who we are in relationship to him. The second part deals with the identity of Jesus’ followers and who they are in relationship to one another. Jesus says we are just brothers and sisters. I can boil this point down into one word—equal.
Alright, I’m running out of space and time. So let’s look at verse 10. Jesus says this: “Do not be called leaders because one is your leader, namely the Christ.” We have the same problem with the issue of leadership that we do with teaching. We tend to look for the physical manifestation of a leader and ignore the spiritual. Behind any individual who takes the shape of a leader should be the real leader, the one who is being followed and has absolute sovereignty and control to lead his church where he so pleases. Let me tell you a quick story real fast. I’ll never forget harping on the whole issue of the title “Senior Pastor” at this one particular local church. The pastor really loved the title. I used to just suggest getting away from the whole idea of the title. Well one day the pastor came up to me and said he was getting rid of the title. I felt like maybe I was getting through to him. I told him, “That’s great. Very cool.” Then he told me he was changing the title to “Lead Pastor.” I immediately thought to myself, “It’s a step, but not a step forward.” More like a step sideways. He had a different title, but the same issue. We’re running out of space here, so I’ll just point you really quickly over to 1 Peter 5:4. That verse is the reason why I cringe when I hear the title “Senior Pastor.” You see in that verse how Peter refers to Jesus as the “Chief Shepherd.” Well, what’s a synonym for “chief”? –Senior. What’s a synonym for “shepherd”? –Pastor. I.e., Chief Shepherd = Senior Pastor. Do you see the problem?
Does Jesus hate titles in our local churches? I know one thing. Jesus likes when people obey what he says. This whole issue of titles is one of those areas where Jesus wants to be obeyed. In the Body, do we really need them? Couldn’t we communicate very important theological truths if we would just obey Jesus in this regard? Truths like God is our Teacher, the Christ is the Shepherd, Christians who do the will of Christ are brothers and sisters in his church. I think so. But it means we have to let go. We have to surrender the titles. We have to encourage others—sometimes constantly—to call us by our name without the titles. I think God would do some pretty remarkable things in our local churches if we went this route. I really do. Words matter. The ones we use and the ones we don’t. These matter. Hi, my name is Thomas. Call me Thomas or Brother Thomas. It’s nice to meet you. I actually don’t want to be called the Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Hudgins, or as some might be tempted to do in the Spanish-speaking world, el Estimado Querido Pastor Doctor Thomas W. Hudgins. Let’s just kill the titles. I’m Thomas. And if you’re in Christ, I’m your brother.

Tony Mitchell, author of the forthcoming book Creation: The Science, asks how one finds freedom and gets some thoughts from the lectionary texts:

What happens when the majority of money is spent on weapons of war and the maintenance of power? What happens to meeting the needs of individuals, both at home and abroad? Perhaps the solution to finding freedom comes when one looks at the problem differently.

Two songs chart my youthful spirituality, and both of them have to do with time.  I remember warm California nights being “wowed” by the Chambers Brothers, “The Time Has Come Today” (1967) and then reflecting on Chicago’s question, “Does Anyone Know What Time It Is? Does Anybody Care?” (1970)  Life is all about time, and the spaces that shape the times in which we live.  Time is, as Einstein and process theologians assert, relative, contextual, dynamic, uneven in meaning, and alive with possibility. This brings us to Mordecai’s question of Esther and God’s question to us:

For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this. (NRSV)

Or, as Eugene Peterson’s The Message states:

If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else; but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.

That’s one of the key questions of theology and spirituality, “What time is it?  What events call you to pray and act?  Where is God calling you at this time?” Or in the words of poet, Mary Oliver, “What do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”  

Ruth is awakened from passivity by Mordecai’s question.  She realizes that she can no longer “pass” as a Gentile.  She must come out of the closet and take action to save her people.  Although the name of God is not explicitly mentioned in the original Jewish text of the Book of Esther, I believe that Esther is among the most God-filled and relevant books in scripture, not because of its drinking parties and threats of violence, but because of its affirmation of a quiet, usually unobtrusive providence, that calls us to respond in times of crisis.  Esther is post-modern in spirit: we don’t expect a voice from the heavens, a clear divine mandate, or God to solve the problems we’ve created or deliver us from evil.  We see ourselves as the ones who must be, as Gandhi says, the change we’ve been waiting for.  This isn’t because God is absent, dead, or separate from the world, but because God’s power is contextual, pervasive, invitational, and shaped by our actions and priorities in a dynamic call and response.  
[ene_ptp]Esther’s call for just such a time as this mirrors the wisdom of process theology. Quietly and contextually, God presents us moment by moment a vision of possibility, ideals to shape our actions and ruminations.  God acts in the real world presenting real possibilities for real people in terms of their realistic situations, personally, institutionally, nationally, and globally.  God asks in each moment, “What time is it?  What is your vocation for just such a time as this?”

“This time” is, for me, sitting in my great room, writing but, in the back of my mind, preparing for Sunday services and interacting with my wife Kate.  “This time,” for me, is the micro world of writing, teaching, and pastoring, and also my regular care for my grandchildren.  “This time,” for me, is what I hear in the local and national/international media: opioid addiction on Cape Cod where I live; children without adequate school supplies even within our relatively affluent community; a rise in racist, sexist, homophobic, and isolationist rhetoric, fueled by the irresponsible statements of political candidates; and rising sea waters, storms, and droughts, as a result of global climate change in part due to human actions.  And, so I ask myself as a pastor, grandparent, process theologian, and citizen, “What time is it? What is my calling for just such a time as this?”
If I trust the wisdom of the Book of Esther and process theology, I am already receiving wisdom to guide my responses, most likely coming in quiet ways such as intuitions, hunches, encounters, books, and the media. The wisdom may be vague and open-ended.  Like Esther, I need to pause and listen – to make myself listen rather than being tranquilized by the trivial or confused by the chaotic – and then take one step at a time in response.  God is still speaking, as the United Church of Christ slogan proclaims. God is asking me, “What time is it and what will you do about it?” and leaving the answer to me and my companions as we seek our role in healing the Earth.  (For more on these themes, see Bruce Epperly, Ruth and Esther: Women of Agency and Adventure and Process Theology: Embracing Adventure with God, both books published by Energion.)

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by Henry E. Neufeld
Last night I was privileged to interview Matt Braddock, president of the Academy of Parish Clergy and Bob Cornwall, editor of the Academy’s journal, Sharing the Practice.
Energion Publications produces two book series, Conversations in Ministry and Guides to Practical Ministry in cooperation with the Academy, which provides the editorial board. In addition, we list 22 titles out of our total of just over 160 written by authors who are members of the APC.
Last night we discussed the benefits of membership, the APC journal, and next year’s annual conference to be held in Detroit, MI April 25-27, 2017.
Here’s the video:

Note to our readers:

We’re in the process of rebooting all of our social media publicity. We will actually launch new activities and formats on EDN starting Monday, June 27, but we’ll start giving you a taste. One change is that all of our educational and publicity activities (and we want to include “education” in everything, will center around this blog. So you will see our videos here as well as written material. Please watch this space for more information.

We’re excited about what we have accomplished over the last several months here on the Energion Discussion Network, and we’re looking to make some changes to make our content and presentation even better. You can see our announcement on our news blog. Rev. Steve Kindle, who has been the EDN editor for all this time, is moving on. No, he’s not doing less, but he’ll be doing something new. We’ll certainly be talking about that here as soon as we have all the details! Steve is still an Energion author and a valuable member of our publishing family.
We’re going to start rolling out these changes on June 21, 2016. Posting will be a bit less regular between now and then, but we’re not abandoning this site. In fact, we’re planning to make it more active.
So stick with us, and grow!