Dustin Hunt | Theology & Ministry

Book Review

Book Review: Truth Over Tribe

May 24, 2023

Originally published: “Patrick Miller and Simon Keith, Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, not the Donkey or the Elephant. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2022),” in Presbyterion 49. no 1 (Spring 2023), upcoming.

Reflecting on the last five to ten years of cultural changes is both dizzying and confusing. While there have always been disagreements among Americans, even strong disagreements, it seems that disagreements have become intensified. From political responses in 2016 and 2022 to reactions to Covid-19 to dealing with racial tension—it seems that Americans are more divided than ever. Local pastors Patrick Miller and Keith Simon address the issue of tribalism and polarization in their latest book Truth Over Tribe, which is both a diagnostic of our current cultural moment and proposed solutions for the church moving forward. Miller and Simon yearn for the church to be filled with people “schooled in the ways of enemy love, humility, meekness, and truth-telling” (19). This book is their attempt to inculcate such biblical virtues into American Christians so they can be more faithful to God and loving towards their neighbor.

The authors diagnose the present reality of American culture as tribalism, the instinct to form isolated groups, which rarely, if ever, interact with one another. This is happening politically but more than ever, tribalism is fracturing relationships, work-dynamics, and cultural unity that Americans have enjoyed through years past. As pastors, Miller and Simon have numerous examples of how tribalism has both impacted their particular church and their community at large in Missouri. The book assumes that the reader affirms that tribalism is harmful or at least one is growing weary of the heightened polarization in our culture. The book is intended for this particular audience and I fearful that those who are on the extreme edges of the tribes may not heed the call toward action. Many people who live on the extreme right or left may have no trouble with their tribalism or they completely blind to it. This book is written for Christians who yearn for a better way to engage our culture with the love of Jesus yet are struggling how to speak the truth in love.

Book Review

Book Review: Faith in the Son of God

May 19, 2023

Originally published: “Kevin McFadden, Faith in the Son of God: The Place of Christ- Oriented Faith within Pauline Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021),” in Presbyterion 47, no.2 (Fall 2021): 181-82.

If you spend any time around New Testament scholarship, you will inevitably bump into the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate (or, with the preponderance of writings, you may slam into it!). Two thousand years later, much ink is being spilled on the Apostle Paul, and one of the primary debates is surrounding how to translate this short Greek phrase. In his latest book, Faith in the Son of God: The Place of Christ-Oriented Faith within Pauline Theology, Kevin W. McFadden, Associate Professor of New Testament at Cairn University, defends the historical approach of translation, rendering the phrase “faith in Christ.” Through careful exegesis of the debated eight πίστις Χριστοῦ phrases, an analysis of broader ways to engage the debate, and a robust understanding of Pauline theology as a whole, McFadden presents a commendable piece of scholarship that opponents of the historical view must reckon with.

For those unfamiliar with the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate, a majority of English speaking scholars now advocate for a translation that renders the phrase as “faithfulness of Christ,” rather than “faith in Christ.” Perhaps you are wondering if it even matters? Is not the faithfulness of Christ and our faith in Christ both important? Can Greek grammar and Pauline theology advocate for both views? While McFadden would agree, he would also argue strongly for the historical view, noting that “this debate is significant because of the relationship of these eight phrases to Paul’s entire theology and especially his view of justification and salvation (and thus, by implication, our view of salvation)” (24). Therefore, a proper understanding of the πίστις Χριστοῦ is not merely a matter of grammar, but of theological precision that has huge implications for our understanding of justification, salvation, and even the gospel itself.

Liturgy, Ministry

Our Liturgy: Declaring the Word

November 11, 2021

Liturgy is a loaded word. Liturgy can communicate a myriad of things to different people. For some, it conjures images of dusty pews, stuffy worship, and archaic language. For others, it brings comfort, knowing the order and structure pertaining to the worship gathering. For those coming to the church that I pastor (Coram Deo), many are confused or unaware of why we do various things in our worship services. In this short series, I want to break down the various parts of our liturgy, explain why we do them, why we do them in a particular order, and what the biblical grounds are for each liturgical component. This week we will focus on the fifth aspect of our liturgy: declaring the Word.

Book Review

Book Review: You Are Not Your Own

November 8, 2021

WE ARE ALL WEARY

In the last 18 months, I continue to hear the current state of people’s mental, emotional, and spiritual health in one word: weary. For many, the realities of Covid-19 have only exposed what has been slowly boiling under the surface for years—we live in a culture that drives us to survive not to thrive. After a long day, we put our heads on the pillow and wonder, “Is everyone this tired?” Yes. Everyone is this tired. In his latest book, You Are Not Your Own, O. Alan Noble helpfully diagnoses some of the problems of Western culture, namely that we live in an inhuman culture that is slowly suffocating the life out of our souls.

The mantra of Western society is “I am my own and I belong to myself,” which means that “the most fundamental truth about existence is that you are responsible for your existence and everything it entails. I am responsible for living a life of purpose, of defining my identity, and interpreting meaningful events, of choosing my values, and electing where I belong” (4). While freedom brings about unlimited possibilities, carrying the weight of defining value, purpose, and identity is not only unrealistic and exhausting—it’s impossible and in the end, damaging. We were not designed to bear the weight of the world on our shoulders, let alone every decision, which in the end determines whether or not I lived a life of purpose and meaning.

Liturgy, Ministry

Our Liturgy: Confession of Faith

June 1, 2021

Liturgy, Ministry

Our Liturgy: Assurance of Pardon

May 27, 2021

Book Review

Book Review: A Burning In My Bones

May 25, 2021

Throughout the last year of the pandemic, I have devoured the writings of Eugene Peterson. It all started when I picked up a copy of his memoir (The Pastor)—I was awakened to a vision of pastoring that was new and fresh. Peterson’s presence, his ability to be quiet and slow, and his attentiveness to prayer has shaped me as a pastor. When I saw that Winn Collier would be writing an authorized biography of Eugene Peterson, I knew it was a book that I couldn’t pass up.

At times, it can be hard to write a review of a biography. What do you include? How do you review a person’s life story? What do you highlight? How do you review a biography without including spoilers? In attempts to avoid spoilers, I would like to summarize Collier’s biography of Eugene Peterson in three ways: the life of Peterson, the pastoring of Peterson, and the personal impact of Peterson.

Bible

Why “So” in John 3:16 Is Often Used Incorrectly

May 13, 2021

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

16 οὕτως γὰρ ἠγάπησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν κόσμον, ὥστε τὸν υἱὸν τὸν μονογενῆ ἔδωκεν, ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλʼ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

John 3:16 may be the most famous Bible verse in modern times. The verse can be seen plastered on billboards, trucking companies, In-N-Out cups, and on the faces of football players. And this is for good reason: the verse highlights the love which God has for humanity, which is primarily demonstrated in the giving of the Son of God so that we may inherit eternal life. The verse is full of glory and should be championed from the hilltops.

At the same time, I have heard sermon upon sermon from preachers of all different stripes misuse one word from John 3:16 to communicate an aspect of God’s character that it simply not textually accurate. I do not believe these pastors are being malicious or deceitful—they are attempting to use the language of the Bible as we have it in English to call people to believe and trust in the love of God. The problem is that many pastors do not have adequate training in Greek and Hebrew and thus will occasionally use words in English that do not mean the same thing in the original languages. So, what exactly is the word that is often used wrongly?