With each blog post, there will be a variety of underlying presuppositions. The following are specific goals we will aim to succeed in. However, the final goal listed is our main aspiration for writing.
Goal #1: An avenue for three friends to refine thinking through writing
Our main goal is to provide an avenue for three friends to refine each other through writing on a continual basis. There is a mutual trust we exhibit between each other and trust the refinement they bring.
The integration of theology into life takes time and great effort. Doing theology within community aids in this process. All three of us have different giftings, interests, and writing and thinking abilities. Therefore we will use each other to help refine, encourage, and exhort through public writing.
Goal #2: Advocate biblical thinking
It is an unfortunate thing once the menial tasks of ministry begin to overtake segmented time to study God’s Word. We too often hear or are tempted ourselves to rely upon the knowledge we learned in Seminary. The pursuit of biblical knowledge and scriptural truth is vital for the spiritual well-being of the shepherd. Therefore, through writing weekly blog posts, weekly preaching demands, and discipleship preparations should propel us to continue to stay abreast with weekly Bible study and reading.
We all work under the same presupposition of 2 Pet 1:3:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
All things that we need for living and godliness is obtained through knowing God. We do not advocate some experiential-existentialism where we can rationalize the being God. Rather, knowing the intimate details of God is obtained through the hard efforts of Bible study. Therefore, in all we do, we will seek to advocate deep, rich thinking upon God’s Word.
Goal #3: Advocate logic within biblical thinking
Too often than not, preachers will raise the volume of their voice to present a point or attempt to make convincing arguments. Doing such things provides no further clarity into difficult topics. Therefore, in our writings, we will attempt to take great care and concern for the logical explanation of Scripture and its theology.
Goal #4: Balance of advocating theology and critiquing others
We are a group of men that want to be known more for what we advance and advocate rather than being known for what we are against. You know that person who constantly rides “hobby-horses” against specific theological views or Evangelical celebrities. Rather than constantly critiquing others and theological systems, we want to be known for being compassionate men of the Word.
However, there may be times we will give critiques. Each of us enjoy reading, therefore book reviews will be made available as we deem appropriate. Our goal is to critique the argument by accurately representing the author while avoiding ad hominen or other logical fallacies against the author.
Three blog posts influencing our understanding of how to critique can be found here: Part I, Part II, Part III.
Goal #5: Provide encouragement to the pastor, the local church, and the reader
Our number one goal is to spur up each other (the three writers) to love and good deeds through our writing. With the pleasures of living in close proximity to one another, there was a time when we would do weekly outings to discuss the fine nuances of theology, the concerns and cares of family life, and encouragement to shepherd the flock of God. Therefore, our writings will seek to accomplish what we did in our weekly discussions.
Moreover, our blog posts will be to encourage the pastor in his ministry and theology. Consequently, because the Word of God will be discussed at great lengths, people in our local church settings and the average reader will find encouragement through the exposition of God’s Word.
