Re: Frustrated by N. T. Wright

I certainly appreciate environmental responsibility (although I fear it has become trendy among some evangelicals—certainly not a good motivation). What I am interested in is a broader commitment to holistic ministry. And let’s remember albiet with humility, that throughout history, Christians took the lead in helping solve the social problems of their communities: medical care, trade unions, prison reform, abolition of slavery, establishment of orphanages, rescue missions, crisis pregnancy centers, shelters for the abused etc… But this is not just history, many,many believers today are devoted to these ministries (even those who believe in a rapture!)

Side bar: It has also become disturbingly trendy for many younger evangelicals to think (wrongly so) that it’s actually the democratic party that leads the way in these ministries of care.

This holistic approach to ministry should be based on one’s theology of God, creation, redemption and restoration. God made humans physical beings with bodily needs, social beings with community needs, and spiritual beings in need of salvation.

A truly biblical approach to ministry will involve works of relief, development, and evangelism.

I find that we too easily become one dimensional. We focus on the spiritual needs and overlook the physical and social. Or, we reverse this pattern by deemphasizing the spiritual needs. Clearly the priority must be placed on the gospel and the human need to be reconciled to God. But we should not do this at the expense of a biblically holistic view of humanity.

Steve Cornell