A Hard-to-Read Bible is Not More Virtuous, Nor is it More Accurate

A recent article regarding the KJV debate seems to be making a comeback for the plowboys — those who desire the Bible in their own common tongue.

Marks of Good Preaching - Avoiding Illustration Delusion

What happens when sermon illustrations are used improperly?

Church Culture, Christian Growth, TheologyTom BalzamoApril 15, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, bad preaching, pastors, illustrationsComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Don't Avoid the Growing Pains

Is simple preaching a good thing? And what are some of the results of simple preaching?

Church Culture, Christian Growth, TheologyTom BalzamoMarch 13, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, bad preaching, pastors, preaching styles, spiritual growthComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Less is More

Is it possible that one great, more full sermon per week could be far more effective than three or four sermons prepared without accountability? How do church activities effect the preaching quality?

Church Culture, Church AdministrationTom BalzamoMarch 4, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, bad preaching, pastors, accountability, tradition, church servicesComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Accountability

“Good preaching comes from a preacher that has accountability.” Why is that?

Doctrinal, Church CultureTom BalzamoFebruary 27, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, bad preaching, hermeneutics, preaching styles, pastors, Baptists, accountabilityComment

A (Mostly) Pointless Debate of Huge Importance

Has the distinction between missionaries and church planters placed undue burden on U.S. church planters and put them under needless financial risk?

Church Culture, EvangelismTom BalzamoFebruary 2, 2024Thomas Balzamo, missions, missionary, church planting, apostle Paul, financial support, evangelismComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Christward

How does your preaching demonstrate Christ to the listener?

Church Administration, Doctrinal, TheologyTom BalzamoJanuary 27, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, Bible Study, bad preaching, hermeneutics, exalting ChristComment

Marks of Good Preaching - You Are Not the Main Character

To the preacher who seeks to understand God and relate that understanding to the people, every single passage comes to life!

Church Administration, Doctrinal, TheologyTom BalzamoJanuary 16, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, Bible Study, application, bad preaching, hermeneutics, knowing God, the mind of God, man-centered, God-centered, EstherComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Stable and Learned

A Berean Christian is aware of what real Bible preaching is and should be.

Church Administration, Doctrinal, TheologyTom BalzamoJanuary 3, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, Bible Study, original intent, historical context, literary context, cross references, application, bad preaching, hermeneuticsComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Straight Lines and the Reasonable Person Standard

One must be able to draw as straight of a line as possible from the intent of the passage to the application one is making.

Church Administration, Doctrinal, TheologyTom BalzamoJanuary 3, 2024Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, Bible Study, original intent, historical context, literary context, cross references, application, bad preaching, hermeneuticsComment

My Addiction...

When being a ministry workaholic goes too far…

Practical MattersTom BalzamoDecember 22, 2023Thomas Balzamo, pastoral ministry, vocational ministry, bivocational ministry, church administration, workaholic, rest, productivityComment

Marks of Good Preaching - Original Intent

Without authorial intent, God's people have different opinions of what passages mean based on their desired outcome.

Church Administration, Doctrinal, TheologyTom BalzamoDecember 2, 2023Thomas Balzamo, preaching, sermons, Bible Study, original intent, historical context, literary context, cross references, application, bad preachingComment

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