Deus Misereatur

Plain Theology for Plain People Charles Octavius Boothe Lexham Press 1313 Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225, USA https://lexhampress.com/ ISBN: 9781683590347; $14.99; (1890) 2017 G.K. Chesterton once penned, “Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about” (“Orthodoxy”). Lexham Press has taken a good stab at this “democracy of the dead” by resuscitating “Plain Theology for Plain People” written in 1890 by an emancipated slave who became a Christian preacher, Charles Octavius Boothe. This small, 151 page re-typeset, reworked paperback was written by Boothe to help fellow emancipated slaves, who had little education and little time to obtain formal instruction, grow deeper in the depths of God’s love in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is easily accessible for folks from every walk of life. As Boot...

Deaconing and Deacons 2 Corinthians 6.1-10 What in the world is a deacon? What are deacons supposed to be doing? Who should be deacons? Where did the office of deacons arise from? How do deacons benefit our congregation? These are great questions and likely flutter and float in the backs of our minds whenever we have an officer election and installation. I will try to answer these questions and others as I discuss deaconing and deacons. Deaconing : As we begin with our passage, Paul describes his Gospel work, as a diaconal service, using two nouns – one for the work, “ We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry ( ha diakonia 3) and one for his person engaged in the work, “ but as servants of God (theou diakonoi ) we commend ourselves in every way ” (4). Almost never is the word deacon used of an official office, but almost completely used of occupation, not about a label as much as the labor, not concerned with position as wi...

Mighty God, who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, who says “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57.15). O dwell with us and revive us! O Lord, our Lord, we pray for Heritage Presbyterian Church, for these churches around Oklahoma City – Hilltop Assembly of God; Inner-City Church; Maranatha Assembly of God; New Life Assembly of God; and North Church ; for your church in all places and your people being hammered and hounded and hunted down world over. We all profess our love and adoration for you and we all confess that we are saved by your invasive and merciful love. Now, Lord, cause us to become what you have made us: Children of the Living, Holy God, who are no longer wooed by the father of lies, who are no longer caught in the snares of our own lusts and pride, but those who are thoroughly loyal to you. Gi...