Biblical Patterns for Pastoral Discipleship (Slides)
Presented in two sessions to the Central Illinois Regional Conference, Sutter, IL. In the first, we examine the basics of discipleship and the role of pastors in that process, and in the second we look at a 36-week programmatic outline for discipling. Part 1 [gview...
Haggai’s Call to Finish What Was Started (Slides)
The returned exiles from the Babylonian Captivity had begun an important task, but opposition got them off course, and they soon forgot what God commissioned them to do. Haggai's challenge to them reminds us that we need fear no opposition in fulfilling the tasks God...
The Greek Particle (Slides)
No If's, And's or But's (Unless You Actually Want to Understand the Bible) – presented to the Beth Haven Conference, Saturday, November 12, 2016.
“The most effective leadership, management, and efficiency models share traits common with each other, and traits that are ultimately traceable to the pages of the Bible. While these models are often not intentionally rooted in Biblical concepts by those that promote the models, the models illustrate how applying Biblical principles can set a trajectory of success in enterprise and in life. Led By a Lion is designed to introduce some of these leadership, management, and efficiency models, but goes a step further in identifying the Biblical genesis of many of the core traits that fuel the success of these models.”
The Recipe for Racial Unity and Healing
These are troubled times. Protests across the United States illustrate the racial divide that continues to boil over. Racial equality and healing seem like distant dreams. It does not look hopeful that we will see equality practiced and healing take place any time...
An Appeal to American Voters: On the 2016 Presidential Election
My fellow Americans of every race, religion, and creed, I ask you to consider the weight of the moment, and if I let it pass by in silence, I will consider it an irresponsibility, so I voice a simple appeal here. Lost in the noise of personality-politics that has been...
Undergirding Versus Integrating: Where Biblical Truth Fits in Education (Slides)
The PDF file below is the powerpoint slide file for Dr. Cone's presentation to the ACSI Professional Development Forum, October 14, 2016.
“This approach has the advantage of seeking to view all knowledge through the lens of Scripture, and to subject all knowledge to the authority of Scripture. It encourages science and research within the field of psychology. It offers a Biblical balance of description and prescription. Of course, if the Bible is unreliable, then the refractive power of Scripture is distortive rather than corrective, but the epistemological premise of this approach is that God’s word is authoritative and sufficient for our understanding, for our equipping, and for our practice. There are many extra-biblical resources that we can employ, but in seeking out how and when to do that, we mustn’t lose sight of the one reliable constant that God has provided for us – the Bible.” –Chapter 9
The Hebrews Warning Passages: Why They Matter and What They Say
The Letter to the Hebrews is theologically rich, and is both informative and practical. The writer of the letter explains the superiority of Christ and our need to respond to Him properly, and warns readers in eight passages of the consequences for failing to walk...
Gender Design and Distinctions in Position and Practice
The Biblical record is univocal in considering essential differences between man and woman. Genesis 2:20 describes an incompleteness in creation when there was no helper (Heb. ezer) found suitable for Adam. The statement immediately following the identification of the...
Foreshadowing and Fulfillment: The New Testament Use of the Old Testament in John
JOHANNINE PARALLELISM OF FORESHADOWING AND FULFILLMENT: AFFIRMING THE NEW TESTAMENT USE OF OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY AS UNCOMPROMISINGLY LITERAL Presented to the Council on Dispensational Hermeneutics September 15, 2016 Christopher Cone, Th.D, Ph.D, Ph.D President,...
“The Green Tree is an exceptional work…provides a vital tool for every Bible interpreter…Just as the root system is the foundation of a tree and directly impacts the health of a tree, hermeneutic method is at the root of one’s worldview. This illustration demonstrates that the hermeneutic method that an interpreter of the Bible employs will significantly affect the outcome. The tree will either be healthy, or it will not be healthy…The authors provide a unique examination of Revelation, Genesis, and Job that demonstrates that the LGH hermeneutic is derived from within Scripture, something that other hermeneutical methods fail to demonstrate. This is perhaps the most crucial principle demonstrated in The Green Tree, and it effectively demonstrates that the LGH hermeneutic is also the Biblical hermeneutic.” – Andrew Friend (Amazon Review)
The Inaugural Address of Dr. Christopher Cone, President of Calvary University
“Understanding the Challenges, Embracing His Excellence” August 26, 2016 – Thank you so much for your kindness. That I stand here before you today convinces me as much as many other things He has done in my life, that God indeed has a sense of humor. That He should...
Calvary University Convocation Address: Avoid Spiritual Unconsciousness
Convocation Address to Incoming Students of Calvary University, August 24, 2016, by Dr. Christopher Cone – Men and women of the incoming class, we are indeed privileged to welcome you to Calvary University. You are embarking on a journey that is not vague or...
The VERITAS Formula for Organizational Leadership
The VERITAS formula for organizational leadership is really about leading people and helping them to become who they are designed to be. The formula is rooted in the principle that from God’s mouth comes knowledge and understanding (Prov 2:6). God’s word is true, and...
Why Do Bad Things Happen?
You recall how the story goes – God and Satan are having a discussion about a man named Job. He was a man of great character whom God had given much wealth and blessing. God commends Job, and Satan accuses Job, betting that Job would deny God if God would simply allow...
Breaking the Hinge in the Free-Will vs. Sovereignty Debate
One simple premise undergirds the ideas that either humanity has free volition or that God is sovereign, and that ultimately the two concepts are mutually exclusive. That premise is the hinge upon which the argument turns, favoring either human freedom or Divine...
The Beautiful Paradox: God’s Unfathomability and Knowability
In response to the question of whether or not science makes belief in God obsolete, Christopher Hitchens (who ultimately answers the question in the negative), suggested that, “It will not do to say, in reply to this, that the lord moves in mysterious ways. Those who...
Radio (KPRZ) Interview with David Spoon about sandiegofellowship.org
Radio interview with the David Spoon Experience (KPRZ) on the launch of SDF, the importance of having a church home, and the difference between making meals and bringing people into the kitchen.
Considering Whether the Revelatory Functions in 1 Corinthians 13 Have Already Ceased or Not
Presented to the SCS Faculty Symposium on the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, July 27, 2015 Introduction While not the only passage on the topic, 1 Corinthians 13 is a pivotal context on the issue of whether or not the revelatory gifts continue for the...
A Brief Introduction to Philosophical Inquiry and Components of Worldview, Part 1: Addressing the Epistemological Questions
There are four major areas of philosophical inquiry that make up the basic components of worldview: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and socio-political philosophy. Epistemology (the study of knowledge) addresses the question of how can know what is true and what is...
The Peter Principles: Peter’s Formula for Using “Spiritual” Gifts
Peter presents the purpose of the gift and the employment of the gift in 4:11b: “so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Again, this is very simple. The purpose is theocentric and doxological – centered on Him and for His glory. Peter’s principles, then, for gifts are as follows…