Matt Capps Biblical Theology, Christian Theology, Christianity, Faith, LifeWay, LifeWay Church Resources, Pastoral Ministry, Religion, The Gospel Project, The Great Commission Resurgence, The Southern Baptist Convention, Theology

The Gospel Project Experience: May 17-18

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On May 17-18, LifeWay is hosting The Gospel Project Experience – a conference that will focus on the main events of the gospel. The purpose of The Gospel Project Experience is to walk participants through the entire gospel story (incarnation, life of Christ, death, resurrection, and second coming). J.D. Greear, David Nasser, Ed Stetzer, Trevin Wax and Ken Whitten will each speak on one of those five gospel themes. Matt Boswell will lead worship for the event.

For those who are currently using or considering LifeWay’s Gospel Project Bible study, there will be break-out sessions that help train and inform participants on how to get the most out of the Bible study. But even if you are not using The Gospel Project, you are invited to attend.

Prayerfully this event will be a time of refreshment, training, and inspiration focused on living out the implications of the gospel in your life, in your church family, and in your community.

The Gospel Project, led by General Editor Ed Stetzer and Managing Editor Trevin Wax, is designed to unify the entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. In every lesson that each age group studies, participants are immersed in the gospel story and ultimately challenged to live on mission for God. If you’re not sure what it is, I’d invite you to check it out when you have a moment. You can even sample four of the lessons for free.

Matt Capps Biblical Theology, Christian Theology, Christianity, Pastoral Ministry, Religion, The Gospel Project, The Great Commission Resurgence, The Southern Baptist Convention, Theology

Biblical Theology as a Bridge Discipline

Biblical Theology Diagram

What is biblical theology? In once sense, all good disciplined theological reflection on the Bible could be called “biblical theology”. However, there is also the discipline of biblical theology. I think Elmer Martens described the discipline of biblical theology well;

Biblical theology attempts to embrace the message of the Bible and to arrive at an intelligible coherence of the whole despite the great diversity of the parts. Or, to put it another way: Biblical theology investigates the themes presented in Scripture and defines their inter-relationships. Biblical theology is an attempt to get to the theological heart of the Bible.

Now, let me explain why I believe that the discipline of  biblical theology is of utmost importance. Most seminary students are required to complete courses in Old Testament, New Testament, and Systematic Theology. Many of these seminarians exit their studies with a good grasp of the two testaments on their own, and a good understanding of systematized theological subjects, but have a hard time putting it all together. To add to that problem, these seminarians graduate into pastoral ministry contexts and begin perpetuating a segmented understanding of the Bible throughout the Church.

Continue reading “Biblical Theology as a Bridge Discipline” →

Matt Capps Biblical Theology, Books, Christian Theology, Christianity, Faith, LifeWay, LifeWay Church Resources, Pastoral Ministry, The Gospel Project, The Great Commission Resurgence, The Southern Baptist Convention, Theology

We are moving to Nashville, TN!

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After much prayer and wise counsel I accepted a position with LifeWay Church Resources in Nashville, TN. I will be joining the Church Resources Division as the Brand Manager and Strategist for The Gospel Project.

The Gospel Project is a Bible study resource that invites adults, students, and kids of all ages to dive deeply into God’s story of redemption through Jesus Christ. In every lesson, participants are immersed in the gospel and learn how when the gospel works on them, they become a part of the story, the very hands and feet in God’s gospel project.

This is a solid biblical resource for the church. I have linked to a few PDF’s from The Gospel Project website to give you a sense of the material.

There are a few particular elements of The Gospel Project that are unique when compared to other small group or Sunday school resources. First, the material delivers a combination of story, systematic and biblical theology, and missional application. Moreover, the material is always pointing to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Second, each session offers an in-depth study with discussion questions, focusing small groups and Sunday School classes toward a lifestyle of gospel-centered discipleship. Third, The Gospel Project is designed to unify an entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. Separate study plans for adults, students, and kids ensure the proper focus and depth for each age group.

Beyond the material, I also look forward to joining The Gospel Project team! LifeWay has assembled a stellar team of churchmen and theologians.

  • The Marketing Department is led by Jon Emery, from whom I have a lot to learn.
  • The Church Resources Division is led by Eric Geiger.
  • The Gospel Project is led by General Editor Ed Stetzer and Managing Editor Trevin Wax.
  • Our new neighbors will be Micah Fries and Jonathan Howe.

Pray for us as we make this transition to Nashville by mid-February. We will miss our church family at Calvary West dearly, but we believe this is a wonderful opportunity to minister to the universal church. Allow me to borrow the words of the Apostle Paul in regards to Calvary:

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.