EFCA Theology Podcast

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. In this episode, pastor Bill Kynes reads the introduction from Evangelical Convictions for us.

Bill is the senior pastor of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Annandale, Virginia.

You can find the whole book here.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Alejandro Mandes reads chapter 3 of Evangelical Convictions. Alejandro serves as EFCA executive director of the All People Initiative.

Introduction to Immigration

Our primary lens for viewing immigrants is as fellow image bearers, those created in the image of God and having dignity. Our primary lens for understanding immigration should be biblical and missional, not political. Principles that govern our thoughts and actions toward immigrants since they are created in the image of God, fellow image bearers, include sacrificial love, hospitality and missional opportunity.

It is a natural, though sinful, human response to fear outsiders and diminish their humanity. Just as, in and by the Spirit, we counter the sin of pride with the disciplines of humility and gratitude, we must also counter the sins of xenophobia and ethnocentrism with the disciplines of hospitality (Gen. 18) and missional courage (Acts 10). The word of the year in one of the word lists in 2017 was xenophobia, a “fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers.” This is contrary to the exhortation from the writer of Hebrews who writes to Christians, “do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers “philoxenia”(Heb. 13:2). Christians do not exude fear of others, xenophobia, but rather extend love to strangers, philoxenia.

As with any other issue related to sin, sanctification and mission, our movement and our pastors need to speak boldly and clearly about what the Bible says and how that influences every facet of belief and behavior.

Resources

Immigrant Hope Immigrant Hope

Daniel Carroll R. (Rodas), Immigration and the People of God: A Biblical Foundation (Theology Conference 2018)

Love for God and love for families (parents and children)* Greg Strand, “Immigration and “Zero-Tolerance”

National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Greg Strand reads chapter 4 of Evangelical Convictions.

Greg serves as EFCA Director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing. You can find more information about the EFCA's credentialing process here.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Ruth Evans reads chapter 5 of Evangelical Convictions. Ruth serves on the EFCA Board of Directors.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Eddie Cole reads chapter 6 of Evangelical Convictions. Eddie serves as the district superintendent of the EFCA’s Eastern District Association.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Lois McMartin reads chapter 7 of Evangelical Convictions. Lois served as the director of Member Care for EFCA ReachGlobal.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Steven Weathers reads chapter 8 of Evangelical Convictions. Steven previously served as the multicultural ministries director for the EFCA.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book, Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA, to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. On this episode of the podcast, Ray Chang reads chapter 9 of Evangelical Convictions. Ray serves as the senior pastor at Ambassador Church, a multiethnic and multisite EFCA church in California.

In 2008, the EFCA adopted an updated, strengthened Statement of Faith. Following that update, the EFCA Spiritual Heritage Committee wrote the book Evangelical Convictions: An Exposition of the Statement of Faith of the EFCA to help pastors and church leaders better understand what we believe. In this episode, pastor Bill Kynes reads chapter 10 of Evangelical Convictions.

You can read Evangelical Convictions Chapter 1 and the Introduction.

Find the whole book (in print or a kindle version).