Pisteuomen - πιστευομεν - T. Michael W. Halcomb

In order to make my original Getting (Theological) German site fit better with the rest of my theological languages sites, I decided to relaunch it. Also, I didn't want to keep paying for a url, so, I figured that having all the urls similar would also be a good thing. Therefore, in addition to Getting Greek , Getting Aramaic and Getting (Theological) French (just launched yesterday!), Getting (Theological) German is now up and running on a new site. Click HERE to see it. Spread the word. Also, be on the lookout for Getting Hebrew, which is in development! Grace and peace. -Michael Halcomb

Today, I'm proud to announce the launch of my latest theological language site: Getting French . With only a day left before I head to Africa, I wanted to launch it before I took off because I did not know when / how often I'd have internet access abroad. Anyway, like my other language sites ( Getting Greek , Getting Aramaic , Getting German ), this one is easy-to-navigate, is (soon to be) loaded with FREE resources to help you learn (Theological) French & will, as frequently as possible, be updated. If you find the site helpful, want to assist in developing it and/or want to leave a comment, please, contact Michael via the following link: Contact . If the site has benefited you, feel free to donate. All donations will go towards creating new modules. The "Getting French" name and trademark (logo) are the property of T. Michael W. Halcomb and may not be used without his consent. By the way, I just got word a couple of days ago from my host provider that Getting...

Here is a 1-page study resource that contains 85 French academic words, designed to help those studying (Theological) French. As usual, this is another FREE resources!!! Anyway, check it out and when you're done, if you haven't already, look at the 9 parts of my "Getting Theological French" notes in the table below. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the "Getting (Theological) French" website! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 5 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 7 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 9 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 6 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 8 "

Here is a 1 and 1/2 page guide to 85 French slang / colloquialisms, for those studying (Theological) French. While some of these may not appear in scholarly articles, some may. So, take the time to work w/these terms / phrases. As usual, this is another FREE resources!!! Anyway, check it out and when you're done, if you haven't already, look at the 8 parts of my "Getting Theological French" notes in the table below. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the "Getting (Theological) French" website! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 5 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 7 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 6 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French,...

Here is a 1-page guide to numbers, for those studying (Theological) French. As usual, this is another FREE resources!!! Anyway, check it out and when you're done, if you haven't already, look at the 7 parts of my "Getting Theological French" notes in the table below. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the "Getting (Theological) French" website! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 5 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 7 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 6 "

Here's a compilation (a little dated but still funny) of some Asbury Theological Seminary profs, that I think you'll enjoy:

Here's a sermon I delivered recently. It covers the beginning of Jesus' movements in Mk among other things. Check it out. (Note: It may take a moment to load.)

Several people have sent me messages wondering how they might get the word out about my upcoming trip to Ethiopia. So, I thought I'd just make another post that people could link to. If you're interested in the trip, basically what I'll be doing is teaching ministers and lay leaders at an accredited theological college / seminary for 1 month, teaching believers and lay persons at a local church for 1 week, and working with HIV victims, especially children, serving in some of the poorest areas of the world and supporting some of the local missionaries there. I expect the trip to be emotionally draining but spiritual edifying. I know great things are in store even though I am a bit nervous to be away from my wife and kids for that amount of time. Anyway, if you want to know more, you can contact me via the form below. If you want to give, you can click the donate button below too. Thanks so much. -Michael

Here is a great 14-page guide and summary for those studying (Theological) French, especially those using Janet Ritch's, Reading French: A Guide for Students of Religion and Theology . Put together by one of my classmates and friends, Sue Lubinksas, this aid covers many of the basics needed to get a grasp on French. Again, this is another FREE resources!!! Anyway, check it out and when you're done, if you haven't already, look at the 6 parts of my "Getting Theological French" notes in the table below. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the "Getting (Theological) French" website! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 5 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 6 "

Here is a great little 4-page summary for those studying (Theological) French. Put together by one of my classmates and friends, Ryan Juza, this aid covers verbs, verb endings, compound verbs, conjunctions, interrogatives, pronouns, prepositions, relative clause formation, uses of Que, irregular verbs and impersonals. The best part (other than the fact that its yours free!!!): It's all done within 4 pages!!! Anyway, check it out and when you're done, if you haven't already, look at the 5 parts of my "Getting Theological French" notes in the table below. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the "Getting (Theological) French" website! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 5 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 "

One of the greatest poets to ever grace the face of this earth, Maya Angelou, once said, "I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself." Last November / December when my family traveled to Ethiopia, we were nearly 9,000 miles from home but we felt safe, sound and welcomed by the Ethiopia Guest Home. Our hosts, drivers, translators, housemates...they were all great! The motto of the Ethiopia Guest Home is "More Than A Place To Stay." This is so true! At the Ethiopia Guest Home you have opportunities to make friends and build relationships in a way that you would not be able to at any old hotel. Also, they amenities are fantastic, the food is catered to Americans and the service is top-notch. As I prepare to travel in a few weeks, I look forward to going back to the Ethiopia Guest Home (at 3 locations) because I know that I will be cared for. If you're ever in Ethiopia, if you plan to take a mission trip, if you plan to go and vis...

It's been a while since I've utilized this feature of Pisteuomen, but I'm proud to resurrect it and bring it back to life, the feature is: A Beginning Blogger . I started this feature for the following reasons (here's what I wrote in the initial piece about it): "...I realize how tough it is to get people to visit your site, comment, add you to their blogroll, etc. Now, I've done a lot to make my blog both resource and user-friendly and I believe that's contributed to its success but it might have also helped if some more well-known persons helped draw attention to Pisteuomen. Well, with the conviction that the biblio-blogosphere is not about constantly catering to the egos of a select few or having to be around for years in order to make it (among other things, like creating a resourceful, edifying online community), I thought I'd add this feature." The Beginning Blogger that I'd like to mention today is Daniel J. Levy. Daniel maintains the bl...

That's the news from Solid Rock Church out of Monroe, OH. Yep, that's right, they plan to rebuild the statue and fork over the $700,000+ to do it. What a shame! As one who will be heading to Ethiopia in 2 weeks and am struggling to raise $2,000 to go teach pastors and students and to serve orphans, this is a travesty! Shame on this hedonistic and fatalistic theology that the church is espousing. One of the ministers at Solid Rock, Pastor Hooks commented on the statue saying, "We don’t know the mind of God, but I say God’s hand is in everything and everything happens for a reason...The first Jesus was resurrected in three days. It's going to take us a little longer than three days but he (the statue) will be back. He's like the Terminator. He's coming back." After church leaders vowed Tuesday to rebuild, one pastor, Darlene Bishop said, "It’s such a monument. It’s like people know Monroe by the statue of Jesus. It’s important that we rebuild....

That's right...Big Butter Jesus has been sunk! Face first into the lake he was hovering above went the ginormous statue when it was hit with lightning. Perhaps he was tired of being mocked or maybe he was out to tell Solid Rock Church to quit being sooooo crazy! Either way, the butter statue that looked like he was signaling "touchdown" has bit the dust. James McGrath has a list of bloggers who've been talking about it. I've written a couple of posts about this statute ( HERE and HERE ) but check out their comments on the statue's demise HERE . And a link courtesy of my father-in-law, here's a video of it:

And this is the proof!!! And this is only one of many reasons I REFUSE to use it!!! Tons of blogs went down today...too bad for you Wordpress folks. Come on over to Blogger...you'll get much better service! Didn't this happen back in February , by the way? It seems like you all would get fed up. Anyway...

As I begin to explore the issue of pacifism in greater depth, I do hope that you, my readers and discussion partners, will show civility and patience. As we are all aware, this is a very touchy subject for some and oftentimes when this issue is addressed in the public forum, emotions can override common sense and zeal can overtake civility and thoughtfulness. Remember, this is an "exploration" of pacifism and as such, I do not believe I already have all the answers. Just as well, I choose the term "exploration," because this is a viewpoint I hold but which I want to see if I can substantiate further, especially, as I said in Pt. 1, from social, economic, historical, theological, philosophical, exegetical and other vantage points. In addition, I would say that regardless of your viewpoint on this matter already, I think that pacifists and non-pacifists alike should admit that within their belief systems there are tensions; neither belief system is without its deb...

Well, at least that's the impression I got when I saw their facebook ad, which looked like a couple of guys arm wrestling. Boy, Sylvester Stallone would've been a champ in this school! OVER THE TOP!!!

In the 5th installation of my Getting (Theological) French notes, I offer 63 very common expressions of time. For readings of biblical-theological history and scripture, having a grasp on expressions of time is crucial. So, spend some time and add these 63 expressions to your repertoire. Once you're done, check out the other installations of these notes in the table at the foot of this post. Enjoy! + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 1 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 3 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 2 " + Link: " Getting (Theological) French, Pt. 4 "

A week or so ago, I received an invitation from Thomas Nelson publishers to get a pre-sale copy of Frank Viola & Leonard Sweet's new book Jesus Manifesto . Not being one to pass up free books, I gladly took the offer. This new book went on sale today over at Amazon.com . Here at Pisteuomen and over at Thomas Nelson , you can preview some of Jesus Manifesto by using the widget above. Here's a brief description of what you'll find in Jesus Manifesto : "Christians have made the gospel about so many things—things other than Christ. Religious concepts, ideas, doctrines, strategies, methods, techniques, programs, and formulas have all eclipsed the beauty, the glory, and the reality of the Lord Jesus Himself. On the whole, the Christian family today is starved for a real experience of the living Christ. We know a lot about our Lord, but we don't know Him very well. We know a lot about trying to be like Jesus, but very little about living by His indwelling life. ...

Pisteuomen has always been a biblical studies blog and it shall always remain one. Lately, there has been a lot of focus on biblical studies languages and of course, there is no plan to change that. I have also focused on theological issues such as prayer, adoption and numerous other things. One issue that I have been thinking about for a long time, a matter that I really want to flesh out, is that of pacifism. For me, at this point in time, my bent towards pacifism comes from following and adhering to the ethic of none other than Jesus Christ himself. However, I want to explore more whether or not a theology / philosophy of pacifism can be sustained, especially by scriptural exegesis. So, I'm starting a new series called "Exploring Pacifism." In this series I hope to explore the psychological, ideological, theological, social, exegetical, historical and practical aspects of pacifism. I hope you will enjoy this new series and I hope that we can all be gracious and...