Thursday, September 06, 2007

R.I.P.

Yesterday marked the passing of Dr. Dennis James Kennedy (76) of complications from the heart attack he suffered last December. He was pastor of Coral Ridge Ministries in Florida, which grew from an initial 45 or so members to a mega-church with a radio and TV ministry as well. He was a staunch and unapologetic defender of the faith with a strong concern for the state of America and her culture. He will be greatly missed, but I've little doubt that Christ will open his arms to D. James saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

8 comments:

Erudite Redneck said...

Jesus will definitely welcome Dr. Kennedy with open arms. I seriously doubt, however, that it will have jack to do with his concern over America and its culture.

As a former E.E. practitioner, and one who still thinks those two questions are wonderful ways to start a conversation that might lead one to Christ, I reserve the right to say that. :-)

Marshal Art said...

ER,

I'm happy we agree on your first statement. I'd like to qualify the second if you don't mind. Though we may disagree as to whether the nation and it's culture is something for which we, or he, should be concerned, the fact that he felt he was working to bring America toward a closer relationship with Christ is laudable indeed.

I'm embarrassed to say that I don't recall what E.E. is and I know it's been spoken of on Kennedy's radio show often enough. As I'm feeling lazy, please be a dude and spell it out for me. I'm sure it has to do with a style or method of Evangelism, no?

Erudite Redneck said...

If you darkened my blog door once in awhile, you'da seen this on a post the other day. :-)


The heart of Evangelism Explosion:

1. Do you know for sure that when you die you are going to go to be with God in heaven?

2. If God were to ask you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" what would you say?

That's a great way to start a discussion and, for some, the beginning of a lifelong journey seeking a relationship with God.

Here's a link:

http://www.eeinternational.org/DYKFS/dykfs.htm

hashfanatic said...

"..Following God’s blueprint, EE began in the “Jerusalem” of one church in Fort Lauderdale, moved into the “Judea” of other U.S. churches, continued into the “Samaria” of other denominations and cultures, and spread throughout the world to every nation!

-D. James Kennedy, Ph.D."


'Nuff said.

Erudite Redneck said...

Whatever, Hash. Christianity spread from Palestine across the world. To read anything more into that is lookin' for a fight. As I have enough fights on my hands, allow me to sidestep that'un. :-)

Marshal Art said...

ER,

I don't think Hash was lookin' fer a fight. He was merely quoting from the good Doctor, reprinting the man's allegory (or is it "metaphor"---damn!)

Mark said...

I agree with you, Art. I am a Southern Baptist, born and bred, but if I ever changed denominations, I would be a Presbetarian (if I could spell it)solely because I find myself so often in agreement with Kennedy and another Presberarian pastor, Pastor Tim.

Marshal Art said...

I wish I could decide in which denomination I belong. Currently, I'm in a UCC Congregation. I really like all the people, even the pastor, with whom I am almost polar opposite politically speaking. But I don't much care for the things this denomination supports (and I don't just mean the homosexual thing). I intend to interrogate a particular neighbor of mine, who appear to be similar in may ways, to find out where they go and why. As much as I liked Dr. Kennedy, I've not investigated too deeply his denomination. He may or may not reflect the entirety of their postiions, but I really have no idea.