Author Archives: Corey Sharpe

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About Corey Sharpe

Where do we get our beliefs? Three theological perspectives have significantly shaped my Christian identity: Evangelicalism, the early Methodist tradition and liberation theology. From my coming to faith in a Baptist church and throughout my education in a Baptist school and college, I was nurtured by convictions that emphasized a spiritual rebirth, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the centrality of the Bible. Even when I disagree with certain aspects of evangelicalism, it has deeply influenced my sense of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. My seminary studies spawned my interest in early Methodism, particularly its approach to spiritual formation. Its leaders were convinced that only a foundation of doctrine and discipline would lead to a meaningful transformation of the heart and mind. In other words, having the mind of Christ enables me to be more like Christ. Life in a suburban culture obscures the increasing gap between the poor and rich, as well as the Bible’s close identification with the poor. My doctoral work in socio-cultural context exposed me to liberation theology, which helps me see redemptive history as a history of oppressed groups, written from the perspective of the powerless, about a God who is actively involved with the poor in their struggles. I am now the pastor at Mount Zion United Methodist Church in St Mary’s County, Maryland. Together my wife and I have 4 children.

Is the Resurrection Mysterious?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

The resurrection of Jesus secures our salvation, but it is also connected to something else: Jesus’ resurrection is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).  The Apostle Paul uses an agricultural metaphor to describe our future … Continue reading →

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Should Pastors Have Guaranteed Jobs?

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Should Pastors Have Guaranteed Jobs?

Many United Methodists are concerned about General Conference’s decision to end guaranteed appointments for pastors.  It will create certain challenges for bishops, but overall I support the policy change:  Fewer churches are able to support full-time pastors, and a guaranteed job can make pastors complacent.  And really, how many in our congregations have guaranteed jobs? 

I believe a lesson from early American history is in order here. Back in the colonial days, some states funded certain denominations.  The Episcopal Church was funded by Virginia.  The Congregationalist Church was funded by Massachusetts.  Their pastors had good job security.  The Methodist pastors in early America did not have guaranteed jobs.  If pastors wanted to feed their families, they had to grow their congregations or work a second job usually both).  The non-state supported churches grew and expanded, while the state supported churches declined.

Sure, this isn’t 1609, but maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

Continue reading →

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Is God a Child Abuser?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

The Bible teaches that Christ died as a substitute for sinners. God transferred our guilt to Christ, and he bore our punishment (Isaiah 53:6). This satisfied both the wrath and the righteousness of God (Romans 3:23-25), so that He could … Continue reading →

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Was Jesus Kidnapped?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

What exactly did Christ’s death accomplish?  Throughout church history, several different explanations have been offered, some better than others. The ransom theory of the atonement of Jesus is the teaching that the death of Christ on the cross was a … Continue reading →

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Justice and Public Shame

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Justice and Public Shame

This is not an isolated incident – judges in several states are using public shaming as part of the sentence.  Thieves are forced to carry a sign in front of a stores. Other convicted criminals carry signs with them wherever they go.  Others have to take out ads detailing their crimes.  A convicted murderer, in addition to serving time, was forced to carry a picture of the victim.  

Some have called this excessive, others compare it to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘scarlet letter.’ 

Some, including the judges who hand down these sentences, defend this practice, saying it is a form of justice as well as a crime deterrent.  Is this biblical justice?  In the Old Testament law we do see public spitting as a form of public disgrace — usually for adultery, divorce, or not caring for a brother’s widow.   In some cases the offender was banned from the camp for a period of isolation. 

Is public shame a just punishment for crime? 

Continue reading →

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Did Jesus Know Everything?

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

The Gospels present us with a rather serious theological challenge. If Jesus is divine as well as human, isn’t it reasonable to expect him to know everything? If the Son of God ’emptied himself’ (Phil.2:7) to take on human flesh, … Continue reading →

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Does God Get Angry?

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Historic Christianity believes that Jesus satisfied God’s wrath against sinners on the cross. We find in Scripture (Rom. 3:21–25; Heb. 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10) that Jesus offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice, which removed our guilt and turned God’s … Continue reading →

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‘Doubting Thomas’, a Model for Modern Faith?

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Thomas is often infamously remembered as “Doubting Thomas,”  but is this an accurate label?  Indeed Thomas refused to accept Christ’s resurrection without physical evidence, but how does that set him apart from the others mentioned in the Gospel accounts?  Mary … Continue reading →

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Two Charcoal Fires, Two Peter’s

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Peter warms himself next to two charcoal fires in the last chapters of John’s gospel:  In the court of the high priest where he denied Jesus, and having breakfast with Jesus after the resurrection (read John 21:15-19). Peter must have … Continue reading →

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Jesus descended into hell?

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Christians have long been troubled over what these words in the apostle’s creed actually mean. 1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus preached to those “spirits in prison” who had been disobedient in Noah’s day. If “prison” equals “hell,” then why … Continue reading →

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