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.

The Compassion of Judas Iscariot

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

The name of Judas Iscariot went down to the pages of history as the man who betrayed Jesus. Luke attributes this to Satan.  Matthew and Mark say it was because of greed.  John points to both, and also adds theft … Continue reading →

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Md. Lottery Officials: Winning Ticket Unclaimed

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Md. Lottery Officials: Winning Ticket Unclaimed

Lottery ticket sales are big business, and proceeds from the Maryland Lottery support services and programs such as education, public health and public safety.  What could possibly be wrong with this? 

Scripture does not explicitly oppose gambling, but are there biblical principles that could apply here? Consider the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:16) for an example biblical stewardship.  Another question to consider: Is gambling a personal matter, or are we responsible social effects?  Studies have linked gambling to addiction, poverty and crime, but does that make purchasing a lottery ticket a bad thing?  Lottery tickets are a path to quick riches (for the one-in-176 million), but where else might this path lead? (1 Timothy 6:7–10) 

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Bodily Christianity

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Spiritual growth. Spiritual formation. Spiritual. I use these words because I think they’re important, because I think we neglect these. But let’s not forget the body. Next week we remember our God who took on a human body, and subjected … Continue reading →

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Zip line 2.0

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Julie’s dad worked hard this week to get this running again. Do we have the coolest parsonage or what?

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“Good Friday…or was it Wednesday or Thursday?” by Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Corey Sharpe

Scripture clearly predicted in Matthew 12:40 "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (cf. … Continue reading →

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Kirk Cameron: Dead birds aren’t the end of the world – The Marquee Blog – CNN.com Blogs

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Corey Sharpe

After thousands of birds mysteriously fell out of the sky in Arkansas on New Year's Eve, it was only natural that Anderson Cooper turned to an expert for an explanation. Enter Kirk Cameron. via marquee.blogs.cnn.com All worthy intellectual paths lead … Continue reading →

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Author: More teens becoming ‘fake’ Christians – CNN

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Corey Sharpe

If you're the parent of a Christian teenager, Kenda Creasy Dean has this warning: Your child is following a "mutant" form of Christianity, and you may be responsible. via articles.cnn.com Dean worked as a researcher with the National Study of … Continue reading →

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Evangelism According to John Howard Yoder

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Corey Sharpe

John Howard Yoder says that communal practices like baptism, the eucharist, the opening meeting, and binding and loosing are the Gospel, in that the good news “is by definition always public; it is proclaimed in the open…it cannot be esoteric … Continue reading →

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Evangelism or Mass Marketing?

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Corey Sharpe

Rethink Church is the new outreach plan released on May 6 by United Methodist Communications.  A website dedicated to seekers ages 18-34, http://www.10thousanddoors.org uses images of doors, demonstrating numerous ways one can enter into a relationship with a congregation.  The … Continue reading →

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Wesley’s General Rules, Not Programs

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Corey Sharpe

     The United Methodist Church should seriously consider the place of the General Rules in forming its identity as the people of God in the world.  More specifically, we should explore how these rules functioned in the Methodist movement not … Continue reading →

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