Learning to read the Bible in the light of the times in which it was written is critical. Reading it uncritically, without understanding the cultural and historical setting of the text, leaves us forced to accept scientific and sociological norms of the ancient Near East from 3,000 years ago. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
If God is not sending earthquakes, destroying economies and inflicting pain upon human beings, what is God doing? God works through people, calling them to help their neighbors in need. God comforts His people, walking with them even ‘through the valley of the shadow of death.’ Adam Hamilton Read Quote
I think that what happens for many Christians is, they accept their particular faith, they accept it to be true, and they stop examining it. Consequently, because it’s already accepted to be true, they don’t examine other people’s faiths… That, I think, is not healthy for a person of any faith. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
Our society is divided by the culture wars into the Left and Right, and the United Methodist Church has always stood historically in the center and has been willing to listen to and to bring together those things that often are found in opposite camps. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
People are drawn to preaching that is passionate and offered with conviction. Passion comes when the preacher has spent significant time with the text, and when God has spoken through the text in a way that addresses the preacher’s life first. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
One thing that helps to stretch me is to listen to other preacher’s sermons. Every year, I will listen to at least ten other preachers, both to hear God speak to me, and also to evaluate their preaching to see what I can learn and how I can improve my own preaching. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
When sermons start where people live – their questions, struggles, and concerns – and then offer a timely and helpful word from the Scriptures, people are more interested in hearing what else the Scriptures have to say. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
You are not indispensable to your church, but you are indispensable to your family. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
I am a pastor, and I teach and preach the Bible to my congregation every week. But the Bible is not a manufacturer’s handbook. Neither is it a science textbook nor a guidebook for public policy. Adam Hamilton Read Quote
