Hugh Halter - Brimstone: The Art and Act of Holy Nonjudgment

NOTES

3 Dont Be a Stoner: Time to Drop the Rocks

4 Hinge Point: The World Hangs in the Balance

5 Missing-ology: Nonjudgment 401

.N. T. Wright, How Can the Bible Be Authoritative? (Laing Lecture 1989, and the Griffith Thomas Lecture 1989). Originally published in Vox Evangelica (1991), 21: 732.

7 Our Clandestine Calling: Rethinking Reconciliation

In a small town there is only one bakery.

Jesus is the baker.

Two gay men walk in and ask Him to bake a cake for their wedding.

Would Jesus bake the cake?

CONTENTS

BRIMSTONE

Published by David C Cook

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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

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All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced, scanned, resold, or distributed by or through any print or electronic medium without written permission from the publisher. This ebook is licensed solely for the personal and noncommercial use of the original authorized purchaser, subject to the terms of use under which it was purchased. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked ASV are taken from the American Standard Version. (Public Domain.); AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org.); ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved; KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain.); MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE . Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

LCCN 2014959545

ISBN 978-1-4347-0653-9

eISBN 978-0-7814-1330-5

2015 Hugh Halter

The author is represented by and this book is published in association with the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

The Team: Alex Field, Jamie Chavez, Amy Konyndyk, Karen Athen

Cover Design: Nick Lee

Cover Photo: Shutterstock

First Edition 2015

HUGH HALTER is a pastor and popular author of numerous books including Flesh , The Tangible Kingdom , AND , Sacrilege , and Primer . Hugh and his wife, Cheryl, are presently enjoying the spoils of empty-nest living. They love to use their ranch as a haven of celebration, hospitality, and friendship to the lost and least on the south side of Denver.

Visit DCCeBooks.com for more great reads.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Id simply like to thank a band of friends whom Cheryl and I have come to love as people deeply committed to the family of Jesus but whom we can always let down with, whom we can trust any of our friends to, and who help us keep a sense of humor along the way of real life. I know we are all responsible in some capacity in leadership, in the church, in our families, and in our community, but its nice to have friends who follow Jesus without all the religious crud. To our Adullam friends who have partied and served with us over this last decade. To my mens group (Jay Pathak, Dave Runyon, Carl Medearis, and Brad Corrigan) that meets only twice a year because we dont like meetings but with whom I processed this book over illegal putt-putt golf. To the missional family Ive had the privilege of traveling with over this last stretch (Al and Deb Hirsch, Mike and Carolyn Frost, Lance and Sherri Ford, Brad and Mischele Brisco, and Mike and Sally Breen). And to our Austin group, Brandon and Jen Hatmaker, and special thanks to Tray and Jenny Pruet for sharing the fateful night around our fire pit and coming up with the entire outline and title of Brimstone in one sitting while staring into the burning cauldron.

Thanks, mates!

Hugh

What people are saying about

BRIMSTONE

There are not many Christian authors who are willing to tackle some of the hardest realities of faith and life. Hugh continues to impress with his willingness to address the difficult subject of judgment. For better or worse, all of us wrestle with judging others and being judged. Hugh gives a strong account of how the church should engage with the world and how judgment plays into that picture. Catalyst is grateful for writers like Hugh who help us challenge leaders who love the church!

Tyler Reagin, executive director of Catalyst

Jesus gave us His mission of seeking and saving the lost, and He gave us Hugh Halter as a voice calling us back to that mission and helping us learn how to do it effectively. Hugh helps us see why the news about God and eternal life truly is good news. Read this book, and let it inspire you to share His news with everyone!

Vince Antonucci, pastor of Verve Church and author of Renegade and God for the Rest of Us

Hugh is raw and honest even when its ugly. But I love his style because Brimstone is the kind of book that reminds me that its Gods mercynot my well-fashioned opinionsthat will change hearts and transform lives. Read it and weep; youll be better for it.

Jo Saxton, chair of 3DMovements and author of More than Enchanting

Today, Jesuss response to sin and sinners would land Him in hot water with the church He died for. He would be on so many blacklists. If the Christian response to this world, its people, and its struggles have left you cold, disillusioned, rejected, or confused, Brimstone is the humble, gentle guide youve been looking for. I seriously wish I could force every single person I know to read this. It would absolutely transform our Christian presence and earn us back a hearing with a world that has stopped listening.

Jen Hatmaker, author of Interrupted and For the Love

Hugh Halter brings attention and light to a much-needed conversation not only in the church but also in society at large today. This book will challenge and inspire you.

Brad Lomenick, founder of Catalyst

In a day when social media has made it so easy to judge others, Hugh Halter has given us a gift in writing Brimstone . Read it and apply it to all you think, write, post, tweet, or do in your journey to becoming a good neighbor.