It’s with his typical insight and simplicity that theologian Warren Wiersbe opens his commentary on James (p. 15):
Not everybody who grows old, grows up. There’s a vast difference between age and maturity. Ideally, the older we are, the more mature we should be; but too often the ideal does not become the real.
The result is problems—problems in personal lives, in homes, and in churches. As a pastor, I see more problems in these areas caused by a maturity than by anything else. If Christians we just grow up, they would become victors instead of victims.
The epistle of James was written to help us understand and attain spiritual maturity: “… That ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4). I like the way J. B. Phillips puts it: ‘… and you will find you have become men of mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots.’
To help us explore this maturity-encouraging, growth-inspiring, God-inspired writing we welcome Dr. Fred Chay to the podcast. Dr. Chay is the founder of Grace Line Ministry, professor of theology and dean of the doctoral studies program at Grace School of Theology, and managing editor of Grace Theology Press.
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Dr. Chay has been actively involved in formal ministry for more than four decades both in the pastorate and in the academy. He’s the founder and president of Grace Line ministries, a theology professor and academic dean at Grace School of Theology, and managing editor of Grace Theology Press. He has a number of books published covering a variety of topics.
Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.