Really appreciate the wisdom shared here! As a pastor and writer, I'm looking to grow in these areas of articulating the message of the Gospel in artful ways.
What I DON'T appreciate is reading all of this brisket stuff at 10:15 at night after my intermittent fasting window has closed. Thanks a lot. 😂 Seriously though, great work, David!
Thank you, Dr. Watson. You always inspire me to be a better writer. This comparison is priceless. A thoughtful, appetite stirring pit full of helpful guidance.
I'm a brisketeer myself, having also grown up in Texas. I now live in NC, and I do brisket that everyone loves. My brisket guru is Aaron Franklin whose 3 part video I often watch for pure pleasure. (Pepper and salt only, thank you!)
But as to "theological writing," I don't trust myself to enter that minefield but depend on thinkers like Gilbert Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien.
Thanks David. As a fellow brisket smoker and theological writer I really enjoyed this piece. The only thing I would add is that although trimming is important for all the reasons you suggested, it’s also possible to trim too much and to lose some of the nuance of the piece in the process. Thanks for continuing to share with us. I appreciate your work and I appreciate you! Someday, God willing, maybe I can taste some of your brisket as well.
Dear David, today you wrote about being called a “Brisketeer”. I call my vegan son, David, a Pepperteer”. When you both arrive at the heavenly Banquet, you will be at one end of the banquet table where the brisket lovers gather, and David will be at the other end of the table where the vegans gather. God, the Host, knows all of us intimately, including our likes and dislikes, so our favorite dishes will be served. David likes Thai food best, but especially the delicate difference between all available peppers. Once, while in Thailand, he asked for the hottest pepper available for a particular dish. Many people gathered to watch what would happen to him as he ate that pepper!
For Bible believing Christians, there is a delicate difference between all the available churches. Some will be drawn to churches that offer one perfect style of ministry and worship (perfectly smoked brisket), while others are drawn to a variety of churches as long as the proper invitation to accept Jesus (the right pepper heat), is offered in their ministry and worship.
After studying John Wesley, we can see over the years that he trimmed away the un-essentials and before he arrived at the banquet table he said, “The best is yet to come!”
Dr. Watson, being a native Texan myself, I can fully appreciate this article. I personally prefer barbecued ribs myself, but I believe a similar process would apply. I appreciate your theological writings as well. I always find them seasoned with wisdom and depth, yet written at a level that even a layman as myself can fully understand. Thank you.
I enjoyed the piece. I have an issue and a question for you though. First, pulled pork is superior barbecue. Yes, I understand that Texans think brisket is better, and I can forgive that misunderstanding of the exquisiteness of pulled pork that has been properly kissed by hickory smoke for sixteen hours. Brisket is good, just not as good. Second, I'd like to know what translation you used for Matthew 5:13 please?
Really appreciate the wisdom shared here! As a pastor and writer, I'm looking to grow in these areas of articulating the message of the Gospel in artful ways.
What I DON'T appreciate is reading all of this brisket stuff at 10:15 at night after my intermittent fasting window has closed. Thanks a lot. 😂 Seriously though, great work, David!
Thank you, Dr. Watson. You always inspire me to be a better writer. This comparison is priceless. A thoughtful, appetite stirring pit full of helpful guidance.
I'm a brisketeer myself, having also grown up in Texas. I now live in NC, and I do brisket that everyone loves. My brisket guru is Aaron Franklin whose 3 part video I often watch for pure pleasure. (Pepper and salt only, thank you!)
But as to "theological writing," I don't trust myself to enter that minefield but depend on thinkers like Gilbert Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien.
And I loved this article. Thanks, David!
Thanks David. As a fellow brisket smoker and theological writer I really enjoyed this piece. The only thing I would add is that although trimming is important for all the reasons you suggested, it’s also possible to trim too much and to lose some of the nuance of the piece in the process. Thanks for continuing to share with us. I appreciate your work and I appreciate you! Someday, God willing, maybe I can taste some of your brisket as well.
As a heterodox Californian, I believe we will eat Santa Maria tri-tip in the sky (possibly cooked by Santa Maria herself!)
Thank you for your writing. I appreciate all of the love and labor that goes into it.
This was all delicious. :)
Dear David, today you wrote about being called a “Brisketeer”. I call my vegan son, David, a Pepperteer”. When you both arrive at the heavenly Banquet, you will be at one end of the banquet table where the brisket lovers gather, and David will be at the other end of the table where the vegans gather. God, the Host, knows all of us intimately, including our likes and dislikes, so our favorite dishes will be served. David likes Thai food best, but especially the delicate difference between all available peppers. Once, while in Thailand, he asked for the hottest pepper available for a particular dish. Many people gathered to watch what would happen to him as he ate that pepper!
For Bible believing Christians, there is a delicate difference between all the available churches. Some will be drawn to churches that offer one perfect style of ministry and worship (perfectly smoked brisket), while others are drawn to a variety of churches as long as the proper invitation to accept Jesus (the right pepper heat), is offered in their ministry and worship.
After studying John Wesley, we can see over the years that he trimmed away the un-essentials and before he arrived at the banquet table he said, “The best is yet to come!”
Great article, writing certainly is a craft, requiring time to refine, and have the salt and fire!
Dr. Watson, being a native Texan myself, I can fully appreciate this article. I personally prefer barbecued ribs myself, but I believe a similar process would apply. I appreciate your theological writings as well. I always find them seasoned with wisdom and depth, yet written at a level that even a layman as myself can fully understand. Thank you.
Thank you, Dr.David Watson, for an encouraging write-up. Indeed, writing is a skill that grows with time as long as you have the right attitude.
Great comparison! Thanks, David! (Now I want brisket...)
I enjoyed the piece. I have an issue and a question for you though. First, pulled pork is superior barbecue. Yes, I understand that Texans think brisket is better, and I can forgive that misunderstanding of the exquisiteness of pulled pork that has been properly kissed by hickory smoke for sixteen hours. Brisket is good, just not as good. Second, I'd like to know what translation you used for Matthew 5:13 please?
Mark, I think it was the NRSV
I am interested in hearing your perspective on why you quoted it the way you did?
This piece made me 😃!