Thomas Manton
Dancing with Divines
December 2, 2021 (Thursday)
Fifth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Thomas Manton, who was a pastor that took part in the Westminster Assembly. Despite facing many great sufferings he always preached a message of joy and found comfort in the friendship of God.
Entry
Prayer
My Lord Jesus, as I seek to be Your servant may I never forget Your friendship which nothing can break. Thank You for this precious bond and all the joys within it, and may these joys bring me delight in God as I delight in You. The God, Who like a parent, claims me as His child. To Him, to You, and to the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Mary Dyer
Dancing with Divines
December 1, 2021 (Wednesday)
Fourth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Mary Dyer, who was a former Puritan that became a Quaker. After defying an order of banishment for publicly preaching and sharing her faith, she was executed by hanging in the city of Boston.
Entry
Prayer
O Light of the world, that shines within all darkness, help me to see the light of God shining in every person. Forgive me for the sin of loving those that I deem worthy, and failing to keep Your command of loving those who are against me. Bless my enemies as You bless the people I cherish, and help me to be a blessing like You Who walked upon earth with love. I ask all this in Your great name. Amen.
Solomon Stoddard
Dancing with Divines
November 30, 2021 (Wednesday)
Third Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Solomon Stoddard, who was the grandfather of the great theologian Jonathan Edwards. Unlike his fellow pastors in New England, Stoddard believed that a more liberal approach to Church would help younger generations to embrace the Puritan faith.
Entry
Prayer
Almighty God, Whose perfect love cast out all fear, may I, like Solomon Stoddard, not lose that greater vision. The vision of Who you are which goes beyond Your anger, and radiates with endless grace for all who seek it. And may my life reflect Your glory to others that they might come to see Your face and walk with You in holiness. To You be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Lemuel Haynes
Dancing with Divines
November 29, 2021 (Tuesday)
Second Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Lemuel Haynes, who was the first Black person to be ordained in the United States. He was also a soldier in the American War of Independence, and preached against slavery while pastoring all White congregations.
Entry
Prayer
O Merciful Father, Who cares for the well-being of all, thank You for sending Your Son to set me free from sin and death. Help me to never forget the things that it took to have this treasure, and help me to use it rightly like Lemuel Haynes did for the sake of others. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Anne Bradstreet
Dancing with Divines
November 28, 2021 (Monday)
First Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Anne Bradstreet, who was the most prominent poet of early New England. She was also the first author to be published in North America, and was known for her great intellect and knowledge of many subjects.
Entry
Prayer
My Lord Jesus, the Righteous Branch, I thank You for this new Advent Season and the comforts You have given to me through the witness of Anne Bradstreet. I empty out my heart weighed down from the troubles I have carried, and I ask that You would fill it with Your goodness and love that never end. In Your gracious name I pray. Amen.
Advent 2021. Dancing with Divines: A Devotional Calendar
Dancing With Divines
A devotional Advent calendar.
This year I will not be leading any service in December, and I am blessed to enjoy the holidays without the stress that they bring to pastors. I am also blessed to release a project that I have worked on for quite some time, and that is a daily devotional calendar for the season of Advent. It is called Dancing with Divines, and to access it, click on the button below.
About Roland Whitcomb
Roland P. Whitcomb
The man who inspired Dancing with Divines
Roland Paul Whitcomb came from the city of Gladstone, Oregon, and for 38 years he pastored the Morrison Baptist Church of North Minneapolis. In addition to being a pastor he trained Ordinands for the ministry, and one of them was the Rev. Dr. Scotty J. Williams. As a descendant of New England Puritans Rev. Whitcomb loved their writings, and he encouraged those he trained to read them and experience their wisdom. On September 25, 2021 he passed away at the age of 91; he had never retired and preached his final sermon the Sunday before his death.
In memory of Rev. Whitcomb and in honor of his ministry, Rev. Dr. Williams has written Dancing with Divines: A Puritan Advent Calendar. This devotional features sayings from the men and women who’s examples inspired Rev. Whitcomb in life and faith, and its author hopes that they will inspire others and help them find joy in the Advent season.
Here are some of Rev. Whitcomb’s sermons:
What is Dancing with Divines?
What is Dancing With Divines?
Information about this devotional.
Dancing with Divines is a calendar for Advent, but instead of little chocolates it features honored Puritans. The Puritans were Protestants from the 16th and 17th centuries, and they shunned the Advent season and despised the feast of Christmas. In their day these special times had lost their purpose and meaning, and degenerated into festivals of lewdness and debauchery. We have also seen these things degenerate within our day, and especially through commercialism with a focus on giving and receiving gifts.
Indeed, the celebrations have lost their purpose and meaning, but we need not shy away from them or throw them by the wayside. We can recapture the powerful messages they present to us, and one thing that can help with this is the insights of the Puritans. In this calendar are sayings from their spiritual leaders called “Divines”; men and women who thought deeply about God and what it means to live with faith. They also thought deeply about the birth of Jesus, and its implications for humanity, the world, and the universe.
Each entry in this calendar is a 7 to 8 minute video with a Bible passage, quote from a Divine, and a meditation by the Rev. Dr. Scotty J. Williams. The meditations are reflections on the passages and quotes, and they address different issues that are pressing and relevant to today’s world. This devotional also has short prayers which can prayed aloud and used as a spiritual practice to reflect on the meditations.
May the wisdom of the old Divines bring your heart to dance with new joys of the Advent season and the Savior who was born for us.
Promotional Video
American Evangelicalism Explained
American Evangelicalism Explained
In God we trust
What is American Evangelicalism and what has led to its current problems? For my take on this question, check out this video from a lecture I gave at the University of Zürich.
True Reconciliation (Mission 21)
True Reconciliation (Mission 21)
How To Deal With Racism In The Church
How should Churches deal with racism? How can Christians be reconciled across racial lines? For my answers to these questions, check out this video from a talk I gave at Mission 21’s Summer School.