

Selling Jesus
sellingjesus.org
We want to highlight and exalt the radical generosity of God’s heart, confront the commercialization of Christianity, promote the biblical teaching that ministry should be supported but never sold, explore the history of how we've gotten to this point where it's a respectable sin to monetize ministry, and take a deep dive in the Scripture’s teaching on the subject. Our evangelical cultural moment has a serious blind spot in this area, and we hope to be a voice of reform. And our priority is to take seriously what Jesus commanded in Matthew 10:8: “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 10, 2025 • 26min
The Sunnyvale Statement Discussion
This session was the reading, discussion, and signing of the Sunnyvale Statement on the Stewardship of Scripture at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA. SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture SECTIONS00:00 Reading of the Sunnyvale Statement5:25 Signing of the Sunnyvale Statement6:18 Discussion20:01 One more thing...sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 1min
Q&A On The Stewardship of Scripture - Doreancon 2025
The second question & answer session at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA. Presenters from left to right: Conley Owens, Michael Coughlin, and Andrew CaseSIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture Q&A SECTIONS00:00 Introduction00:03 What is the best argument against the Dorean Principle?3:43 Are software engineers more inclined to accept the Dorean Principle?9:25 Does the Dorean Principle help strengthen the church against cultural waves?14:53 What if someone sells your public domain work?17:02 Does violating the Dorean Principle mean you are outside of orthodoxy?20:07 Are there parallels of international bible societies to Andrews message (Talk 3)?27:06 How can people collaborate for various efforts to further the dorean principle?32:51 How can we further the dorean principle locally or in the context of the church?39:49 What are problems within the church with relation to the dorean principle?42:41 What would the world look different if the christians accepted the dorean principle?49:00 How would you advise a christian ministry board member go about promoting the dorean principle?52:46 Debate clarification on 2 Corinthians 2:1754:45 Aren't you just communists?55:50 Can if organizations buy out publishers and release the material into the public domain?59:50 Will AD Robles follow the Dorean Principle for his book?sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Nov 8, 2025 • 59min
Post Debate Analysis on "Is Selling Licenses to Bible Translations a Sin?"
This was the post-debate analysis and first Q&A session at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA. The discussion included Conley Owens, Michael Coughlin, and Andrew Case.SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture Q&A SECTIONS00:00 Post Debate Discussion7:56 What are some of the earliest examples in history that mentions scripture and licenses?14:12 When does something (e.g.) not become inspired and salable?19:09 What are some bible verses related to 2 Corinthians 2:17 regarding peddling the word of God23:30 Should we be giving secular knowledge freely?24:30 What would cross the line while running a business as a Christian with ministerial aspects30:04 Does the dorean principle go beyond Christian ministry with regards to copyright and intellectual property?34:33 - Are things like Holman's connecting scripture be considered copyrightable?40:18 - How can translation work with the dorean principle in mind? 48:15 How can you persuade people about the dorean principle? 55:56 - Comment on giving generouslysellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

15 snips
Oct 30, 2025 • 45min
The Sin of Balaam
Conley Owens, a pastor and conference speaker known for his insights on biblical stewardship, dives deep into the story of Balaam. He explores why Balaam serves as a prototype for false teachers, emphasizing the importance of discerning motives over mere doctrine. Conley highlights Balaam's greed and its dangerous implications for Israel, linking ancient lessons to modern practices in ministry. He warns against the commercialization of faith and its potential to corrupt, urging accountability and repentance in leadership.

Oct 29, 2025 • 34min
Does Copyright Actually Protect the Text of Scripture from Corruption?
This message by Andrew Case was presented at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA.Read the article version of this message.SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Oct 28, 2025 • 39min
Adaptation & Inspiration
This message by Conley Owens was presented at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA.Read the article version of this message.SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Oct 27, 2025 • 58min
The Rise of the Bible Societies & the First Copyrighted Bible in America
In this engaging discussion, Reformed Baptist pastor Andrew Case explores the intriguing history of Bible societies. He recounts Mary's inspiring journey for a Bible, which sparked the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Case delves into the complexities of Bible pricing, the transition from free distribution to mixed sales models, and the groundbreaking creation of the first copyrighted Bible in America. His insights challenge modern views on scripture stewardship and highlight the need for a return to free access to God's word.

Oct 25, 2025 • 35min
Who Owns the Manuscripts & Critical Texts? - Talk 2 from the Conference on The Stewardship of Scripture
This message by Conley Owens was presented at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA.Read the article: https://sellingjesus.org/articles/manuscriptsSIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Oct 24, 2025 • 47min
The Pricelessness of the Word - Talk 1 from the Conference on The Stewardship of Scripture 2025
This message by Michael Coughlin was presented at #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA.Psalm 119:72: "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver."SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church

Oct 23, 2025 • 1h 58min
Debate: Is Selling Licenses to Bible Translations a Sin?
Conley Owens takes the affirmative position, and Jonathan Melin takes the negative in this debate hosted by #doreancon 2025 on "The Stewardship of Scripture" at Silicon Valley Reformed Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, CA."For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:17).The best way to translate καπηλεύοντες in the phrase “peddlers of God’s Word” is with a word that carries the primary meaning of commercial action and intent, such as “retailers,” or “merchants,” or simply “sellers.” Paul is contrasting his own free ministry with the commercialized ministry of false teachers, and using this distinction to show God’s seal of authenticity on him as a true servant of Christ. For more on this, see "2 Corinthians 2:17: Commercializing the Word of God". RELEVANT ARTICLESDoes Jesus’ Command to “Freely Give” Apply Today? Bible Publishers: Stewards or Gatekeepers The Bondage of the Word: Copyright and the Bible SIGN THE STATEMENT on the stewardship of Scripture sellingjesus.org | thedoreanprinciple.org | copy.church


