As I begin writing, it’s day six of the national “15 Days to Slow the Spread” initiative (catchy, no?)—or at least, I think it is, but I’ll admit, the days are starting to blend together a bit. I’ll spare you the full list of activities our family has undertaken in these historic days, since our … Continue reading The Blessing of Pestilence
5 Ways to Pray Missionally
We restless North Americans struggle immensely to prevail in prayer. I struggle in prayer. I see impoverished, persecuted believers in other parts of the world praying with fervor, corporately and individually, and I marvel at my own ineptitude when it comes to conversation with God. Yet prayer is an inescapable concept. Desperation of any sort produces dependence … Continue reading 5 Ways to Pray Missionally
Have Yourself a Merry, Apocalyptic Christmas
If someone were to pinch me ten years ago and tell me that, by the end of 2019, Kanye West would be producing gospel music, the host of The Apprentice would be president, and Joe Biden would be the most conservative name in the Democratic primary pool, I might have asked said person if whatever … Continue reading Have Yourself a Merry, Apocalyptic Christmas
Against Concupiscence
Issues of same-sex attraction, the Christian identity, and sexual orientation have once more made it to the fore, and a growing contingent of believers are wondering if the whole thing is a matter of semantics. Terms like “gay” and “orientation” used in the context of professing Christians have drawn much ire from various discernment voices. … Continue reading Against Concupiscence
How Covenant Theology Clarifies Justice Issues
Whether we owe it to the spirit of the age or to the quirks of our own subculture, we evangelicals generally disdain labels. We prefer to be “Christ-followers,” not Christians; “gospel-centered,” not Baptist, Protestant, or Reformed. This isn’t always a bad thing. Labels carry baggage. And besides that, our primary commitment is to Scripture, not … Continue reading How Covenant Theology Clarifies Justice Issues
The Source of Biblical Boldness
Right now, conservative evangelicals are at an impasse on the issue of boldness. A few months ago, I observed that today there is greater stigma attached to speaking the truth in a tone that seems slightly unnerved or terse than speaking dangerous falsehoods sweetly, politely, and deferentially. A number of controversies over the last few … Continue reading The Source of Biblical Boldness
Hill Gods and Culture Wars du Jour
If you ever want to see what a room full of tired men looks like, go to the closest pastors’ conference. Of course, in any room full of pastors, you’re bound to find a mix, from fresh graduates to veterans, fauxhawks to receding hairlines—each gray head a crown for a lifetime of leadership and love. … Continue reading Hill Gods and Culture Wars du Jour
Christian Politicking and Innocence By Association
Ever since our exile from Eden, mankind has been in a mad dash after fig leaves like they’re going out of style. We trade divine approval for human head nods to relieve our inner shame. And in our evangelical empires, this often takes the form of avoiding “guilt by association” at all costs—lest the real … Continue reading Christian Politicking and Innocence By Association
Great Commission Christianity Is Cosmic-Redemptive Christianity
Charles Spurgeon famously commented, “Of two evils, choose neither.” Well, to borrow from the prince of preachers, I’d like to argue: Given a choice in a false dichotomy, choose both. Recently, an scholarly evangelical voice took to the web to denounce what he termed “Great Commission Christianity,” defined loosely as “a truncated view of the … Continue reading Great Commission Christianity Is Cosmic-Redemptive Christianity
Resentment and the Market Demand for ‘Reconciliation’
At a recent medical consult, a doctor strongly recommended I schedule a particular outpatient surgical procedure. Since I’d been having some discomfort, I quickly obliged and booked the appointment. Of course, as the date of the surgery drew near, I weighed the costs and realized my recovery would be far worse than my current discomfort. … Continue reading Resentment and the Market Demand for ‘Reconciliation’
