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
The War Against Victimhood Starts in Our Own Hearts
Postmodernity has seen the replacement of truth and hierarchy with lived experience and group identity. And, as any ethical or religious system necessarily demands the recognition of justified and unjustified classes, the West has embraced victimhood as its standard of righteousness. One’s victim status is not only the top new currency; it’s also the robe … Continue reading The War Against Victimhood Starts in Our Own Hearts
4 Steps to Avoid Ministry Burnout: Lessons From Moses
Tracing Israel’s repeated rebellions in the wilderness is as dizzying as watching dirty bathwater circle the drain. In spite of its refrain stressing the patience of God, the book of Numbers exhausts the reader with its reports of these cyclical revolts of the exodus generation. Time and again, they clamor for food, drink, or a … Continue reading 4 Steps to Avoid Ministry Burnout: Lessons From Moses
Is Platform-Building a Sin? (With 11 Diagnostic Questions)
If humility is a Christian virtue, false humility is an evangelical vice. Such describes the state of the Christian blogosphere, which itself is marked both by its fair share of platform-building efforts and humble hot takes repudiating the practice itself. Scripture is clear in stating that a haughty spirit precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Exaltation in … Continue reading Is Platform-Building a Sin? (With 11 Diagnostic Questions)
The Right Kind of Reductionism
“Evangelical” is a dirty word these days. Not just because of the politicization of the term; that’s a given. Rather, it’s becoming taboo even within theologically conservative, Bible-believing Christian circles (heretofore known as evangelicalism). W. Robert Godfrey, in lecture 72 of his church history series, notes that “evangelical” is not strictly synonymous with conservative Protestantism … Continue reading The Right Kind of Reductionism
Transition, Trust, and Tablescapes
Life in ministry is teeming with transitions. Whether it’s moving your family to answer a pastoral calling, sending off a missionary from your church, bringing onboard a new pastor, or passing through parted waters of seminary on dry ground—a life lived in service of the kingdom is always in flux, never fixed in one easy, … Continue reading Transition, Trust, and Tablescapes
4 Ways Not to Help Foster and Adoptive Families in Your Church
With the mild resurgence that is taking place right now in the adoptive and foster care movement within evangelicalism, church leaders and members alike are beginning to recognize that something of orphan care runs in the blood of every believer—since God “predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure … Continue reading 4 Ways Not to Help Foster and Adoptive Families in Your Church
This Is Your Sign From God
Do you want a "sign from God"? We all do, at times. We hope for some mysterious guiding voice from Heaven, some weird convergences of coincidences, or some other phenomenon to give us a divine nudge in the right direction. Is that wrong? Only if we let it keep us from obeying what God has clearly … Continue reading This Is Your Sign From God
The Secret to Satisfying Rest
Saturday. A much-needed day off. Saturday means sleeping in, sipping coffee, picking up a book, and spending quality time with my wife. But somehow, Saturday can become one of the most unrestful, dissatisfying days of the week. Boredom emerges out of relaxation, breeding conflict and discontentment. Hours spent lazing in front of entertainment feel painfully … Continue reading The Secret to Satisfying Rest
How to Be Complete
Is there a way to actually be "complete"? The New Testament often uses a phrase that sounds a bit odd to us: "in Christ." It doesn't just talk about believing in Christ, trusting Christ, or following Christ, but actually being in him. If you've surrendered your life to Christ, your life is enveloped inside the … Continue reading How to Be Complete
