“Everyone we meet is on a spiritual journey.” I recently came across this statement printed on a brochure for an evangelistic Bible study. When I see language like this used in church and ministry contexts, my response is twofold. On one hand, it is true that we must start with the unbeliever on his own … Continue reading What Should We Do With ‘Persons of Peace’?
Is Galatians 2 About Race?
One of the hardest lessons of adulthood for a young, theologically-minded Christian is recognizing that it is possible both to be right about an issue in the wrong way or to be wrong about an issue in a right-seeming fashion. We can be like Saul of Tarsus, catechized thoroughly in the seminary of Gamaliel, yet … Continue reading Is Galatians 2 About Race?
Encounter the Living Christ Afresh
When was the last time you simply meditated on the person of Christ? We are by nature prone to imbalance, majoring in the minors. We are prone to forget how earthshaking the essential truths of our confession are. To this ailment, Moody Publishers’ Jesus: The Life and Ministry of God the Son is the antidote. … Continue reading Encounter the Living Christ Afresh
Faith is More Than a Feeling
Recently, an attendee of our church and former volunteer asked me this question: "What does it mean to trust God—not only initial saving faith, but a daily, abiding trust in God?"I won't pretend to have a perfect answer. But if there's anything a follower of Christ should know with certainty, it's that they are trusting … Continue reading Faith is More Than a Feeling
Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
Earlier this week, I encountered an acquaintance of mine at the gym. It wasn't long until this man, a Jehovah's Witness, and I found ourselves entangled in a conversation about who Jesus is, how to be assured of your salvation, and the origin of the doctrine of the Trinity. As I tried to take him … Continue reading Letter to a Jehovah’s Witness
7 Thoughtful Questions from a Humanist
The world is asking Christians some big questions. At least, that’s what I’ve found lately. Whereas most evangelicals have been trained to one degree or another to answer questions like “How can I have eternal life?” or “Who is Jesus?” I’ve found that much of the unbelieving world has a far more bulky set … Continue reading 7 Thoughtful Questions from a Humanist
How to Know if You’re Good Enough
Our culture can smell a Pharisee from miles away. No one likes hypocrites—especially the religious type. But that’s just one flavor of hypocrisy. What’s at the root of hypocrisy? It's trying to behave righteously without being righteous. The dirty secret of the Bible is that righteousness is a gift from God, not an achievement of ours. In … Continue reading How to Know if You’re Good Enough
Thanksgiving for the Non-Religious
How should a non-Christian society celebrate Thanksgiving? In our culture, we make Thanksgiving about enjoying life’s blessings more than really thanking God for them. To continue to call the day “thanksgiving” in a secular culture doesn’t make a lot of sense. So why did one famous Christian talk about thanksgiving every time he was talking … Continue reading Thanksgiving for the Non-Religious
3 Tips for When the Bible Hurts Your Brain
I am an analytical person, often to a fault. I've been known to bite my nails down to the quick when wrestling with Bible questions. Anyone who seriously cares about the Word knows that there are tensions and paradoxes in Scripture. Even the most good-willed Christian communities have split over issues that sometimes just constitute … Continue reading 3 Tips for When the Bible Hurts Your Brain
10 Corrections to the Huffington Post on Hell
It's easy to mudsling on the Internet. It's even easier when the topic is something as controversial as Hell. So as I pen this article, my hope is that my words would not seem frivolous. I have no desire to attract attention. Rather, I believe that when mistruths are promoted publicly, they must be dealt … Continue reading 10 Corrections to the Huffington Post on Hell
