I've recently been listening to an incredibly interesting book, The Protest History of the United States. Author, civil rights attorney and professor Gloria Browne-Marshall, describes the world as a "blessedly beautiful yet humanly hostile" place to live. In other words, it's complicated. That corresponds to what I see in the news. There is tremendous goodness … Continue reading It’s Complicated
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Faith Complete by Works
Last week I preached from James 2:14-26, a passage that speaks of the importance of good works in the life of the believer. I stressed that, for James, it's NOT FAITH + WORKS = SALVATION. He didn't preach "add some works to your faith, then you'll be saved." What he does say is FAITH = … Continue reading Faith Complete by Works
God’s Heart Has Not Changed
God has revealed his heart to his people in the law, reiterating through the prophets. God's heart has not changed because God does not change. Jeremiah 7:1-8, "This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: 2 “Stand at the gate of the LORD’s house and there proclaim this message: “ ‘Hear the … Continue reading God’s Heart Has Not Changed
Romans 13 isn’t the only relevant text
This post is not my opinion on a video, constitutional law, civil rights, etc. This post is me, as a pastor, weighing in on theology. I have seen pastors recently cite Romans 13 as if it were the answer to all the questions we might have about how we interact with the state. Some seem … Continue reading Romans 13 isn’t the only relevant text
Cutting Room Floor: The Only Truly Hopeless Place
A few years ago I read, with a group for the church, Dante's Divine Comedy. It was one of the more difficult reads I've ever plowed through. The poem has three parts (each with multiple cantos): Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. In Canto 3 of Inferno, Dante passes through the Gates of Hell, which bear the … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: The Only Truly Hopeless Place
God Entranced 