Last Sunday, I had the chance to preach from the story of Gideon (Judges 6-8). I focused not so much on Gideon, but on God as the main actor in the story. God overflows in grace towards a persistently rebellious Israel. God raises up a deliverer. God rescues his people, and does so in such … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: Christ will build his church
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Cutting Room Floor: That’s just the way things are done.
On Sunday, I preached on James 3:13-18, contrasting true, godly wisdom with wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. I had a section that came from my personal devotional reading that I cut for time. False wisdom, or worldly wisdom, often has a veneer of genuineness to it because it gets results. But it doesn't … Continue reading Cutting Room Floor: That’s just the way things are done.
Just War in Christian Theology
As an undergraduate, I studied Political Science at Houghton College with aspirations to become a lawyer in the Marine Corps. Midway through my time in college, I shifted my career path towards ministry but kept the major, adding a minor in Bible and Theology. My senior thesis combined my minor and major, political science and … Continue reading Just War in Christian Theology
Nuance is Needed: Foreigners in Israel, America, and the Church
Nuance is an endangered species. Few people offer it, few people seem willing to tolerate it. But a lack of nuance leads to a confusing cognitive dissonance. On the far right of the Christian political spectrum are those who contend America was and should be again a Christian nation. This group wants to reintroduce biblical … Continue reading Nuance is Needed: Foreigners in Israel, America, and the Church
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 Entranced 