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.
church
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
End of an Evangelical Era
When I read of the closing of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School's (TEDS) main campus, I was saddened. While technically, it's moving and merging with a school in Canada, the main campus in the suburbs of Chicago is shuttering its doors and will be transformed into a sports complex. My three years on the Deerfield, IL, … Continue reading End of an Evangelical Era
God Entranced 