“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” - Matthew 5:7 This is the second part of my somewhat loose work-through of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. If you haven’t already, you may want to check out part 1 where I give a basic overview of the Beatitudes: here. What … Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful
Church
Pull Out!
The apostle John uses a rather explicit, uncomfortable metaphor late in the book of Revelation. Addressing believers who have aligned themselves with Empire, he writes: “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:“Fallen! Fallen is … Continue reading Pull Out!
Post-Election Thoughts
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8 An interesting thing often happens after elections in this country. Followers of Jesus all over the political spectrum use language to … Continue reading Post-Election Thoughts
A Theology of Service: Culture Influences Comprehension
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27 This is the third entry in a series of blogs I’m writing on the topic of service and hospitality. If you haven’t read the other two, I’d recommend doing so before you read this one. … Continue reading A Theology of Service: Culture Influences Comprehension
Did the New Testament Church Fail?
The Apostle Paul and the Jewish-Christian Schism "“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of … Continue reading Did the New Testament Church Fail?
Speaking Prophetically to our Culture
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." - Isaiah 1:17 It is very tempting as a Christian, in a climate so overtaken by political talk, to feel it nessecary to “speak truth to power.” In fact, if polled, many might … Continue reading Speaking Prophetically to our Culture
Studying the Bible (at Church)
What is the goal of studying the Bible? Or maybe, what is the goal of studying the Bible at Church? I can think of two answers: 1) We study the Bible as a form of corporate worship. And 2) we study the Bible to gain from it godly wisdom so that we might navigate our … Continue reading Studying the Bible (at Church)
Scripture Simplified 