Preaching that does not call the hearers to repentance will not affect the heart of the hearers. Real change requires a change of heart.
Grace and sovereignty
To avoid stress and burnout in pursuit of our calling, we must rely on the sovereignty of God. We cannot do it all, but we must do what God calls us to do.
Rev. Emily C. Heath: Jesus, Bullies on the Bus and the Rest of Us
Rev. Heath published a piece in the Huffington Post which purports to give a Christian response to bullies. I have two points of challenge for Rev. Heath. One based on something she didn’t say and one based on something she did say.
A lesson learned from angry atheists
A recent post for bravefaith.org got a response from several angry atheists. I share the lesson I learned from this exchange in this post.
The Light that can be found – reflections on a lyric by 3 Doors Down
The comparison of light and darkness in a 3 Doors Down lyric caught my ear. Can the light be found? What does the Bible say?
On the need for the intercession of saints
An article in the Huffington Post regarding the elevation of Marianne Cope prompted an examination of the need to pray to saints. What are we saying about the character of God when we teach that it is necessary to ask the saints to intercede on our behalf?
No retreat baby and no surrender – Inspired by Bruce Springsteen
The Bruce Springsteen song “No Surrender” inspired some thoughts about what is worthy of such dogged pursuit by the believer. See what the Apostle Paul and C. S. Lewis have to say in relation to this.
Herod was conflicted about John the Baptist
Mark 6:20 is an interesting verse. The best manuscripts of this verse tell us that Herod was conflicted about what to do with John the Baptist. Herod’s wife, Herodias, wanted John dead, but Herod feared John and was at the same time intrigued and confused by John. (Note that the KJV and NKJV tell us […]
Hard Headed but Soft Hearted
In Matthew 10:16, Jesus enjoins his disciples to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. John describes Jesus as being “full of grace and truth” in John 1:14. Both of these verse show that we are to be precise and determined in our thinking but open and gracious in our behavior toward others. To […]
Gutenberg, Google and the Church
Gutenberg could not have imagined the speed of communication today. The church has the opportunity to use this speed to proclaim the Gospel.