Scripture: John 9:1–23 9 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4 We... Continue Reading →
Breaking Barriers: Jesus’ Message to the Outcast Woman
Scripture: John 4:5–42 5 So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired out by his journey, was sitting by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said... Continue Reading →
Understanding Nicodemus: Lessons from John 3:1-17
Scripture: John 3:1-17 3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”... Continue Reading →
Accountability in Political Faith: A Look at Talarico
Over the last year I have made a handful of comments about various individuals in the Trump administration (and in the past Mr. Trump) in relation to their statements related to Christianity. The most frequent comment I receive is do I also comment on Democrats when they make claims about Christianity. Recently, Rep. James Talarico... Continue Reading →
Worship Who?
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”... Continue Reading →
Undoing Manifest Destiny: A Review
I recently read L. Daniel Hawk's latest book Undoing Manifest Destiny and several people seemed interested in my evaluation of it, so here it is. At its core this is a book designed to help Christians put their faith into practice. Dan does this by providing a real world illustration of how theology has been... Continue Reading →
Who Have You Found?
Scripture: John 1:29–42 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know... Continue Reading →
The Baptism of the Blameless
Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way... Continue Reading →
Guided by Light, Blinded by Power
Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod... Continue Reading →
25 Books Every American Christian Should Read (Updated)
A few years ago, I was inspired by Renovaré’s list of 25 books every Christian should read to write my own. Reading that post this week I realized it is no longer true (if you’re curious it is here). As I have grown over the last few years I have realized two important truths. First,... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 