I have been using this picture recently and I thought I'd take this opportunity to explain it in a little more context. First, I feel I must point out that I am listening to medical professionals who are encouraging modifying our lives to prevent the spread of infectious disease. If limiting our contact with one... Continue Reading →
Perhaps you have seen this or something similar as you are scrolling through social media. The picture is using two verses (2 Chron. 7:13-14) to suggest that God has sent COVID-19 on us as a plague. The implication is that we cannot remove this plague except through some kind of repentance. I know that on... Continue Reading →
Today I find myself reading about the literary structure of the Biblical Book of Judges (I know, nerd; bare with me). The author I was reading made the point that the Book of Judges is structured to show exactly how God's people had become as bad or worse than the people around them. Anyone who... Continue Reading →
Recently, I wrote a response to Mark Galli recent Christianity Today op-ed. I feel the criticism I have received for that post (and opinion) is undue and so I am going to also write a response to Peter Leithart's recent commentary in First Things "The Case for Keeping Trump". To do this I am also... Continue Reading →
I am intentionally publishing this before Christmas because I do not want politics to mess with my holiday. Recently Christianity Today published an op-ed titled "Trump Should Be Removed from Office", which has caused a great deal of discussion and controversy. I read and loved the article but I have received what I think is... Continue Reading →
There might be some data somewhere to scientifically verify this but I am not aware of it. but talking with pastors I know I think there is circumstantial evidence enough to say worship services the Sunday after Christmas is consistently poorly attended. I struggle with this, how is it possible that people can spend a... Continue Reading →
I love "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and I love the scene where Charlie Brown finally breaks down and asks if anyone knows what Christmas is all about. You know the scene, Linus replies, "I do Charlie Brown" and then recites Luke 2:8-14. It is a poignant part of the drama, where all the decorations and... Continue Reading →
This week I have been thinking about Zechariah's song (Benedictus) in Luke 1:68-79. Today I noticed just how much political language is in the first four verses of this song. 68 “Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in... Continue Reading →
I know it's not new but recently I've seen several people making the comment, "you don't have to explain yourself to anyone" usually with the attached phrase "if they can't accept you then they can leave". I have found this statement very unsettling, I think because it is usually attached to major life decisions. I... Continue Reading →
I find it disturbing how many Christians (particularly those under 40) talk about Karma and desiring karma to visit others. Our pop-culture references to karma bear very little resemblance to the actual Hindu belief (at least as I have heard it taught). Our culture thinks of karma as a recompense for slights, "you wronged me... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 