I like to think of myself as an “ecumenical Christian.” That is, I am a Christian who is very aware that the body of Christ extends far beyond the boundaries of my local church, my immediate tradition or denomination, and even my own time period. Jesus has been building His Church for the last 2,000... Continue Reading →
The Art of Argument: Read Your Enemies Charitably
“Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44 It’s not advice. It's not easy. It’s not a cheap coffee mug feel good verse. It’s a command from the Son of God. It is a radical love which is most fully expressed in the height of divine revelation: the Son of God incarnate and suffering on the Cross to... Continue Reading →
The Masks We Wear: Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Human Condition
Recently, I posted a blog with one of my favorite quotes about literature which states, “Literature [is] the laboratory of the human condition.”1 How often I’m reminded of just how true that is! Last night, I was reading some selected poems by three late American poets who each reflected various "experiments" into what it means... Continue Reading →
Give Till It Hurts
The Christian life is full of various tensions. The kingdom of God has been inaugurated, but it is still to come in full. Believers are free from the law, yet we are slaves to Christ. We are to rejoice in the goodness of this world, while also being so careful not to love the creation... Continue Reading →
Faithfully Navigating History, Science, and the Bible
As disciples seeking to study God’s Word and His world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the vast amount of information and resources that are out there related to the topic. Yet, there are some basic considerations that can guide us and help us to be both realistic and faithful in our journey. In this post,... Continue Reading →
Short Devotional: Pursuing a Gentle Spirit
Our societal age is known for many of its attributes. Anxiety. Divisiveness. Cynicism. Sarcasm. Skepticism. Disdain. Surely some admirable things could be said, but these are perhaps some of the most dominant attitudes within our cultural air. Yet for the Christian life, this must not be so. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be known... Continue Reading →