It’s something almost every evangelical who takes their faith seriously wrestles with. When we're in a social setting, particularly one in which we're surrounded by nonbelievers, what is an allowable amount of flexibility for humor to form healthy relationships, and what crosses the line of fidelity to Christ before all others? At what point should... Continue Reading →
Finding Christ and Assurance at The Lord’s Table
What do you think about when it’s time to take communion? Do you have an internal conflict about whether you should go for the wine and not the juice this time? Or, maybe a silent hope that the cracker will be larger than last time? It is getting close to lunch. Life can be distracting... Continue Reading →
God is Murdered
Writing in the mid-1600s, the French scientist and philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote that, “There is no denying it; one must admit that there is something astonishing about Christianity. ‘It is because you were born in it,’ they will say. Far from it; I stiffen myself against it for that very reason, for fear of being... Continue Reading →
Seven Questions That Trump “That’s Just Your Interpretation”
A couple of months ago, I put the commonly used defeater phrase, “That’s just your interpretation,” on trial, and found the integrity behind its typical usage woefully lacking. Essentially, those who resort to using it, although mostly likely unaware of such a reality, are acting against the love of both neighbor and God. That previous... Continue Reading →
On Christian Scholarship: Do Not Assume the Sheep Will Follow
As a church layman, I’ve spent the last couple of years intellectually engaging with my faith through Christian scholarship, some of which I’ve found fantastic, and some of which I can barely label Christian. You Kind of Have to be a Christian To be a Christian scholar, should imply that one indeed follows Jesus Christ.... Continue Reading →
“That’s Just Your Interpretation” On Trial
If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, I’m sure you’ve heard it. You assert that you believe that the Bible teaches a certain doctrine—typically while taking a stance for the historically orthodox position—and the person you are speaking with gives you a scornful look and says, “Well, that’s just your interpretation.” The... Continue Reading →