In my quest to read more for depth, I have been slowing working my way through Dallas Willard’s book, Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. In this work, Willard describes the six basic aspects that make up what we call “human nature.” They are Thought, Feeling, Will, Body, Social Context, andContinue reading “Dallas Willard on Special Dangers in Our Thought Life with God”
Category Archives: Christianity
Who Do You Want To Be?
One of my favorite bands growing up was Switchfoot. Whether you have heard of them or not, I encourage you to check them out. One of their hit songs was “This is Your Life.” (If you want, you can find it here.) Through the song, the lyrics repeat the probing question, “Are you who youContinue reading “Who Do You Want To Be?”
No More Celebrity Pastors
In the book, The Insanity of God, Nik Ripken tells the stories of his travels among churches all over the world who face persecution because of their allegiance to King Jesus. In China, Nik met with a gathering of pastors in secret and heard their stories of prison. In the telling, Nik shares an amazingContinue reading “No More Celebrity Pastors”
Talking Back: A Guide for Fighting Demons
In his powerful book, Live No Lies, John Mark Comer introduces us to the work of Evagrius of Pontus. Evagrius was a 4th century monk and author of a number of texts on spiritual formation, especially the formation of the mind. One such work is titled, Antirrhetikos, or Talking Back. In Talking Back, Evagrius laysContinue reading “Talking Back: A Guide for Fighting Demons”
Biblical Manhood
A common argument in the Twittersphere is over the notion of manhood. What is a man? What is the difference between healthy and toxic masculinity? How does the Bible’s view of men differ from the world’s view? Blah, blah, blah . . . To be honest, this conversation was part of why I took anContinue reading “Biblical Manhood”
God, Guns, and Sacrifice
With the recent tragedies and mass shootings in the news, guns and gun control are hot topics again, at least until the national consciousness moves on to the next outrage. I confess I am tempted to give me two cents about what should be done to curb our national obsession with violence. Yet do weContinue reading “God, Guns, and Sacrifice”
When Ideas Go Viral
Personal Note: Sorry for stepping away from regular posting. I was working to complete my book on discipleship and disciple-making. It is a guide for disciple partners or small groups to walk through together. If you are interested in knowing more, feel free to reach out through the contact page. After sitting in my “ToContinue reading “When Ideas Go Viral”
A Most Practical Idea
As a theologian, I am well aware that there are some debates and some questions that simply have no practical purpose. “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” “Can God create a rock so heavy that even He cannot move it?” Questions like these can rattle around in your noggin, butContinue reading “A Most Practical Idea”
Idols in the Church Part 1: Anger
Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:12-13 English Standard Version The Bible makes clear that we have an idolatry problem. FundamentalContinue reading “Idols in the Church Part 1: Anger”
The Cross as Coronation
The following is adapted from a sermon I preached at Greencastle Christian Church on September 25, 2021. Let me begin by saying something that might be a little controversial. The gospel is political. Let me say that again, the gospel is political. I am not saying that Jesus is a Republican or a Democrat orContinue reading “The Cross as Coronation”
The Awkward Christian Blog 