Apr 12, 2020 | Theology
These trying times are a reminder that the most important question of human existence came from a Jewish Rabbi 2,000 years ago: “But who do you say I am?” Jesus of Nazareth, objectively the most influential human being who ever lived, is himself life’s ultimate question mark. In the context of the time it was an explosive question, both for Jews and Romans, but for very different reasons. Jews had been waiting for their Messiah for 400(!) years. They had been enslaved by one nation after the other, and fully expected the God who had rescued their forefathers from slavery in Egypt, would send another savior to rescue them again. Romans, on the other hand, were not about to let some mythical Messiah figure of these strange and rebellious people threaten the hard won Pax Romana, earned through so much blood and warfare. There had been false alarms before, dynamic figures who claimed Messianic credentials, but nothing, at all, like Jesus of Nazareth. He was nothing like anyone expected, friend and foe alike. Let’s look at the context of the question from Matthew 16: (more…)
Mar 25, 2020 | Theology
I’m working on a post about how Christianity completely transformed the world. In my other writing obsession, I’ve been writing my way through the Bible since April 2014, one of the best things I’ve ever done. God’s word is a bottomless well of profundity that gets more profound to me every day. Having come to this part of the well on love, I realized it is the reason that wherever Christianity goes it transforms (however imperfectly in a fallen world). Nothing of merely human origins can do what it has done and can do, and that’s only one of the many reasons Christianity is the Truth. Some thoughts on love: (more…)
Dec 13, 2019 | Theology
Eight years ago or so I got on my knees, feeling like the miserable Christian I thought I was, and committed to God that I would read the Bible and pray every day. Whatever I could or couldn’t do, I knew I could at least do that. I had been a Christian for 30 plus years, and a seminary graduate, so I knew what I believed and why I believed it, but the reality of those beliefs wasn’t impacting my life in the profound way it should if this whole thing is actually true. Our Sovereign, Creator, Savior God is of course working in us through every up and down of our lives, and this was definitely a down period. In January of 2012 my wife and I were becoming members of the church we were attending, and we were asked to write a testimony. I quote from the last two paragraphs to better make the point of this post: (more…)
Jul 24, 2019 | Theology
Those of you who are parents know those moments Madison Avenue has coined as “priceless.” I had one the other night that thrilled my soul when my son said something to the effect, “I’m so glad that God is my salvation.” The subtitled of my book gets at why this was so thrilling for me: “God’s Provision for Building an Enduring Faith in Your Children.” It’s very easy for Christians, saved fallen sinners that we are, to think our salvation is up to us: if we just do the right things, make the right decisions, live the right way, then God will be a little more pleased with us than he otherwise would be. The focus tends inward, subjective, on us, something I’ve taught our kids all their lives is not the Christianity we embrace.
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Jul 16, 2019 | Culture, Theology
God saves sinners. That thought keep ringing in my brain as we recently watched a new documentary about the Brian Welch, the lead guitarist of a heavy metal band called Korn. Loud Krazy Love, is not for the faint of heart (or children), or those sensitive to F-bombs. It portrays the world of heavy metal, after all, so it’s expected. Here’s a description from one review:
Billboard described “Loud Krazy Love” as “part rock doc, part faith testimonial, part family drama.” It’s a fearless coming-of-age story that grapples with faith, teen depression, the quest for identity and the hope of a father willing to do anything for the one he loves. The film explores the relationship between the Welches and how Jennea saved Brian’s life, as he walked away from a $23 million record deal and overcame a crippling addiction to drugs to focus on becoming a good father.
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Jul 13, 2019 | Parents and Family, Theology
At my other blog I’m writing my way through the Bible, one of the best things I’ve ever done, and something I highly recomend for anyone who loves Scripture and likes to write. The last couple mornings I’ve been focused on this passage in Acts, and I make the case that all Jewish Christians, which would have been all the first Christians, would have baptized their children. I think I make a pretty good case. If you’re open or curious, here it is:
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