How Jesus’ resurrection brings new life to female voices – John 20, Part 3

In John 20, right after his resurrection, Mary Magdalene is at the garden tomb, weeping. The past few days have been horrible, with Jesus’ arrest, beating, and crucifixion. Now his body is missing. As we learned in the previous post, Jesus is alive and meets Mary there in the garden, simply saying her name, “Mary.”Continue reading “How Jesus’ resurrection brings new life to female voices – John 20, Part 3”

Christianity is supposed to be cross-shaped – John 19, Part 5

The cross is the shape of Christianity.  I’m not talking about a symbol that we wear on necklaces or tattoos.  I’m about how the cross should shape our lives, our choices, our actions.  Jesus calls his disciples to die to themselves, take up their cross and follow him.  We follow him, we do what heContinue reading “Christianity is supposed to be cross-shaped – John 19, Part 5”

Penal Substitution is inadequate to understanding Jesus’ death – John 19, Part 4

Why did Jesus have to die?  Isn’t this a strange way for God to save the world?  Isn’t this a strange way for God to make a way to have relationship with us?  Why did he do this?  Why become one of us, live 33 years to show us abundant flourishing way of life, andContinue reading “Penal Substitution is inadequate to understanding Jesus’ death – John 19, Part 4”

“Born to die” is an inadequate way to describe Jesus – John 19, Part 3

For Jesus the end has come.  His death is now minutes away. Is this what he was born to do? Look at the description of his final minutes in John 19, verses 28-30, “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jarContinue reading ““Born to die” is an inadequate way to describe Jesus – John 19, Part 3″

How to wade through chaos into victory – John 18, Part 5

This week I welcome guest blogger, Emerald Scaffe. Emerald is married and together with her husband, has three children. She also serves on the teaching team at Faith Church. The Jewish leaders finally have Jesus where they want him.  In front of Pilate.  So they change their tactic a little bit for the Roman Governor. Continue reading “How to wade through chaos into victory – John 18, Part 5”

Why we need to be spiritually fit (and how to get there) – John 18, Part 1

This week I welcome guest blogger, Emerald Scaffe. Emerald is married and together with her husband, has three children. She also serves on the teaching team at Faith Church. In John chapter 17, Jesus is praying with his disciples after the Passover Feast.  I want to highlight some components of Christ’s prayer, before diving intoContinue reading “Why we need to be spiritually fit (and how to get there) – John 18, Part 1”

What Jesus says to help those of us who fear – John 17:6-26, Part 5

Has fear influenced your thinking, your emotions, your decisions? If you answer “Yes,” or “Maybe,” I wouldn’t be surprised. Though we might not want to admit it, there are plenty of reasons to fear. I’m not going to list them. Instead, I want to point us to Jesus who concludes his prayer with some powerfulContinue reading “What Jesus says to help those of us who fear – John 17:6-26, Part 5”

Are you doubting? Hear Jesus’ prayer – John 17:6-26, Part 1

When I was an undergrad student in Bible college, the college held chapel services every day. One chapel speaker was a guest who gave a sermon, and then started praying. And he didn’t stop praying. The prayer started to become uncomfortably long. Many of us started checking our watches. The speaker’s prayer was eating intoContinue reading “Are you doubting? Hear Jesus’ prayer – John 17:6-26, Part 1”

Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5

There are many tools we create that are not inherently beautiful or evil.  A hammer is not really a work of art (could be though), but it can be used for good or bad.  Hammers build and hammers destroy.  Same with computers and computer programming.  The internet is unbelievably useful for communication, education, coordination, butContinue reading “Why fear is the wrong response to AI – A Theology of AI, Part 5”

Copyright: the super-weapon against AI? – A Theology of AI, Part 2

What might bring Artificial Intelligence down is not a group of rebel humans armed with powerful weapons in their fight against robots, but what might actually bring AI down, or at least reign it in, is copyright law.  Yeah.  Copyright.  Here’s how.  One form of Artificial intelligence is a computer program that scours the internetContinue reading “Copyright: the super-weapon against AI? – A Theology of AI, Part 2”