What is a uniquely Christian approach to bringing change our culture? It’s a big question. Christians have many opinions about how to answer it. Often very different opinions. Before we can attempt an answer to the question, I think we need to examine the question. The question, “What is Christian approach to changing culture?” assumesContinue reading “Does our culture need to change? – Creating Culture, Part 1”
Tag Archives: theology
We do not shape the viewpoints of the news outlets we watch. They shape us. – A Uniquely Christian Approach to Culture Change, Preview
How do you normally get your news? Major network TV stations? Cable news networks? The newspaper? Social media? YouTube? Email updates? Thinking about your preferred news outlet, is it biased? Of course not, right? In a world of fake news, every news outlet now says that they are the one and only who is tellingContinue reading “We do not shape the viewpoints of the news outlets we watch. They shape us. – A Uniquely Christian Approach to Culture Change, Preview”
We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5
Now the moment has come. We’ve been studying John 11 this week, and we’ve observed Jesus talking with his disciples and his friends, Mary and Martha, about their brother Lazarus’ sickness and death. Jesus made the trip to Judea to the town of Bethany to visit that sisters, as Lazarus lay in a grave forContinue reading “We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5”
What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4
Martha’s brother, Lazarus, still dead. Martha believes Jesus can do something about it because he is the promised Messiah, the bringer of life. But instead of pleading with Jesus, Martha now goes to find her sister, Mary. In John 11, verses 28-37, we read about the result of the sisters’ conversation. “And after she hadContinue reading “What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4”
The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2
Jesus has received an urgent message from some of his closest friends, Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus, also one of Jesus’ best friends, is sick. Very sick. Deathly sick. What does Jesus do in response? He waits…two more days. He doesn’t immediately gather up his disciples and head out on the road. He waits. Continue reading “The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2”
The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1
This past week I was jet-lagging, having come home from a month teaching in India. Jet-lag feels so weird. You’re hungry and sleepy at all the wrong times. On my first day back, my family and I ate dinner at a normal time of about 6pm, and while it tasted great, my stomach felt likeContinue reading “The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1”
India Trip / Blog hiatus
To all readers of the blog, I am in Northeast India for the month of March teaching at my denomination’s seminary. So the blog is on hiatus. Here are a few photos of the trip so far. First, Mt. Everest, as seen from from our plane. A church conference we attended and preached at: IContinue reading “India Trip / Blog hiatus”
How Jesus sets us free to live a flourishing life – John 7:53-8:11, Part 4
In the temple courts, Jesus is standing alone with a woman who had been caught in adultery. With her accusers now gone, Jesus responds to the woman, in John chapter 8, verses 10-11: “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neitherContinue reading “How Jesus sets us free to live a flourishing life – John 7:53-8:11, Part 4”
Decoding Jesus’ disgusting “eat my flesh, drink my blood” teaching – John 6:52-71, Part 4
Jesus has just told a crowd of his followers that they need to eat his flesh and drink his blood. How did the crowd feel about this bizarre teaching? I think they felt disappointment, confusion, frustration, and maybe some disillusionment. Just the day before he had miraculously fed a crowd of 5000+ people, and theyContinue reading “Decoding Jesus’ disgusting “eat my flesh, drink my blood” teaching – John 6:52-71, Part 4″
Jesus and Zombies and Vampires – John 6:52-71, Preview
Over the years I’ve read numerous zombie and vampire books, or watched TV shows and movies about them. There’s The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries, the Twilight series, and loads more. Some are good. Some not so good. All are gruesome and bloody. The most bizarre had to be Pride & Prejudice…and Zombies. It isContinue reading “Jesus and Zombies and Vampires – John 6:52-71, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 