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Looking Like the World
Read more: Looking Like the WorldI can recall growing up being told that I should avoid ‘looking like the World.’ The idea was more assumed than ever really explained. Consistently though I was told I was out of line in regards to music. At the Christian school I attended in Jr. High and High School we were told that electrical…
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I’m Happy for You (Really!)
Read more: I’m Happy for You (Really!)One night a few years ago, I was reading through Romans and stumbled upon an extraordinary command from Paul’s pen: Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). I’d read it before, even quoted it, but something stood out this time. Struck by its simplicity and its strangeness, I considered this verse a challenge—a serious, sin-killing…
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Is the aNTi Wright Polemic Justified?
Read more: Is the aNTi Wright Polemic Justified?We all know Wright has received a bad wrap from many conservative Christians over the years. I can remember being introduced to Wright’s view on Justification in a context in which I was told how detrimental his ideas were. Furthermore, one of the most influential figures for my theological thinking, John Piper, wrote an extensive…
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The Kenosis of Thor & The Kenosis of Christ
Read more: The Kenosis of Thor & The Kenosis of ChristWhen it comes to super-heroes I am a Batman guy all the way. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Oscar-worthy Christopher Nolan is the mastermind behind the resurgence of Batman’s popularity and Joel Schumacher’s grubby paws are nowhere near the franchise (although he did apologize). Yet, even before Nolan I preferred Batman to others, especially…
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A Regal Interpretation of Colossians
Read more: A Regal Interpretation of ColossiansIn continuation of Matt’s brief theology of Colossians, which focused on the nature of the Church’s new existence in Christ, this entry will focus on a major Christological theme of the letter. The main Christological message is summed up in the famous “Christ Hymn” of Col 1.15-20. Many interpreters of Colossians regard the hymnic material…
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A Short Theology of Colossians
Read more: A Short Theology of ColossiansThe message of the gospel points us to a new possibility for life—nay, a new actuality of life. The divine fullness has entered into time, and history is bursting at the seams. As the world hurtled onward towards the abyss, God came bodily in Jesus Christ and embraced death and reprobation—“making peace by the blood…
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Alcohol in the Bible: Part Two (The New Testament)
Read more: Alcohol in the Bible: Part Two (The New Testament)Last week I posted an entry on alcohol in the OT and you are personally invited to read my former post before reading this if you have not done so, since the NT builds on a lot of the same theological imagery. I’m not sure what the general assumption of most Christians would be; whether…
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Memphis Church Hosts Ramadan
Read more: Memphis Church Hosts RamadanIn an interesting story made more intriguing by its setting, last year a church in the Bible belt joyfully agreed to host Ramadan. The Memphis Islamic Center was closed for renovations, sending the leaders of the mosque looking for an alternate venue with relatively little notice. Having a hard time finding a place that could…