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The Failure of Evangelicalism
Read more: The Failure of EvangelicalismThis is a post I wrote on my personal blog a few years ago. I think it still holds true but would like to hear your thoughts I think evangelicalism has failed on two major fronts. One is the preaching and teaching of the Sanctification process through the power of the Holy Spirit. So much…
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God Is Not Chewy
Read more: God Is Not ChewyThere are many things that God is not. And chewy is one of them. No, I’m not referring to this well-beloved Star Wars character. Although that’s true; God is definitely not Chewbacca. It may seem silly, but I whole-heartedly affirm that God is not chewy. By saying that God is not chewy I am doing…
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God’s Presence & Absence (Or, Practical Eschatology)
Read more: God’s Presence & Absence (Or, Practical Eschatology)This summer I am working on my upcoming book on Esther for Wipf and Stock. This has taken me miles away from Galatia (where my doctoral research has largely resided) to the capital of the Persian Empire, Susa. Additionally, I am no longer in the first century, but am thinking about the reign of King…
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What is Forgiveness?
Read more: What is Forgiveness?In a couple of weeks I will be giving a short sermon on the subject of forgiveness. I knew from the outset that this was not a “safe” topic for me. Forgiveness does not come easy for me, especially in the places that it really matters, that is, in the places where the perceived wrongs…
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Ecclesia and Ethics: Day One
Read more: Ecclesia and Ethics: Day OneThis past Saturday was Day One of the online conference that I had been co-organizing with some of my officemates from St Andrews. It was both exhausting and exhilarating. Because it was designed to be an international conference, my day began at 6am local time in California and ended at 4pm local time. During this…
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On Sinkholes and Suspicion: Part Two
Read more: On Sinkholes and Suspicion: Part TwoIn my last post I talked about the reality of sinkholes, the absolutely terrifying natural phenomenon in which what was once stable ground gives way and forms gaping chasms. Reports of sinkholes swallowing people from the face of the earth have been regular fare for news coverage recently. And for me, the actuality of yet…
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Same sex marriage: the argument from inevitability
Read more: Same sex marriage: the argument from inevitabilityAlex Lundry, Mitt Romney’s data analyst, recently reported that over 60% of evangelical youth support the legalization of same sex marriage (SSM). This number is in stark contrast to the responses of older evangelical Christians to poll on the issue. Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen cited this statistic on NBC’s Meet the Press this past Sunday. The…
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Objections to the Trinity
Read more: Objections to the TrinityHere in Sydney I’m currently co-teaching a seminary class on the doctrine of the Trinity. We’ve spent the first few weeks of the course reading and discussing some sermons by Gregory of Nazianzus. The next section will focus on parts of Augustine’s De Trinitate. In the final third of the semester we’ll work through §59 of Karl…
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Reflections on Unconditional Love
Read more: Reflections on Unconditional LoveThe concept of unconditional love is among the best-known and most-beloved of all Christian doctrines, and for good reason. God’s love for his children is unmerited; there is nothing that we can do to earn God’s love so there is nothing that we can do to be separated from it either. Nevertheless the more I…
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Thinking Carefully . . .
Read more: Thinking Carefully . . .For those of you who dabble in the circles of theology and modern celebrity pastor culture, you quickly find out how it’s “circles” work. First, after learning about all the major teachers, pastor’s or theologians who are heroes in your circles, you start learning about which leaders and figures are loved and claimed by “other”…