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Christ the Cornerstone of Christian Hope: Theological Reflections from 1 Peter 2:4-10
Read more: Christ the Cornerstone of Christian Hope: Theological Reflections from 1 Peter 2:4-10In the Gospel of St. John, Jesus warns his disciples that those who persecute him will likewise persecute those who believe in him (Jn. 15.20). The encouragement and consolation penned to the recipients of 1 Peter deem these prophetic words true. While the details of their adversity are unclear, 1 Peter addresses the Christian communities…
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The Participatory Anthropology of 1 Corinthians: Reflections on Susan Eastman’s Paul and the Person
Read more: The Participatory Anthropology of 1 Corinthians: Reflections on Susan Eastman’s Paul and the PersonReading through Susan Eastman’s wonderful little study Paul and the Person over Christmas break has afforded me a chance to re-examine the kind of anthropology Paul takes for granted in his first letter to the Corinthians. The task of reevaluating traditional concepts of anthropology as a whole is enjoying something of a moment in biblical…
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Review of As it Was in the Beginning by Mark D. Owen
Read more: Review of As it Was in the Beginning by Mark D. OwenOwens, Mark D. As It Was in the Beginning: An Intertextual Analysis of New Creation in Galatians, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2015. Paperback. 241 pages. Retail: $29.00. ISBN: 9781498202404 In As It Was in the Beginning, Mark D. Owens compares “new creation” concepts in Galatians, 2 Corinthians, and Ephesians through an intertextual…
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What is Communion Really About?
Read more: What is Communion Really About?The theology behind the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper, or Communion has been debated throughout church history. However, the continued practice of it shows that it is an essential part of the church’s life. In my experience, Communion has always been about reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice and repenting for sins. Growing up, it was always at…
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James Bond and the Eucharist
Read more: James Bond and the EucharistI recently watched the new James Bond film entitled Spectre. I must say that it was amazing, and well worth your money. I will also say that it is exactly like every other Bond film. No spoilers, but here is what happened in Spectre and in every other Bond movie: 007 gets the bad guy….
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Are there prophets today? An Evangelical response to Mormonism
Read more: Are there prophets today? An Evangelical response to Mormonism“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, But he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”— Amos 3:7 Why do Christians no longer have prophets like Israel did in the Old Testament or why don’t we have apostles like the Church did in the New Testament? In my interaction with Latter Day Saints (LDS)…
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How Doctrine Makes Service Minded Saints
Read more: How Doctrine Makes Service Minded SaintsAs I’ve shared on The Two Cities before I have been incredibly impacted by passages like Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man [who’s]… delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night… In all that he does he prospers.” This passage has incredibly impacted how I do…
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Can You Critique The Church?
Read more: Can You Critique The Church?I was reading Josh Carroll’s post about the disease called “Critiqueomania” and I found that I myself have had rather severe bouts of this plague. Some of these outbreaks have been part of my former angst, but others seemed very well meant. Some were definitely “Critiqueomania,” but there were other times where my criticism was well…
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The Age of Angst and the Death of Calvinism
Read more: The Age of Angst and the Death of Calvinism[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=”” animation=”” animation_delay=”” fullwidth=”no” bg_type=”solid_color” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” video_texture=”” fw_columns=”” fw_same_height=”” border=”” waved_border_top=”” waved_border_bottom=”” top_margin=”0″ bottom_margin=”0″][vc_column width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=””][vc_column_text]I became what some might call a Calvinist my junior year in High school. Going to a Dutch Reformed private school where I took a “Reformed Perspectives” class certainly aided this process. I had resisted of…
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The Key to Successful Ministry
Read more: The Key to Successful MinistrySometime after I graduated High School, but before I went to college I was fervently trying to decide what I was going to do with my life. As the fog began to clear and I could see that the LORD was calling me to some type of ministry, I began to devour books and podcasts….