All the ordinary places and events of our lives hold the potential to become houses of God, gateways of heaven. Every moment holds the possibility of revealing the hidden God in our midst. The reason knowing God does not consist of an endless stream of ecstatic and extraordinary experiences is because God wants us to learn to see him in the ordinary! »more
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All the ordinary places and events of our lives hold the potential to become houses of God, gateways of heaven. Every moment holds the possibility of revealing the hidden God in our midst. The reason knowing God does not consist of an endless stream of ecstatic and extraordinary experiences is because God wants us to learn to see him in the ordinary! »more
We must not only view them from the perspective of his Jewish heritage, but also from the perspective of his Greco-Roman setting. When we do this, we discover that many of the passages that moderns react against as narrow and intolerant are really, in Paul's Greco-Roman setting, progressive and revolutionary. »more
No matter how prepared we think we are, we are never quite prepared for the shock of resurrection. We must not domesticate the event. It is wild and untamed, unforeseen and unexpected. It casts its shadow (or better, light) on all that precedes it. Easter should always come as a surprise. Yet it is the only event that makes sense of all that Jesus taught. »more
"All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." The tempter invites Jesus to secure the cooperation of the nations through the tried and true way of political force; to use questionable means - the ways of the world - for good ends. And the force of the temptation - its main allure to Jesus - was that this kind of power works! »more
If the tempter can't get Jesus to sin through lack of faith, he'll seek to get Jesus to fall because of his great faith. He says, "So you trust God, do you? Enough to place your safety completely in God's hands? If you really trust God, jump from a great height. For if God is truly trustworthy nothing bad can ever happen to you. Right? Isn't that what the scriptures teach?" »more
What could be so wrong with a hungry man turning stones into bread? This temptation is not nearly as benign as it initially seems. The tempter seeks to influence Jesus to allow immediate desires to overshadow ultimate concerns - to allow fidelity to God to fade into the background because of the pressing needs of the moment. »more
As sure as night follows days, so times of great revelation are followed by times of testing. One moment we have a mountaintop experience, hearing words of love from God: "Behold, my beloved child, in whom I am well-pleased." The next moment we find ourselves in a desert, wondering whether we are loved at all. It is here that faith is tested. »more
Sometimes it flies, sometimes it crawls, but it always
passes. We all have the same amount of it, yet none of us ever feel like we have enough of it. We all use it differently and what we do with it defines the shape of our lives. We speak of buying it, saving it, and beating it, but we really can't do any of these things. But we can make the most of it. »more
"God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor." It is true that God has made us in the divine image. But returning the favor by making God in our own image is not an expression of gentlemanly manners. It is our shame, not our glory. We are made in God's image; God is not made in ours. »more
Humankind bears the "image of God." We are "mirrors of God" created to reflect God's glory. If this is true a follow-up question naturally arises: What's our problem? If we bear God's image, why is there so much darkness, both around and within us? Why don't we live up to our potential? What's gone wrong with God's image-bearer? »more
"Spirituality does not consist of being told what to do. It consists of being reminded of who we are." What's your story? And what does your story tell you about who you are? If you find your story in God's story, than the answer is this: You know who you are in relationship to God. You are an image-bearer of God. And so is every other human being you will ever meet. »more
The great masters of prayer have compared the spiritual
life to an ocean. On the surface life may be roiled by wind and tides. Yet
beneath the surface, even amid a stormy sea, the water is calm. Deep contentment and inner peace are anchored in these depths - the truth behind, "Be still, and know that I am God." »more
Why is praise so important? Why is it a consistent feature
of almost every prayer? Does God need it? No. God's ego is not so fragile that God needs our constant praise and support. But God knows we need to praise God in order to keep our focus centered on God. We need to remember who God is and how God acts prior to our asking God for anything. »more
Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." Most of us exist in a state of desperation, but we are afraid to admit it. Strangely enough, we will not pray as we ought unless we are willing to admit our weakness, brokenness, and desperation. We need God in our lives. It is for this reason that we pray. »more
God is greater than a reluctant friend. God is better than the most caring parent. God wants to share a deep, intimate, and mutually reciprocal relationship with us. Our challenge is to possess the holy boldness to approach God at all times and for all things, trusting God to provide what we need most. »more
After the masses abandon Jesus because of his "hard" teaching, Jesus turns to his twelve disciples and offers one of the most touching, heartbreaking, and haunting questions of his life: "Do you also wish to go away?" What do you do when Jesus' teaching is hard to understand? Can you love the God you don't understand? »more
The current craze in contemporary spiritual literature is to embrace a Churchless Christianity. I realize that this is often done out of frustration. But the church that Christ loves is not a supermodel, but rather, a flawed and broken bride. Like Christ, we must regain a love for the church as it really is - warts and all - and not as we imagine it should be. »more
Many view ministers as nothing but effeminate and incompetent individuals, sniveling wimps who are unable to hold down a "real job." But according to Paul, ministers are action heroes. Paul offers three examples of faithful ministry: A faithful minister must be like a single-minded soldier, a self-disciplined and law-abiding athlete, and a hard-working farmer. »more
Ministry to others is a source of great joy and of frustration. Our benevolent actions are not always appreciated. Our good intentions are sometimes misunderstood. Our personal sacrifices may go unrecognized and unrewarded. This is the reason we need a tough hide and a tender heart: that we might practice patient ministry for the good of others. »more
According to the Christian tradition, the greatest sin is that of spiritual pride. Spiritual pride mimics righteousness but its fruit is evil - hatred, intolerance, and division - and leads us to look down on others and hold them in contempt. We must be ever mindful of the danger of spiritual pride, especially in the midst of our greatest spiritual advances. »more
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus... And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace." A robust theology of creation does not lead to this world-denying conclusion, but rather results in full and joyous participation in creation. Things do not become dimmer, but rather, they become clearer in light of God's truth concerning creation. »more
One natural reaction to the rising waters and crashing waves of affliction is fear. When storms suddenly arise in our lives, we all too quickly assume, like the disciples, that God must not care for us. If God did, we assume, there wouldn't be a storm in the first place. We cry out to God, "Don't you care?" We forget who is in the boat with us. »more
Children learn by first observing, then imitating, and only then, beginning to master the rules and gain understanding of their significance. We learn faith in the same way. We "bear witness" to the truth through what we say and do - "Follow me as I follow Christ." Never underestimate the power of an example. It attracts and transforms. »more
Understanding the narcissism epidemic is important because its long-term consequences are destructive to society. American culture's focus on self-admiration has caused a flight from reality to the land of grandiose fantasy. We need a new cultural belief: if you love yourself too much, you won't have enough love left for anyone else. »more
The Son and the Spirit are the "two arms" of the God, sent to draw us into the embrace of the Father. The challenge of our entire baptized lives is to continually discover - and rediscover - what it means to find ourselves in the eternal embrace of the Triune God. The desire to become like Christ by bearing the Fruit of the Spirit is a good first step. »more
The birth of church at Pentecost is accompanied by strange events: a violent rushing wind that produces a deafening sound, floating tongues of fire that alight on people's heads and yet do not burn their hair, and the miraculous ability to speak in different languages. Strange events indeed! "What does this mean?" and "What should we do?" »more
Jesus served, not in spite of being God, but because he is God. The point is clear: God is most clearly seen in servanthood. If we allow Jesus to be our chief window to God, we discover that servanthood is the most accurate reflection of God. We are never more like God than when we serve others. Jesus revealed that service is the truest expression of divine love. »more
Our children need a stronger foundation than self-interest and peer approval. We need to help our children nurture and develop their moral commitments. We must be parents, teachers, and mentors for our children's sake. For parenting is not about us feeling good, but about our children becoming good, principled, moral adults. »more
No matter what, pruning is inevitable in order that a vine may bear good fruit. Branches that bear no fruit must be removed and cut off. Likewise, branches that bear fruit must be pruned in order that they will bear more and better fruit. The spiritual lesson is clear: Everyone is under God's knife. And that's precisely what pop spirituality doesn't want. »more
It is this hope that must carry us or we will eventually stumble in our faith. Sometimes it is very easy to give ourselves to others, to walk by faith. We need hope to stand firm in faith! For faith without hope - that is, faith without a future - is dead. Faith cannot stand on its own for long. It needs the mutual support of hope, and love. »more
Though Mark's abrupt, awkward ending offers no closure and no happily-ever-afters, it still offers good news. Jesus is alive. All is forgiven. A new start is possible. Jesus goes before us. If we want to see him, we, like the disciples, must also renew our commitment to follow him. »more
What savior are we celebrating this Palm Sunday? Are we just as ethnicly focused, nationalistic, or violent in our desires? Do we, with our branches, herald the god of our nationalistic self-interests or the God who blesses all nations? the god of our military war machine or the God of peace? The god who blesses America or the God who blesses the world? »more
During his sophomore year at Brown University, Kevin Roose transferred to Liberty University in order to gain first-hand experience of Jerry Falwell's "Bible Boot Camp." In order to fully immerse himself in the experience, he freely chose to conform to the forty-six-page code of conduct called "The Liberty Way." Find out what he learned. »more
How does God respond to our doubts? My answer takes the form of three statements: (1) Doubt is understandable because there is an inherent "scandal" in God's ways; (2) Doubt is not condemned because it is faith taking itself seriously; and (3) Though doubt is not condemned, neither is it applauded. God calls us to walk by faith, not by doubt. »more
The toleration of making fun of nerds and geeks is not harmless fun but has serious consequences for our children and for our society. If our children come to believe that their only two options are to be sexy and attractive or intelligent and ugly, there is little doubt which option they will pick - especially as their hormones kick in during their tweenage and teenage years. »more
Let's not be afraid to admit it. We all do it. Without it, we simply have no practical means by which to approach God. What am I referring to? We all put God in a box! We all have to do it or God remains an empty term, void of meaning and unable to guide any sustainable practice. The challenge is to make sure we never close the lid!
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Orthodoxy shows why what we believe cannot be explained but can only be prayed. Orthodoxy is worship. It is the best human expression of divine mysteries. It attempts to preserve the mystery while simultaneously refusing to explain it away. Thus, orthodox belief is not some sort of easy way out of intellectual hard work; heresy is more often the easier option. »more
In our litigious society, warning labels are affixed to most products in order to reveal possible negative consequences of using a product. Some warning labels are humorous and unnecessary. But not all are. Jesus believed that religion should come with a warning label. Jesus' warning can be reduced to one word: Warning - hypocrisy! »more
Jesus' will and determination to reach out and touch us in all our uncleanness is clear: "I do so will!" Jesus does this at great cost to himself - a cost that climaxes in the cross. We never have to second guess the breadth and width of God's compassion. It is greater than we can fathom and reaches out beyond the boundaries we often set. »more
If Jesus needed times of solitude, how much more is this true for us. But solitude feels more like a punishment than a reward. We are part of a culture addicted to amusement, noise, and music. The constant chatter and endless buzz keeps us focused on trivial distractions and prevents us from truly wrestling with ourselves, God, meaning, and real life. »more
We are suspicious of authority - and rightly so. We've seen its dark side. We know how it can be used to betray the public trust and how power can be abused for manipulative, self-seeking ends. But Jesus' authority is different. It arises from God's inbreaking kingdom. Consequently, his authority is used in God's kind of way - in the way of service to others. »more
I will be painfully honest: I am not afraid of death, but I am afraid of old age! I believe in eternal life and the resurrection of the dead. I don't believe that death is the end. The hope of resurrection gives me personal comfort in life and in death. But I have seen firsthand the trials and tribulations of old age. The challenges that accompany the senior years overwhelm me. »more
It is through human witness that others are led to recognize Jesus as the Christ. The invitation to "Come and see" is at the heart of Christian evangelism. But more is needed from us than an invitation. We must have something worth seeing. Our challenge is to live as disciples and create a place that is worth seeing - a place where heaven and earth intersect. »more
Is God furious at the world? Is God's stance toward the world hostile, filled with bitter enmity? Are we sinners in the hands of an angry God? The Orthodox answer to all three questions is "No." God does not have a hostile
attitude toward the world. We may be hostile toward God, but God is not hostile to
us. Instead, God loves us. »more
The name of God defies conceptualization, but invites relationship. The sacred name allowed Israel to invoke God and establish a personal relationship with God. It allowed them to personally identify the God who chose to be with them and for them. God's desire for a personal relationship is at the heart of God's revelation. »more
"Of course, God loves me; that's his job." But apart from the incarnation, why would we assume this to be true? Let's pretend Jesus was never born. Now, ask yourself, how can you be assured of God's love? What reasons can you give that suggest you matter to God at all? What evidence exists to make the case for a loving God who is humbly interested in your welfare? »more
The first word of the gospel is joy: "Behold, I bring you good news of great joy for all people!" But, how can we rejoice during tough times? When the economy is in such desperate straits? When people continue to suffer war, injustice, hunger, violence, and cruelty? Somber times call for sobriety, not celebration - right? Doesn't God want us to be serious? »more
Joker is the embodiment of pure nihilism. To the Joker, the world has no meaning; life makes no sense. The most sane response to an absurd reality is insanity, absurdity, chaos, and destruction. Unlike most villains Joker seeks no good - because there is no good. All attempts at good are insane. His only wish is to spread his madness to the world. »more
Still in his 20s, John Lennon possessed everything that people assume leads to happiness: fame, fortune, power, and prominence. And yet, none of these things brought him the peace he craved. He was willing to give away everything for just a little peace of mind. If peace is not found in performance, possessions, or popularity, where can it be found? »more
We dwell in a secular world, but we believe in a sacramental world - a world alive in God, created by God for God. The gospel will always clash with secularity. Reason is not the ultimate authority. Matter is not all that matters. And yet in spite of its extremes, secularity has much to commend it. We would do well to affirm its positives while critiquing its negatives. »more
Although she abandoned her faith as an adult and declared herself an atheist, novelist Anne Rice's defenses were broken down as she researched history for her novels, laying the ground for her return to faith. She realized that she didn't need to have all the answers to come to God - she simply needed to trust that God had the answers. »more
Gratitude looks underneath the surface of things and recognizes that there is a goodness outside ourselves that truly exists even when we fail to experience it. No matter how dark or difficult life gets, it would certainly be darker if we felt there were no ultimate meaning, purpose, or significance to life - that no external goodness accompanied us all along the way. »more
When our sense of identity, worth, and security rests on material possessions, we discover that no matter how much we gain, it is never enough. We always find that we need just a little more to be happy. We are tempted to define enough as "always something more than I have now." As a result, happiness and contentment elude us. »more
We are not in the human potential business. We are in the saint-making business. We seek to be and make disciples of Jesus Christ. We long to be people who reflect Christ in our daily lives - people who love God and love others. We must remain committed to this mission, for according to Jesus, what the world needs most are faithful disciples of Christ. »more
The Bible's accurate portrayal of a good-but-flawed humanity clearly demonstrates that redemption comes not through human initiative but through divine faithfulness. The story of the Bible is the story of a God who is active in human history, bringing blessing in the midst of a fallen world. The good news begins in Genesis and climaxes in Christ! »more
In the presence of truth, goodness, and beauty, we find ourselves inexplicably driven to voice our approval and bear witness of this approval to others. Why? Because we are homo religiosus - worshipping beings. Our positive affirmations of truth, goodness, and beauty should lead us to their true source and goal - God. »more
The flood returns creation to its original state, but with significant changes. Sin still remains. Creation is no longer "very good" but "corrupt." The human heart is not innocent, but clouded by sin. Since humankind's future flourishing cannot depend on human faithfulness, God's covenant now supports and sustains God's relationship with creation. »more
Imagine you are a teenager in a new high school on the first day of school and it is lunchtime. Who do you sit with? The jocks, cheerleaders, academics, nerds, troublemakers, or losers? These divisions do not go away when we grow up. The world continues to look like one gigantic high-school lunchroom. Radical Hospitality is God's countercultural solution. »more
Pop mysticisms veer from the traditions they steal from by advocating their system as a means of manipulating reality for personal benefit. True spiritual transformation - whether it is christlikeness, enlightenment, cosmic consciousness, etc. - is not about enhancing your golf game, or making life more comfortable. »more
The story of the flood is not about God's wrath or anger. God expresses sorrow, disappointment, and regret. God grieves because God loves. God does not stand in an indifferent or remote relationship to what has happened, but personally enters into its brokenness and works on it from within. This covenant faithfulness comes at a cost to God. »more
In a world sanctified by Christ, people, places, and things become means of grace. The world is sacramental (matter with meaning) and not merely spiritual (matter that has no meaning, but is perceived as an obstacle to true spirituality). The difference between an authentic Christian spirituality and our culture's current craze could not be greater. »more
Too many people make it sound like transforming the culture is simple. They fail to recognize how deeply we are transformed by culture and how difficult it actually is to change culture, much less the world. In contrast to our common naïve posturing, Crouch asks us to seriously consider, "What would it mean to 'change the world,' after all?"
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In the story of Cain and Abel, we discover that sin is a very real threat to human flourishing. Our freedom is found in obedience to God's counsel. Our struggle against sin is a lifelong challenge. A good society begins with good people. Cain's social injustice is fueled by Cain's personal sin - sin Cain refuses to acknowledge and restrain. »more
The curse that comes about through human sin is in direct opposition to God's original intent of blessing. Thankfully, God's blessing continues in spite of the curse. Marriage, reproduction, and harvest will continue. But because of the curse, pain and turmoil will accompany human efforts to sustain life, bear children, and produce food. »more
At the heart of every temptation is the subtle accusation, "God is not good." Therefore, "God can't be trusted." At the deepest level we are dealing with matters of trust. Can we trust God even when we don't know the whole story - like a child must trust a parent? Or should we trust only ourselves, short-circuiting a relationship with God? »more
Adam and Eve will learn "the knowledge of good and evil" by means of the tree - either through resisting evil's persuasive influence or by disobeying God and experiencing evil's destructive power. The choice boils down to either (1) self-dependent autonomy or (2) God-dependent faith and obedience. The same choice stands before us today. »more
God's psalmist poetically describes humankind in the following manner, "You have made human beings a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor" (Psalm 8:5). What is it that caused the psalmist to speak in such elevated and beautiful language? The answer lies in the pregnant phrase, "the image and likeness of God." »more
Joni Mitchell sang, "We've got to get ourselves back to the garden." We are all haunted by the dream of paradise. What does it mean to "get back to the garden"? Genesis 2 offers a glimpse. In the Garden we discover humankind in a peaceful relationship with God, others, and the environment. Tragically, paradise will soon become a prison through human sin. »more
We need to recover a robust theology of creation. In redemption, God's good creation is not abandoned but inhabited. Salvation is not an escape from creation but the ultimate sanctifying of creation. The Christian tradition, therefore, takes issue with materialists - who reduce reality to mere matter - and spiritualists - who deny that matter actually matters. »more
Belief in a creator God is an invitation to view all reality through the lens of faith. It gives meaning to the whole of human existence. Though we cannot possibly comprehend the magnitude and meaning of it all, we can rest assured that, in the divine mind, the universe "makes sense" and is not "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." »more
The Hebrew Bible - the collection of books Christians have traditionally called the Old Testament - is the Church's first Bible. Before the New Testament was complete the church was able to see Jesus in the Hebrew Bible. They proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ as standing in marked continuity with the covenant promises of the Old Testament. »more
Though the cross, like all sacred truths, is prone to abuse, this is not guaranteed. Crucifixion does not assume the abuse of power or condoning of violence. Rightly understood, it exposes the abuses of power and condoning of violence that leads to such injustice. In other words, it makes plain human sin - personal, institutional, political, systemic, corporate, etc. »more
In the Song of Songs - just as in the opening chapters of the Bible - we encounter a man and a woman in a garden, naked and unashamed. Just as in Eden, God pronounces a blessing on the delightful and fulfilling love of eros. Our human experience of eros is a faint glimpse of God's passion for us. Only eros can communicate the intensity of divine love. »more
Eros is passionate love. The deep feelings that accompany eros are often exclusively associated with sexuality, but eros is not limited to it. Though eros is motivated by self-interest, one should not conclude that eros is always selfish. Eros, when rightly ordered with the other loves, is a deeply spiritual expression of love. »more
Agape love is a spontaneous and generous love that is self-giving to the point of being self-sacrificial. Agape goes beyond the law and must not be equated with "justice." Agape's boundlessness and spontaneity refuse to be held to minimal standards, and therefore cannot be contained in any expression of law, no matter how righteous. »more
Dan Folgerberg's "Longer" is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. There is just one problem with the song: It is not true! Even though the love described in "Longer" is humanly impossible, there is a reason a song like this touches us so deeply. This is the kind of love we long for - the kind of love we sing about and dream about. »more
The truth appears upside-down in an upside-down world, for it is rooted in redemptive realities that transcend this present world and its systems. Therefore, our chief concern is not to be viewed as wise according to the world's standards. If we follow Christ, we will most likely be considered foolish, crazy - even silly. »more
A creed is a concise, formal, and authorized confession stating what a church believes and teaches. A creed attempts to summarize "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). It expresses the conviction that "continuity with that faith is the essence of orthodoxy, and discontinuity with it the essence of heresy." »more
All without distinction are loved by God - a love that is wider, broader, deeper, and higher than we can possibly fathom. Our temptation will always be to sell it short, to whittle it down, to shrink it down to a size we can manage and control. On the contrary, we must humbly recognize that we cannot possibly comprehend the greatness of God's love. »more
What question should ultimately guide ethical theory? "What ought I to do?" "What kinds of outcome will this decision
produce?" or "What kind of moral character will be shaped by my actions?" Should ethical theory be other-oriented, future-oriented, or self-oriented? Could all three questions be integrated together to provide a more robust foundation for ethics? »more
We parents should not fear that if we are no longer needed, we are no longer loved. Family love (storge) must change and develop over time in order to faithfully steward the gift of children from infant to adult. Parents must learn the art of welcoming and letting go. Ideally, family love gives us roots for our soul and wings for our spirit. »more
God works through an organized community led by gifted (and sometimes, significantly flawed) leaders who equip and empower the community to use their gifts and abilities for the common good of the community and as redemptive agents for the sake of the world. This pattern is universal, but its expression is always local, particular, unique. »more
What are the current weaknesses in contemporary worship music? The absence of Trinitarian language and recounting God's story, a low regard for the church, an over-reliance on romantic ideals, the lack of a social justice vision and expressions of human pain and suffering - these are all problematic in the large scope of Christian faith and practice. »more
Because of Christ's resurrection, we do not share in Sisyphus' horrific and maddening fate. Our actions are not pointless, meaningless, and empty of significance. With faith in God's promise of future resurrection, we passionately give ourselves to the Lord's work, for we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. »more
Though we are slowly being transformed into Christ's image in the present, we await complete transformation into Christ's likeness in the future. This final transformation occurs "in a moment."The great "mystery" is that God will, in an instant, completely restore and renew our humanity to be suited to dwell in God's immediate presence in new creation. »more
One cannot imagine a greater nightmare than to be doomed to eternal existence as a reanimated corpse - a zombie. For many modern people, this is exactly what comes to mind when they initially consider the idea of bodily resurrection. They are, quite understandly, revolted at the prospect. But this is not resurrection from a biblical perspective... »more
Sheol - the netherworld - holds no comforts or prospects of future life. This effectively cuts short any possibility of a hopeful end to one's life. Does the Old Testament offer any hope beyond the grave? Does the Hebrew Bible have a theology of resurrection? Or, is resurrection in conflict with the dominant message of the Old Testament? »more
Where is Jesus? The short answer: Heaven.
Unfortunately, our preconceptions of heaven get in the way of understanding what the early church meant in its confession of Jesus' ascension to heaven. Too often, we focus on the question: Where is heaven? A better question is: What is heaven? Jesus is not "somewhere in a galaxy, far, far away." »more
Hall calls us to a thinking faith that voraciously desires to understand, yet embraces the importance of doubt and uncertainty in the life of faith. We can understand the longing for certitude, but biblical religion does not offer certitude. Any kind of finality is nothing but a lie. "God offers us an alternative to certitude. It is called trust." »more
Western Christians, following Augustine's lead, assume that death is God's doing - God's punishment for sin - and therefore, God's will. In Eastern perspective, death is God's enemy, a great evil, a perversion, a corrupting parasite on God's good creation. The fear of death is used by evil powers to deceptively destroy the works of God. Only resurrection is the remedy! »more
It is not Eckhart Tolle's desire for an authentic spirituality that I find troubling. Rather, it is the way his system inhibits true human flourishing. The human person cannot flourish when humanity, personality, and all that this encompasses - thinking, acting, feeling, etc. - are brushed aside as irrelevant, and even worse, a deceptive pathological delusion! »more
We live in a nation obsessed with celebrities. When the activities of Brad and Angelina, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton receive more attention than serious news items, we can rest assured that we have swallowed the pill of our new addiction. We are, in the words of Jake Halpern, "fame junkies." What's behind our fascination with fame? »more
It is from the cross – after six hours of public humiliation, mental anguish, emotional turmoil, and excruciating physical pain – that Jesus declares his victory: "It is finished!" This is certainly a strange victory revealed in a strange place and at a strange time. How could it possibly be that the Crucified One is triumphant – even victorious? »more
Though the internet gives the sense of connecting us to others, this is nothing but an illusion. We remain alone before a screen with our own desires at center stage. The vast majority of self-expression is little more than self-indulgence and self-promotion. Imagination and creativity are rare. The self-expression may be amusing, but rarely moving. »more
Jesus’ final words reflected the course of his entire life. These eight words were directed to God as a final witness of Jesus’ life and ministry: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” What will your last words be? What will they reveal about your life – your values, your beliefs? How would you summarize your life in the space afforded by dying gasps? »more
Had Jesus desired to do so, he could have satisfied his physical thirst. However, Jesus’ desire for water, for relief from his pain, was not as great as his desire to redeem humankind. In other words, Jesus’ thirst for us trumped his thirst for water. “I thirst” is not simply identification with human pain, but an expression of God's passion for humanity's redemption. »more
Faith does not come without a fight. Hope is empty apart from hardships. Love without lament is superficial. We should never imagine that we can have a deep intimate relationship with God without all the doubts, frustrations, and complaints that accompany an authentic relationship – substituting "pious froth" for "fighting the good fight of faith." »more
The metaphor of family is applied to the entire life and mission of the faith community. It speaks of a shared commitment, mutual responsibility, and common identity. In our self-absorbed, fragmented culture, we need this metaphor to expand the horizon of our care and compassion. After all, most of us would do anything for our families. »more
In the midst of the horror and madness of Jesus’ crucifixion, one lone voice of sanity arises from a completely unexpected source: a convicted death-row criminal. Somehow, in a startling turn of events, the last person anyone would expect to speak truth and sanity – a violent criminal, an evil terrorist – witnessed of the truth concerning Jesus. »more
The church is a forgiven and forgiving community. We must never separate these two. Our experience of the first (divine forgiveness) should quite naturally lead to the second (forgiving others). Having been graced by God, we must be gracious to one another. For this reason, we daily pray as our Lord Jesus taught: “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” »more
In the face of the depths of human depravity, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them.” Why should God forgive? What is the reason Jesus offers? The reason he gives is that we need forgiveness because we are ignorant: “for they do not know what they are doing.” This is amazing grace, amazing love – radical forgiveness in the face of radical sin. »more
Authentic Christian spirituality is fully human, fully embodied. In our culture, human limitations are often perceived as obstacles to unhindered union with God. On the contrary, it is precisely in and through our humanity that we experience God. Christian spirituality is not an attempt to escape our humanity but to embrace God in and through it. »more
Sadly, repentance is often viewed in a negative light. Its positive qualities are rarely affirmed and celebrated. Why? We recoil against those who call us to spiritual self-examination. We don’t like to be reminded that are sinners and we don’t like to be told what to do. How many of us really want to know what God wants us to do – especially if it involves change? »more
When we think of a "perfect" or "sinless" person, we usually think of someone who is “holier-than-thou” and snobbish. But in Jesus we discover that the only one who is truly “holier-than-thou” is wholly for us. His holiness is that of otherly love – love of another kind! His perfection does not make him less-than-human, but rather, truly human. »more
Adolescence is not easy for any family – including the holy family. Jesus must have been an ideal son. Mary and Joseph were surely godly parents. And yet, even for the holy family it was not easy. Growth comes at a price. It is impossible to escape growing pains. If the holy family could not do it, then neither can we. »more
We must not forget the problems of language in regard to speaking of God. The shift away from “analogical” language to “univocal” language – “the growing confidence that our language about God makes roughly the same sort of sense as our language about creatures” – is the first stage of “the domestication of transcendence.” »more
The study of the origin or
evolution of religion usually attracts those who are antagonistic to religion. For such individuals, no matter what the evidence reveals, the
existence of God is rejected. If the religions studied are in conflict, then
they must all be wrong. If they are similar, then they must merely be human
inventions. »more
Leaders are rarely what we perceive them to be. The more we get to know them, the more we are disillusioned. Rarely, however, does one both experience disillusion and yet increase in one’s respect for an individual. This occurred to me as I read Frank Schaeffer’s memoir of growing up in the household of Francis and Edith Schaeffer. »more
At the end of the day, everyone is trying to sell something. Every person with a product or message hopes to communicate in a way that is compelling, persuasive, and convincing. In other words, they hope to influence another person. They package their message or product in such a way that it is most effective. »more
Agnostic A. J. Jacobs writes of his attempt to live the ultimate biblical life - to follow the Bible as literally as possible for one year. He quickly recognizes that it is impossible to follow the Bible with consistent literalism. He discovers that “when it comes to the Bible, there is always—but always—some level of interpretation, even on the most seemingly basic rules.” »more
In the sacred scriptures, we are constantly admonished to “fear not” because fear is a spiritual and moral issue. Fear keeps us from becoming the kind of people God wants us to be. When fear rules our lives, there is no place for faith, courage, hope, risk, or love. Following Jesus requires that we fight fear and step out “into faith’s daring.” »more
Truth is knowable. Truth is do-able. Truth is proclaim-able. Thus, the Christian finds herself at odds with radical pluralists who claim that all truth-claims are equal, with postmodernists who question whether truth is knowable, and fundamentalists who reduce truth to propositional truth-claims. »more
McLaren believes that the “real” Jesus has been domesticated, watered-down, and ignored by Western Christians. He invites us to embrace a new ideology rooted in Jesus’ kingdom vision. He believes that Jesus’ framing story will guide us to respect environmental limits, work for the common good, and seek peaceful reconciliation among competing factions. »more
According to Baggini, the meaning of life is not "discovered" but "created." Since "God is dead," we are responsible to create meaning for ourselves. However, after an entire book committed to the methodologies of rationalism to speak of life’s meaning, he must abandon his rationalism in order to provide a satisfying answer to the meaning of life. »more
Emotions are not irrational. They are inseparably linked with our intellect, or more accurately, our beliefs, values, and assessments. Because of this they are not unimportant, uncontrollable, or undesirable. They are not shallow, unstable, or untruthful. On the contrary, emotions tell us the truth about what we believe and what we value. »more
The new wired world we live in is not all sunshine and roses. The vast majority of the internet is little more than “ignorance meets egoism meets bad taste meets mob rule.” The radical democratization of all voices does not lend itself to greater truth. Though all people are entitled to their own opinion, not every opinion is of equal weight or value. »more
The Eastern tradition has much to commend it. Because it begins with different questions, it has much to offer those willing to wrestle with its answers. In my opinion, we need both lungs of the church – the Western and the Eastern – in order to possess the fullness of the Christian tradition. The treasures of Orthodoxy are for all Christians. »more
The God of The Shack is not a generic God, but soundly Trinitarian. This allows the theology presented to be deeply relational, rooted in intratrinitarian love. As such, it provides some of the most profound reflections on God that I’ve come across in Christian fiction. Because the essence of God is love, God cannot act apart from love! »more
A superhero’s humility is set in stark contrast to a villain’s hubris. Villains rarely have secret identities. They do not wish to identity with a common humanity. They envision themselves as above the fray of mortal humans. They deserve to rule the world, to be worshipped by the masses. This is the chief reason they always fail: their ego gets in the way. »more
The problem with agnosticism is that it is empty of any real significance to human life. It is incapable of realization and can neither be embodied nor practiced. It offers an intangible solution to a very substantive problem. It attempts to avoid the unavoidable by abstention. But only a firm “yes” or “no” to the question of God has any real practical significance. »more
By the age of 22, George Harrison had everything the world could offer. And yet, it left him empty. Thus began his search for something more. It is possible to gain the world and lose our soul. Unlike most of us, George truly possessed all the world had to offer – but it was not enough. He recognized that life is ultimately empty apart from God. »more
Every group has a message – a gospel, or good news – that they hope to transmit. This is certainly true for the “most popular, repeatedly covered, influential, and enduring rock group of all time:” the Beatles. The goal of this essay is to piece together from the music, lyrics, and lives of the Fab Four the Gospel according to the Beatles. »more
The church is "a people whose life together witnesses to God’s redemption of creation.” This is accomplished through the witness of worship and the work of God's kingdom in the world. No matter how much people deny it, no matter how difficult the task to create and sustain it, the church truly matters – to God and to the world. »more
Too often, our attempts to make the faith "cool" are a "sellout to show-business" or a "caricature of culture" - a mere accommodation to a rapidly changing youth culture. Baptizing culture is dangerous because "culture is not the same as Spirit." There’s a difference between "trends" and "transcendence." »more
A sacred worldview assumes that the limits of human perception do not exhaust the infinite possibilities of our shared reality. It embraces the fact that reality is not what it seems to the senses – it is always more. We do not find out what is real just by seeing, touching, smelling, hearing, or tasting things. »more
God’s will challenges our natural tendency to egocentrism and calls us to a theocentric perspective of life. We tend to harbor the illusion that the world revolves around us and our desires. After all, our experience is more real to us than anything else. This causes us to be skeptical and dismissive of what we do not experience. Tragically, this is our sin. »more
When we approach the will of God as a way of life, we live for God right where we are. We recognize that a concern for God’s will is not primarily about big events or future decisions. We discover that God’s will is about life in the present – in the big and the little events. This prevents us from using God’s will as an excuse for self-absorption. »more
Divinization is an admittedly “troublesome term intended to articulate the capacity of every person to become holy, godlike, attuned to God, and united to the divine in every aspect of being.” By refracting the ancient tradition through the prism of our postmodern context, the wisdom of the past is made available in a new idiom for a new time. »more
A personal God is an offense to most people. Why? A personal God possesses a will and desires us to align our wills with God's will. A personal God makes claims on our lives and invites our response of respect, surrender, faith, and love. Most people prefer an impersonal energy that makes no demands. »more
Union speaks of a deep, intimate bond - the highest level of relatedness that two distinct entities can possess. It is exemplified in the relationship between a husband and wife, or even more poignantly, between mother and child. It is not an absorption into the other. It is shared life that affirms and celebrates the other. »more
Professor Richard Dawkins teaches that religion is “the root of all evil.” Christopher Hitchens believes religion is deadly, poisoning everything it touches. Sam Harris argues that commitment to religion at any level – from fundamentalist to liberal expressions – is
dangerous to society. Are these men right? Or is there more to the story? »more
We can see, hear, and smell from afar, but with taste, we must completely give ourselves over to the object we consume. When food enters our mouth, dissolves in our saliva, and goes into our stomach, it becomes part of us. It affects us – empowering, enabling, delighting or disgusting us. But there can be no impact apart from direct experience.
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Be skeptical of the ordinary, embrace the improbable, and realize that there is likely no overall meaning or significance to anything. This may be all the human intellect can provide, but it does not satisfy the human heart. We are left feeling a little bit like the turkey fattened for slaughter, wondering if anything we experience matters beyond the moment. »more
Through touch we receive sacraments and by touching others we become sacraments of God to others. The limitation of touch is its greatest strength. In order to physically touch others we must be in their immediate presence. Touch connects us with others - not as abstractions - but as "neighbors" God has placed in our lives. »more
God ordained worship to be full of sweet fragrances and pleasing aromas. True worship was meant to smell good. Those immersed in worship would go away bearing this smell into the world. The scriptures call us to make our lives a fragrant aroma to God. The very name “Christ” carries with it the memory of sacred smell. “Christ” is Greek for “the Anointed One.” »more
Two recent books offer the ultimate “outsiders” perspective of the Christian Church - that of atheists. But how will atheists – who dogmatically reject the existence of any transcendent, supernatural reality – accurately evaluate services intended to celebrate and respond to a transcendent and supernatural reality? »more
In the past few years there has been a rising tide of books advocating the demise of religion and the triumph of secularism. Apparently, this evaluation strikes a chord with a large portion of the American public. However, religion cannot be explained away as a primitive illusion, a social construct, or psychological wish-fulfillment. »more
Sacred words are a means of grace, a sacrament of Christ, a tool of the Spirit. Attentive listening with “ears that hear” is our way to appropriate these words, receive the sacrament, and be shaped by the Spirit. Listening is not passive or non-participatory. It is a spiritual discipline. We do not simply listen; we listen worshipfully! »more
Compassion is at the heart of God’s character, and this compassion is expressed is divine tenderness. We must not only believe this, but also enter into the experience of God’s compassion in our lives. Armed with a heart of tenderness, our every encounter with others becomes a visible sacrament of Jesus’ love for human beings. »more
"Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Why is hearing celebrated in scripture while sight is held in suspicion? What advantages does the word have over the image to the life of faith? These are vital questions in an image-saturated culture that has great difficulty listening to liturgy and preaching, must less reflect on their significance. »more
We cling to a vision of ourselves at the center of the universe and God at the periphery. Corporate worship shatters this illusion, and in the process, spiritually transforms us. Worship invites us to give God the highest place in our hearts – the first place – so everything else can be put in its proper place, in relation to God. »more
“God is light” (1 John 1:5). This powerful metaphor is used throughout the Bible to portray God’s truth, character, and work. Even though all images and metaphors have inherent limitations they are helpful in pointing us to and connecting us with God. The metaphor of light provides a helpful way to understand how Christ’s light shines but remains hidden to some. »more
When the wife says, “Honey, we need to talk,” the husband hears “that he is not meeting her expectations—he’s failing her—which sends him into the pain of his own inadequacy.” His lackluster response causes his wife to feel that he doesn’t care for her needs which plays on her fears of isolation and abandonment. »more
We "live" in Holy Saturday - between Cross and final Resurrection. We experience times when we feel forsaken, when we cry out “Why?” We know the heartbreak of hopelessness, the empty void that seems to stretch forever. And yet, we look forward with hope to the “impossible possibility” – the absolute surprise of grace that is resurrection. »more
Harvard professor Owen Gingerich believes “that the universe has been created with intention and purpose, and that this belief does not interfere with the scientific enterprise." His book provides a helpful and much-needed reflection on the limitations, interaction, and integration of both science and faith – physics and metaphysics. »more
To know God is know beauty; to know beauty is to know God. Just as God is the source of all truth and goodness, God is also the source of all beauty. God is the Supreme Artist – the Creator of all. Thus, everything that is beautiful reflects God’s artistry. Indeed, God is Beauty itself. If this is true, why does beauty play such a limited role in our spiritual experience? »more
Sight practically monopolizes our senses. However, sight is not always reliable. Appearances can be deceiving. Our eyes are tricked by optical illusions. Because of its limitations, “we walk by faith and not by sight.” In spite of its incessant desire to rule our lives, we must put sight into its proper place. »more
Humility is not so much a virtue as it is an attitude of heart that underlies all Christian virtues. It is humility that keeps us from distorting Christianity into dry intellectualism or mere moralism. The goal of Christian spirituality is love, not self-actualization. Humility allows us to see people as God sees them - and love them as God loves them! »more
God desires that we live coram deo - in the presence of God. Though we hide from God's presence, God continues to pursue us. If this is true, what do we make of passages like Isaiah 45:15 - "Truly, you are a God who hides himself." What exactly is the "hiddenness" of God? What reasons could God have in hiding? My new book wrestles with these questions. »more
Contrary to my initial wishes, the goal of Christian spirituality is not to be a brain percolating in a boiling vat of nutrients. The goal is to be a human being fully alive – all thoughts, affections, and senses experienced as channels of the divine. Our senses can be gateways instead of obstacles to God’s Spirit. »more
For the sake of public perception, Christians are good at recounting stories about answered prayer. But we are not so good at sharing our disappointments. Yet, we must make some sense of unanswered prayer. Why? “It’s precisely because we believe so passionately in the power of prayer that we must also make sense of unanswered prayer.” »more
This is a compilation of summaries from the National Pastor's Convention 2007. It includes notes from sessions on innovation, prayer, spiritual transformation, solitude, the church in the 21st century, the emerging church, worship, pastoral ministry, spiritual disciplines, wisdom from the sages, and the sacramental end of sex, and more! »more
In conservative circles, the story of Jesus turning the water into wine never fails to raise eyebrows. They cannot quite grasp why Jesus would actually keep the party going – especially by bringing more wine… lots of it! You can almost hear their conscience pleading, “Jesus, please turn it back to water before someone gets hurt. Or, even worse… drunk!” »more
Life is good and is meant to be enjoyed. But joy must not be taken lightly: Joy is the serious business of heaven. The Teacher calls us to rejoice while remembering our mortality, life's brevity, and God's judgment. The dark backdrop of our inevitable death underscores the positive opportunities for joy in the present moment. »more
Over the course of a year, certain books leave an indelible mark on me. After mulling through over 100 books I read in 2006, I've highlighted the top ten most influential books. I've also included some "honorable mentions." May something on this list encourage you to satisfy your curiosity by cracking some pages! »more
Our culture of narcissism feeds a spirituality of self-realization in the context of moral relativism. A spirituality with no beliefs to which one must adhere, no particular community to which one need belong, and no demands on one's moral behavior is appealing to narcissistic individuals. Tragically, this is what many people mean when they say, “I am spiritual.” »more
Mary is “an ordinary woman… with an extraordinary vocation (being mother to the Messiah) who learned to follow this Messiah Jesus through the ordinary struggles that humans face.” Scot McKnight argues that Protestants should not fear that focusing on Mary will lead to error, for “the real Mary always leads us to Jesus.” »more
