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John Versus the Pharisees
In Matthew 3, there’s an unusual detail provided about the prophet John the Baptist, and I can’t help but wonder what we’re supposed to take from it. Matthew 3:4 – NET Now John wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. Most of the passage focuses on John’s message and then the baptism of Jesus, so what are we to make of this one verse that points out his clothing and diet? I think the author includes this detail to contrast with what his First Century… Continue reading
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Desensitization to Prejudice
When I was growing up, I received warning after warning that video games, movies, rock music, comic books, etc. would desensitize me to real world sex and violence. At the same time, many of the individuals who issued those warnings were desensitizing themselves and me to things like prejudice and hate. Unintentionally Raised to be Racist I think the first prejudicial messaging I received came from two sources — Reagan’s racist imaginings of the “welfare queen” and warnings to avoid riding my bike to *that* side of town. They seem unrelated, but they both have roots in the same thing.… Continue reading
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1 Peter and Christian Mistreatment
Radically Christian: How Christians Respond to Mistreatment: What I Noticed When I Read 1 Peter The vast majority of this book deals with how Christians should respond when they suffer mistreatment. Modern readers, especially those in the United States, seem to have a very difficult time taking these commands seriously. We try to insert our own caveats, creating excuses for why we shouldn’t have to obey the instructions Peter gives to his audience. There are no caveats. There is no nuance. No matter what sort of mistreatment a Christian is suffering, Peter tells them to respond the way Jesus responded,… Continue reading
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Fasting Out Loud
Kitchen of Half-Baked Thoughts: We’re Fasting Today Today we’re having a time of prayer and fasting as a congregation. Gasp! He broke the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rule about fasting! Isn’t it about time we got over that? Yes, Jesus said not to tell anyone when you are fasting. He also, in the same chapter and the same context, told us to only pray in a closet. Ever seen that commandment violated? To be honest, I’ve rarely seen that one followed! Have you ever let your left hand know what your right hand was doing when you were giving? Did… Continue reading
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Observing Religious Holidays
Radically Christian: Is It Wrong to Celebrate Religious Days Like Christmas and Easter? I have to admit, Brother McAdams has changed my mind on a couple of things with this article. It’s well worth a read. Some might say, “But aren’t we supposed to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday and not just one Sunday a year?” I would agree with that. I believe we have rightly inferred from Scripture and history that early Christians met on Sundays because Jesus was raised on Sunday. However, an annual celebration of Jesus’ resurrection no more negates the weekly celebration any more… Continue reading
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Discernment & Hope
Borrowed Light: What if The Foundation of Discernment is Hope and Not Suspicion? This post really has me thinking. I’m talking about foundations here. Starting points. I’m convinced that we’ve gotten this wrong and because of it the gift of discernment has now become synonymous with the “gift” of being a jerk. True discernment will spot error. And it’ll call error out. But that’s not the intention of the search. Think of it this way. Hope-fueled discernment is like a guy with a metal detector out in a field because he has heard reports of a buried treasure. He’s profoundly… Continue reading
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Who We Are Instead
Wineskins: Who We Are Instead Let us remember that the Church is the alternative to all the political divisiveness and partisan politics. It is above the fray of mudslinging. Christ gives His Church a distinct role to shine our light and point to Jesus. The Church speaks to earthly powers, not for them. We speak for God. God’s power and God’s Word are the final authority and therefore, are superior to anything or anyone. Instead, may we remember who we are instead: Christians. We are the bedraggled underdogs of the world in which God has given the Kingdom to. We are… Continue reading
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Idolizing Personal Liberty
The word liberty comes with a lot of baggage in our United States culture. We view our national history through the lens of liberty. We define our sense of freedom by our secular liberties. And few things cause us to get more vocal than times we feel our liberties are being stifled. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” “Live free or die!” To many of us, liberty is the single most valuable concern. Unfortunately, we sometimes value liberty to the point that it becomes an idol. Think about Galatian 5:13–15: For you were called to be free, brothers and… Continue reading
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What Philemon Taught Me About Romans 13
Romans 13:1–7 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword… Continue reading
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Link: America’s Crisis of Contempt
Washington Post: America’s Crisis of Contempt Arthur Brooks had some excellent comments at the National Prayer Breakfast. I’ve never been a fan of this particular event, but I do believe his remarks offer some needed encouragement to remember that we are all souls in need of Christ and that we are more than our political differences. I give about 150 speeches a year and talk to all kinds of audiences: conservative, progressive, believers, atheists and everything in between. I was speaking one afternoon some years ago to a large group of politically conservative activists. Arriving early to the event, I… Continue reading
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