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Something the Puritans Got Right christianity growth

Imagine a family with two parents with college degrees. They both have jobs that require continued education each year. They want to make sure their kids grow up to be well-educated too. That's why they take an active role in their schooling and discuss the latest ideas they are learning together as...

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We Need Less Certain People christianity

Let's play a little game.

Do you think there are a lot of McDonald's in the United States?

Or how about Starbucks? Do you think there are a lot of Starbucks locations in the United States? 

Now, here's a slightly trickier one: Do you think there are a lot of churches in the United States?

While ...

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The Problem with a "Biblical Worldview" bible christianity

I remember growing up in the church and constantly hearing about a "Biblical worldview." This was in contrast to any other way of viewing the world. Obviously, the good Christians had this elusive Biblical worldview, and their own selfish values and sin hindered everyone else's view.

There's just o...

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Two Responses to Bullsh*t christianity perspective

The author Anthony Warner (lovingly known as the Angry Chef) wrote that "The energy required to refute bullshit is many times the energy required to produce it." The older I get, the more I realize the validity of this observation. 

It's been heartbreaking to watch the way most Americans (especiall...

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Don’t Choose Issues; Choose People christianity theology

So much of Christianity, at least in America, is about trying to arrive at the 'right beliefs' about God. Once we deem ourselves to be at that place, we hold onto those beliefs with white knuckles and fight off anyone who may threaten them. It's a bit depressing how often a spiritual conversation tu...

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Everyone Who Grows, Changes bible christianity growth

Wm. Paul Young (author of The Shack) wrote the foreword to Brian Zahnd's book, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God. In it he makes a profound argument.

"If transformation is by the renewal of the mind and I have never changed my mind, then be assured I am actively resisting the work of the Holy ...

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Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies christianity reading

In the most recent episode of my podcast (Cabernet and Pray), I sat down with Dr. David Gushee. Dr. Gushee is the author, co-author, or editor of twenty-eight books (one of which was a textbook for an ethics class I took for my Master's degree). In the podcast episode, we dove into his recently r...

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Extra Mile Mentality bible christianity preaching

Last weekend I preached on a difficult passage from the Sermon on the Mount. While we often assume Jesus agrees with our views on most of our ideas, passages like Matthew 5:38-42 show us that we often don't agree with Jesus. 

Essentially, this is where Jesus tells us that when others take advant...

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The Embrace of an Ending christianity perspective

We're often slow to let things go. Each changing of the seasons reminds us that life is about endings and beginnings. But we can be reluctant when it comes to practicing this ourselves.

A person might stay in a soul-draining job for way too long because it pays the bills. Dating couples often stay ...

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On the Edge of the Inside bible christianity theology

Recently I had someone pass on an article from the author Richard Rohr that absolutely got my mind spinning. In it, he coined the phrase "The edge of the inside." The document was only two pages long but it gave words to something deep inside my soul. So I did the only logical thing for a communi...

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