Jesus commands us to reach out into the world with the gospel.  "Go and make disciples of all nations" certainly includes making disciples in our neighborhoods and workplaces. People claiming to belong to Jesus cannot retreat from the world.  He commands us to engage with the world as we find it, knowing that it might … Continue reading Witness in Exile 1

There are places that I love: Zagreb, Kentucky, New Mexico.  If I had to pick a place that I think is closest to heaven, it would be Istria or Jackson WY. But for me, the word "home" always evokes central and north Texas.  Dallas in particular, but really anything from Austin north to the Oklahoma … Continue reading Home

If I could pick three books that every serious Christian would read and own for repeated reference, they would be: N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope. Can't we please leave behind all the Left Behind garbage?  That isn't what Paul, Peter, John, Jesus, etc., meant.  What is the Christian's true hope?  How do we live it … Continue reading Three Books

There's an interesting text in Matthew 18: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be … Continue reading Forgiveness and “Two or Three Witnesses”

Olson writes about the difference between conservative & post-conservative evangelicalism: As I observed evangelical theology and theologians over the years I discovered a deep divide between two types and two groups identified with each type. One type and the theologians associated with it believe that the constructive task of theology is finished—forever. The only tasks … Continue reading Post-Conservative Evangelcalism

This is a "how my mind has changed" post, I guess. I have always supported the death penalty uneasily. I grew up in Oklahoma and New Mexico during the 1970's.  My formative years were the years of Helter Skelter, Watergate, Son of Sam, John Wayne Gacy.  The world I saw on my television was corrupted … Continue reading Capital Punishment

Great article at Christianity Today: "How Can So Many Pastors Be Godly and Dysfunctional at the Same Time?" As you read the article, think about it in terms of triumphalism, thinking that God is a math problem (x + y = z, solve for blessings).  Excessive exultation over your success or achievements.  Thinking that a … Continue reading Triumphalism & Dysfunction

A fourth problem we have with forgiveness is that we don't understand how to set boundaries.  There are people who are toxic to us or to others, for a variety of reasons. Forgiveness does NOT = letting that person back into your life in the same way that they were before. Forgiveness does NOT = … Continue reading Difficulties with Forgiveness 4