Today, among the ashes we wait. ... Tomorrow we celebrate, For he has risen, And everything is changed.
Author: plstepp
Olson on what “Christian” Means
Roger Olson has been writing recently about claims from different groups and people to be "Christian,", in an attempt to clarify a basic set of beliefs/convictions that one can use to measure the claim. He recently posted an overview of the criteria he proposes. How do we determine if someone (group or individual) is Christian? … Continue reading Olson on what “Christian” Means
Enns on Jesus, the Cross, and Shame
Peter Enns writes about the foolishness of the cross: my only complaint is that his post isn't long enough. If God exists, our thoughts and words will fail us rather quickly, and that the truth of God will necessarily draw us further out to orbits beyond what our feeble minds know, what makes sense to … Continue reading Enns on Jesus, the Cross, and Shame
Maundy Thursday Sermon
Here is the sermon manuscript for my Maundy Thursday sermon. Our worship leader, Kori Rožić, asked me to talk about Jesus our High Priest. And here is the audio, which departs significantly from the manuscript in a few places. The original recipients of Hebrews were Jewish Christians who were tempted by persecution and social pressure … Continue reading Maundy Thursday Sermon
Evangelical Engagement pt 6: Croats, Church Activities, & Church Buildings
I have observed something with Croats, and I wonder three things. FIRST, am I understanding it correctly? SECOND, does this dynamic grow out of the blurring of christendom into Christianity that comes from a strong state church? And THIRD, is this same dynamic at work elsewhere in Europe? My observation is that Croats do not … Continue reading Evangelical Engagement pt 6: Croats, Church Activities, & Church Buildings
Summary: “The Great Value of Churches Under 100”
Dan Reiland, on his excellent blog, writes about “The Great Value of Churches Under 100” in AWA. “God intended ALL churches to grow,” he says, but God is the one who gives numerical growth. Generally, we can influence numerical growth, but we don’t determine it. “It is God’s power, not human ability, that determines the … Continue reading Summary: “The Great Value of Churches Under 100”
Sermon Prep for Maundy Thursday
We're having a "Maundy Thursday" service (Veliki četvrtak, or "Great Thursday", we call it in Croatia) at Kristova Crkva Kušlanova, and I am giving the sermon. Actually, I am planning to give two extended meditations, one before communion and one after. Both will be about 5-7 minutes in English, with a translator. Our worship director … Continue reading Sermon Prep for Maundy Thursday
Polemicists or Pastors?
(Not a great title; sorry.) Greatness from Pete Enns Regarding a conversation with an angry former student, Enns writes: “My own teaching style and theology were not oriented toward training polemicists. I was more interested in exploring the Bible with my students and encouraging them to let the Lord surprise them through a careful and … Continue reading Polemicists or Pastors?
“… Is the Hardest Part”
To quote the great theologian Tom Petty, "The waiting is the hardest part." You hope God is doing something, or maybe you're confident: you KNOW God is doing something. But WHAT? Perhaps I am never still enough often enough long enough to hear God's voice clearly. My normal MO is to pick a direction and … Continue reading “… Is the Hardest Part”
Circleslide 