I’m repeatedly reminded (and deeply saddened by) how little some people understand about forgiveness. Despite the need to grasp, receive, and extend this vital virtue into our lives, the human capacity to withhold it and the seemingly vigorous need to maintain a grudge is beyond tenacious. At almost every turn and certainly every day I…
The Darker Side of Anger
Regular readers expect that most of my posts here are thicker in theology or philosophy (or I’ve fooled them into thinking so), but there are times when I do have “pastoral” thoughts or practical moments. These times don’t happen often, so I wanted to capture them when they do occur. What follows is advice I…
Kingdom, Hope and the End of the World
Kingdom, Hope and the End of the World: The ‘Now’ and ‘Not Yet’ of Eschatology is a concise introduction to a subject that continues to intrigue the Christian world, namely, “end times.” Ian Paul has done the Church a tremendous service in this offering and everyone would do well to have several copies on hand…
Paul Copan’s “Little Book” – Some Reflections
When I saw Paul Copan in November, 2016, at the Evangelical Theological Society’s annual conference, I mentioned that I picked up his newly published A Little Book for New Philosophers. He kindly invited me to write a review. There are so many valuable insights throughout that I decided to post just a few here and…
Spiritual Formation & the Christian Life
Being transformed by God’s grace into the image of God’s Son is the destiny of God’s people. But what does God say about the journey? On the one hand Scripture encourages all believers to rest in the hope that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion,” yet every…
Make It a Double!?
Make It a Double! podcast is hosted by my good friend, Mike Stojic. He asked me to join him one afternoon for some discussion around alcohol and the Bible. Can religion and alcohol mix? What does the Bible say? Was Jesus really a drunkard? Give it a listen.
“Questing, not just Requesting”
Only curmudgeons castigate a Christmas culture filled with commercialization. No one likes to hear it. We much prefer a Hallmark Christmas with idyllic settings singing “Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer.” Even so, if we’re brutally honest our deepest desires linger and most often remain unsatisfied. Enter Ben Witherington, who offers a poignant and…