I often hear people say, “If God is going to bless us, we must believe fervently without any doubts that God will bless us. We must claim our blessing with full assurance that we will get it.” But we don’t see that here, nor do we see that attitude in other places in the Bible. … Continue reading The Anxiety of Prosperity Theology
Month: May 2014
Marriage is More Than Commitment
“Marriage isn’t about your happiness; it’s about your holiness.” “Marriage isn’t primarily about being ‘in love’; it’s about covenant-keeping.” Maybe you’ve heard something similar to those lines in a recent sermon/book/blog post on marriage. I have. In fact, I’ve said those very things in sermons. Yet, I think that it can be possible to push … Continue reading Marriage is More Than Commitment
Come Home: A Theology of Exile and Return
God created Adam and Eve as His imager-bearers in the world (Genesis 1:26-27). They had a relationship with God (they were “sons” of God) and also they had a commission over creation to be servant kings.[1] Although not specifically part of the imago dei, God marked off humanity with sexual complementarity for the basis of … Continue reading Come Home: A Theology of Exile and Return
A Ministry Discussion with Jordan Jones, Pt. 2
This series of posts is based upon an email exchange with my friend who is also a pastor in Northern Kentucky, Jordan Jones. He oversees the youth ministry of his church, while I primarily oversee the Community Groups at mine. To see where God is at work in our churches and lives, we are discussing various … Continue reading A Ministry Discussion with Jordan Jones, Pt. 2
There Is No Other
It must be the case that God stands behind good and evil in somewhat different ways; that is, he stands behind good and evil asymetrically...In other words, if I sin, I cannot possibly do so outside the bounds of God's sovereignty (or the many text already cited have no meaning), but I alone am responsible for … Continue reading There Is No Other
2 Obstacles Which Keep You From God’s Mission (And What To Do About Them)
After Jonah had been in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights, he is very literally propelled outward on God’s mission: "And Yahweh spoke to the fish. And it vomited Jonah onto the dry land" (Jonah 2:10). In essence, God was giving Jonah a second chance, a fresh start. For all of Jonah’s … Continue reading 2 Obstacles Which Keep You From God’s Mission (And What To Do About Them)