We sentimentalize baby Jesus' birth. But what if his coming actually suggested important values, approaches, and attitudes for our own Christian mission? What might we learn from how he entered space and time? (This is a 6 minute quick hitter.)
132 Advent (4) Angels, Peace, and Repentance
There were two angel songs to the Shepherds outside Bethlehem. One announced great joy to all people, the other announced peace to all upon whom God's favor rests. The first, we will see, goes toward inclusivity. The second goes toward exclusivity. How should we make sense of these two songs?
131 Advent (3) Joy, Wonder, Shepherds
The Shepherds heard an angel, saw a heavenly angelic host, and they were afraid! Is fear of God healthy? For how long? Moreover, Jesus is a man of wonder. His coming is wondrous! So how can we practice wonder? And why does wonder transcend our intellect? Come, and like human tea-bags let us steep our identities in the peace-filled identity of Christ!
130 Advent (2) Bethlehem and Mary
Advent celebrates Jesus' coming to earth and his incarnation. There are specific themes that spill out of the Bethlehem portion of the story: lowliness, kingship, motherhood, flesh, beauty, prophecy, and just plain old weirdness! Let's go deeper into the Christmas mystery.
129 Advent (1) Prophets and Hope (and Kanye)
Advent celebrates the varied ways that Christ comes to us: past, present, and future. This week of Advent focuses on anticipation and yearning. To unpack that I address the power of symbolism, what it is like to yearn, a weird dream I just had, and prayer. Also spend a few minutes sharing my reflections and concerns about Kanye West's turn to Christ.
128 The Christian Graces (9) Peace, Really?
Is the peace of Christ merely a religious selling point, something to help people choose Christianity? I tell two of my friends' stories to develop the reality that peace can be in the Christian life. But across the Bible peace is even greater than an inward experience. What is that? Also, what is the most overlooked gift in the universe?
127 The Christian Graces (8) Kingdom Work vs. Gospel Work
In the West there are two churches and they are growing apart. Significantly, this has to do with their understanding of work. One side embraces Gospel work, the other side embraces Kingdom work. What characterizes these two kinds of work? What are their goals? How might we address the growing bifurcation of these two emphases?
126 The Christian Graces (7) Transgender Collateral Damage: Waggoner part 2
What are some (unintended?) consequences, some collateral damage, of the transgender movement? Given recent SCOTUS rulings is there hope for the future of freedom? Can God call someone to a vocation that supports his Kingdom even if they are not a pastor or a missionary?
How can the Law actually be God's grace? In part 1 of a 2 part interview I ask Kristen Waggoner, Senior Vice President at Alliance Defending Freedom, questions along that line. How is it loving to use the law to defend one's neighbor? Isn't a use of the law always coercive and thus against Jesus' methods? And, shouldn't Christians just live and let live and not try to bring our faith into the legal arena?
The 16th century Reformation was explosive about the topic of works and salvation. So what should we think and believe and embrace about both work and works today? Do they matter? If so, why? If not, why? I also do some Halloween reflecting!
The Christian worldview is a future-directed way of life. Significantly then that involves hope. But what is hope? How is it different from wishing or generally being positive? How is it that hope can function as a guide or strategy for our lives? Is the Christian hope a disembodied existence in heaven? I also deal with the question, what does it mean to be a successful Christian?
I've never met somebody who relished in uncertainty. Ambiguity is hard on us, sometimes it is hard on our faith. In this episode will I celebrate ambiguity? Nope. But I will point out some of the positive dimensions that the space, distance, and freedom which all come from ambiguity make possible in our lives. I also talk about the olfactory wonders of walking my dog, Bindi!
Belief in truth requires belief in the law of Non-Contradiction. Simply put, A≠B, you are not me, we are not God. There are irrevocable distinctions in reality. What kind of truths involving the law of Non-Contradiction does the Bible teach? Along the way I describe our recent trip to Nashville and demolish some errors being embraced by church folk today.
Truth is transformative but demanding stuff. It confronts us, expects us to follow and obey. Is that why our culture constantly denies truth, explains away its existence, pretends it is not real? In this, the first of a new series, I deal with different challenges to objective truth and consider truth from a Christian perspective. With regard to truth how did, and does, God work in my own life?
Western society's language is infected with leprosy. What caused that? What causes that? How does the philosophy of science play into that? Does all of this make us, as is intended, prettier, happier, and shinier? Or does it make us all more ugly? What is the cure, the solution for our leprosy?
The Common Good in a Christian Worldview: is it just a matter of doing the most good for the most amount of people? Why or why not? How is it that majorities can be their own tyrannies? As a case study in societal formation, why did the Founders establish the Electoral College? Was that really a fair way to do things? What should we learn about the instillation of the Electoral College?
What economic system does the Bible prefer? What is the basis for a flourishing economy? How are economics interwoven with human nature? Which is better, Socialism or Capitalism, and why? How would we make such an evaluation? What can we learn from those who lived under resolutely socialist states? Come and think with me about these important matters.
Whereas the Bible presents multiple ways we might account for and celebrate diversity, Lord Zeitgeist says there's pretty much only one way to account for it: skin color. What are some simple reasoned ways to highlight diversity? And then, I dare to ask, which is more important for the Common Good, diversity or excellence? Come laugh and think with me.
Does the Bible forbid love of nation? Does the Bible forbid love of one's local culture? Is this really about nationalism or is there another agenda at work? In philosophic speak, between what two enormous focal points does the pendulum of history swing? Why? In light of the Common Good how should we think about Nationalism?
Have you ever witnessed social media flaming? Me too. What drives that? Why is it addicting? Why is it like sexual pornography? How is power involved? What is Christian etiquette when it comes to social media posting? How does all of this affect the Common Good?