The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Berg is the founding and lead pastor of MainStreet Covenant Church in Minnetonka Beach, MN, where he has served since 2010. He is an adjunct professor of Biblical and Theological Studies who has taught classes at Bethel University, University of Northwestern—St. Paul, North Central University, Crown College, and Solid Rock Discipleship School. Jeremy earned a doctorate in New Testament Context under Scot McKnight at Northern Seminary (Chicago). He and his wife, Kjerstin, have three kids, Peter, Isaak and Abigail.
Well, if the Bible is correct and today’s Judgment Day prediction is also correct, then we have to conclude that the thief comes with quite a bit more fanfare and warning than I had ever imagined — at 6 p.m. sharp. “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come … More What Manner of Thief is This?
A good reminder from Mike Glenn: A recent article in the Tennessean showed that less than half of the families in Middle Tennessee were headed by the traditional father and mother. While there are a lot of factors that have brought us to this new reality, one of those factors is the increasing numbers of … More ‘Til Death Do Us Part (by Mike Glenn)
Here are Ben Witherington’s top ten reasons why you should pay exactly no attention to Mr. Harold Camping and his false predictions about the May 21 Rapture: No. 10— Every such prediction since the time of Christ has had an 100% failure rate! That should have put a stop to theological weather forecasting, but alas, … More 10 Reasons to Not Go Camping on May 21 (Witherington)
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as … More QUOTABLES: No Ordinary People (C.S. Lewis)
God loves reluctant leaders and, even better, he loves reluctant leaders who know they are frightened, confused, and broken. In fact, he seems to have a special fondness for rebels and fools. Does God choose troubled leaders because few other people are foolish enough to say yes, or does he choose weak, troubled people because … More QUOTABLES: Dan Allender & the Reluctant Leader
What do you think of Greg’s challenge today? In what is hands-down the most amazing prayer ever recorded, Jesus prayed to his Father that his disciples “may be one…just as you are in me and I am in you” so that “the world may believe that you sent me” (Jn.17:21). In other words, Jesus … More The “Heresy” of Failing to Love (by Greg Boyd)
I was pointed to a fascinating fictitious interview between John Wesley and John Calvin and a more modern Wesleyan moderated (and written by) Professor Keith Drury. This is a helpful way to understand the differences between these two schools of theology. Enjoy! Keith Drury: I’m delighted to have all three of you together to discuss your points … More A Conversation with Calvin & Wesley
From Relevant Magazine, March 14-16, 2011 1. Are you in danger of neglecting evangelism in your passion for social justice? 2. Are you in danger of abandoning an affirmation of moral and intellectual truth? 3. Will you honor your marriage vows? 4. As you seek to respect the dignity of gay/lesbian people, have you wrestled … More Ron Sider’s Open Letter to Young Christians
Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed is my first stop for a thoroughly Jesus-shaped perspective on all things. Here’s his thoughts on the death of a bin Laden. There are a number of places to begin and ideas to consider. But I have to begin with this. Jesus said, “Put your sword back in its place,” … More Scot McKnight on the Death of Bin Laden
I’ve taken many biblical leadership inventories and spiritual gift assessments. Each seem to define the biblical gifts/ ministry offices differently. I enjoyed these definitions from Alan Hirsch’s Forgotten Ways website at http://www.theforgottenways.org. A good book, too. If you are involved in ministry, which of these best describes you? APOSTLES extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” … More Five-Fold Apostolic Ministry
I found myself torn in my own reaction to the death of Bin Laden — wrestling with two Bible verses most of the past few days: Romans 13 and Matt 5:44. Romans 13 speaks of the government’s God-given role in bringing justice by use of ‘the sword.’ Thus, as an American citizen I was celebrating … More A Christian Response to the Death of Bin Laden (J. Merritt)
Repentance has a bad reputation these days. The word evokes images of judgment and angry preachers. Yet, biblically, this “turning” away from our sin and back toward God, results in something the Bible calls “times of refreshing.” Now, that sounds like something we all should welcome into our lives. “Repent, then, and turn to God, … More Times of Refreshing…Follow Repentance
A recent Christianity Today article made me cry. It’s called “The Pastor’s Speech: How ‘The King’s Speech’ Resonates with this Stuttering Preacher” Why was I so deeply moved by the film The King’s Speech? Yes, I cried during that, too. (And I’m not easily brought to tears at movies — unless its a kids movie … More The Stuttering Preacher
I came across this college assignment from when I was probably 19 years old. I had only recently recommitted my life to Christ and was only beginning the lifelong journey of true discipleship. My path took me through an early stage of zeal and coarse judgmentalism — a season I’m not proud of. I was … More A Personal Epistle
“Whenever a people are bound together in loyalty to a story that includes something as strange as the Sermon on the Mount, we are put at odds with the world.” – From Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony by Hauerwas & Willimon
“Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books. All contemporary writers share to some extent the contemporary outlook – even … More Timeless Wisdom from C.S. Lewis
Rob Bell spoke these words over 3 years ago. Very relevant to the current “Love Wins” controversy.
Scot McKnight is starting a new, and significant, discussion at Jesus Creed today called “The End of Evangelicalism.” I think this is an important discussion to have, and he begins by asking two key questions. Enjoy. Many today are predicting the (even imminent) collapse of evangelicalism. Others, like Brad Wright, show that evangelicalism is flourshing, … More Who decides who is evangelical?
“In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church move to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became and institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America, where … More QUOTABLES: On Consumer Christianity
I’m reposting this always timely topic. This post was also featured at Jesus Creed last year HERE. We love to throw around the notion of career “calling” and “vocation,” both in the context of Christian ministry and secular career. I believe we’ve becomesloppy in our concept and understanding of “calling.” What we do agree on is … More Discerning God’s Call
Kingdom Harbor 