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.
Every few months youth pastors get a promotional box in the mail luring them to jump on the bandwagon of the next big Christian movie, book, conference or concert. Marketing madness bombards you with free promotinal posters, t-shirts, devotionals, bookmarks, bumper stickers. Sadly, the Christian entertainment sub-culture often disappoints. I usually don’t bite. I’m the … More MOVIE REVIEW: To Save A Life (2010)
<Envelope Please> “And the winner for the grayest, grimmest, most violent post-apocalyptic thriller of 2010 involving the Bible goes to…..The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington.” <Applause> This movie is not for the light-hearted or weak-stomached. This movie paints a very dark picture of humanity in all it’s unfettered barbarism: rape, dismemberment, pillaging and survival of … More MOVIE REVIEW: The Book of Eli (2010)
Well, God and coffee are not very comparable. But what do you think of this video?
I cannot endorse The Web of Theology (WOT) more enthusiastically. This one-of-a-kind theological self-assessment tool is a must for every thoughtful Christian and over time should become widely used by churches and Christian colleges and seminaries. WOT architect Dan Kent has provided us with the theological equivalent of the StrengthFinders, Myers-Briggs and DISC assessments. It’s … More The Web of Theology: Self-Assessment Tool
Tullian Tchividjianan, grandson of Billy Graham and author of “Unfashionable” has excellent article posted today at Leadership Journal called, “The Everyday Gospel.” Here’s a quote worth chewing on today: I once assumed the gospel was simply what non-Christians must believe in order to be saved, while afterward we advance to deeper theological waters. But I’ve come to … More Deep into the Gospel (Tchividjianan)
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matt 7:7-8) “Look! I stand at the … More Sacred Doors to the Presence of God
One of my articles entitled “Christian Community: The Goal or Starting Point?” was recently published at the Small Group Trader.com. This website is a wonderful resource for Christians and leaders who share Small Group Trader’s passion for “Helping people trade in the pursuit of the American-Dream for a world that desperately needs Christ.” This online resource … More My Article Published at SmallGroupTrader.com
What is the “Big Story” behind all the smaller episodes in the Bible? How does the Old Testament relate to the New Testament? Why does the portrayal of God in the OT (as wrathful, violent, etc.) seem at odds with the NT picture of God revealed to us by Jesus Christ? What ultimate goal do … More What’s the Big Picture? The OT through the lenses of Jesus
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, … More PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 2
So far I have resisted the alluring convenience of the Amazon Kindle. I consider myself a book “purist” and am in love with the feel, look, smell and aesthetic beauty of physical books in my hands and on my book shelves. Part of me says, “I love technological advancement in almost every arena, but please … More The Amazon Kindle
“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” – Opening sentences of Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
In a 2006 issue of the Covenant Companion, a monthly publication of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Bob Smietana interviewed Greg Boyd on the relationship between Christianity and politics. There are few topics that are more central for Christians to come to a firm, Kingdom outlook on. Yet, few topics are more controversial and more hotly … More Greg Boyd Interview: Christian People or a Christian Nation?
Ok, first of all I’m not a TV guy. So, this post will not begin a new trend of television gossip and coverage. I basically watch two things: (1) NBC’s Thursday night comedy lineup featuring “Community”, “Parks & Recreation” and, drum roll and sound the trumpets please, “The Office,” the best show on the air, … More Save Conan, Leno Retire
Scot McKnight’s thought on Haiti: Last night I read this from Randy Harris, God Work – Confessions of a Standup Theologian: One of the things we do as Christians is to try to pay attention to what God might be able to do in the world, especially with the broken places in our lives. These … More Prayers for Haiti
At Jesus Creed, RJS has a great discussion of Tim Keller’s essay “Creation, Evolution and Christian Lay People” exploring the topic of the historical Adam and Eve, evolutionary theory, the trustworthiness of Scripture and the complex relationship between science and the Bible. Keller first addresses whether one needs to take Genesis 1 literally, and second whether … More Tim Keller on Adam & Eve
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, … More PARABLES: Sower, Seed and Soil 1
We recently had a free-for-all Q & A night with our students. In order have a fruitful yet friendly “debate” over hot-button, controversial beliefs such as “Can someone lose their salvation” or “Does God elect certain individuals salvation and not others?” we talked about distinguishing essential beliefs from non-essential beliefs. I used 3 broad categories … More Essentials & Nonessentials in Christian Beliefs
The following post is from one of my favorite blogging friends Michael Spencer, known to most as the Internet Monk. Michael was recently diagnosed with cancer and is beginning that battle now. He wrote this piece only weeks before the diagnosis. Please lift up the iMonk in your prayers and check out his writing ministry … More “There’s Always A Day Before” (by Michael Spencer)
This is an older post that fits this time of year when people are contemplating their plans for the new year. Grace and peace. -JB “Where do you plan to be three to five years from now?” I have been asked this question two or three times in the past couple weeks. For some reason … More My Crystal Ball: Facing the Future in Faith
After braving the 15 below zero weather, fighting people for seats (almost literally), finding clean 3D glasses and smuggling in pop and snacks, we were ready to experience James Cameron’s visually stunning world of Pandora filled with 8 feet tall blue people — or, as someone else put it, “warrior Smurfs.” It’s always nice when … More MOVIE REVIEW: The Religious World of “Avatar” (2009)
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1). It’s a New Year, and I’m tired of … More “True Worship” for the New Year
Few teachers have been more influential in my spiritual journey through college and seminary (and beyond) than Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy. One of the lessons I’m trying to learn from them is not to take myself too seriously. Here’s yet another teaching moment. I’m taking notes. =) Remember Jesus’ words: “A student is not … More My Spiritual Mentors
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry” (Matthew 11:28-30). … More “Yoked” for the New Year (Matt 11:28)
“No sin is worse than the sin of self-pity because it obliterates God and puts self-interest upon the throne.” -Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
Kingdom Harbor 