Publication Notice

Two of my Daily Illumination movie reviews were published this past week — one at Youthworker.com and another at Jesus Creed.  More of my reviews will be featured at Jesus Creed the next few Friday nights.  I appreciate sharing my writings, but am humored that it’s my movie reviews that are getting the press.  I’m … More Publication Notice

N.T. Wright on How Worldview Shapes our Reading of Scripture

RJS at Jesus Creed brought these two videos to my attention.  Wright discusses our need to approach the Scriptures on their own terms and how our particular worldview and philosophical presuppositions color our understanding of the text.  The first video highlights the Enlightenment’s influence on our views of God, and the second video discusses how … More N.T. Wright on How Worldview Shapes our Reading of Scripture

BOOK REVIEW: Satan and the Problem of Evil by Greg Boyd

In Satan and the Problem of Evil: Constructing a Trinitarian Warfare Theodicy, Greg Boyd attempts to answer the question: “How are we to conceive of an all-powerful God creating beings who to some degree possess the power to thwart his will, and thus against whom he must genuinely battle if he is to accomplish his … More BOOK REVIEW: Satan and the Problem of Evil by Greg Boyd

“A Match Made in Heaven” & WOT at Jesus Creed

My good friends Dan Kent and Neil Berget, the theological mastermind and technological guru behind the creation of the Web of Theology, have graciously invited me in on the advancement and, most importantly, the marketing of this great tool. I am hoping to use my network of pastors, professors and blogging associates to spread the … More “A Match Made in Heaven” & WOT at Jesus Creed

MOVIE REVIEW: To Save A Life (2010)

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)

MOVIE REVIEW: The Book of Eli (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)

The Web of Theology: Self-Assessment Tool

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

Deep into the Gospel (Tchividjianan)

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)

My Article Published at SmallGroupTrader.com

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’s the Big Picture? The OT through the lenses of Jesus

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

The Amazon Kindle

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

QUOTABLES: Richard Foster

“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