MOVIE REVIEW: To Save A Life (2010)

January 28, 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)

January 27, 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

January 25, 2010

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)

January 23, 2010

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

January 21, 2010

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

January 20, 2010

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

January 18, 2010

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

January 16, 2010

“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

Greg Boyd Interview: Christian People or a Christian Nation?

January 16, 2010

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?

Prayers for Haiti

January 14, 2010

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

Tim Keller on Adam & Eve

January 14, 2010

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

Essentials & Nonessentials in Christian Beliefs

January 12, 2010

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

“There’s Always A Day Before” (by Michael Spencer)

January 10, 2010

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)

MOVIE REVIEW: The Religious World of “Avatar” (2009)

January 8, 2010

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)

My Spiritual Mentors

January 5, 2010

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