I want to share some reflections on 20 years of ministry in my hometown. I have told the story of launching the Revolution teen ministry in Mound many times, but I have never mentioned the book that I led teenagers through that laid a foundation for that ministry and lit a spark for the brand of Jesus-shaped Christianity I have pursued and taught over the past 20 years. … More 20 Years: The Irresistible Revolution
This nature reflection discusses the dangers of living a life of spiritual drift, likening it to driftwood tossed by waves. It emphasizes the importance of having purpose and direction in life through faith in Christ and the Church. The analogy highlights community strength versus individual aimlessness in navigating life’s challenges. … More Driftwood
The election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and getting to hear the pope speak into our politically idolatrous Christian landscape in plain English, is going to be revealing. I dare say “apocalyptic” in the literal sense of deeply revealing. He’s not going to line up on Team Blue or Team Red. He will speak for Team Jesus, and be labelled Woke for following the historic social teachings of the Catholic church. … More A Woke Pope?
The discipleship journey, explored here in Jeremy’s exposition of Luke 24:13-35, emphasizes companionship, compassionate listening, and the cruciform life. Jesus walks alongside disciples, fostering spiritual maturity through shared experiences and conversations. Ultimately, true discipleship leads to recognizing Christ’s presence, partaking in communion, and joyfully sharing the transformative gospel with others. … More Discipleship on the Emmaus Road
This sober undressing of some of the hidden realities behind our nation may offend, and if it rattles our bones to see this earthly nation critiqued by the Bible, that might indicate we have made it an idol. Revelation is an ‘apocalypse,’ and that word means to pull back the curtain on the uglier realities that prefer to stay hidden behind the shiny surface. Revelation is an invitation to political resistance, not End Times speculation. … More Babylon in America
Revelation is not a key to unlock some future prophecy timeline; it’s a key to understanding our current times, unmasking true allegiances and calling Christians to follow the Way of the Lamb while resisting the ways of Babylon. Today, my teacher, Scot McKnight, posted chapter 5 of his timely book, “Revelation for the Rest of Us”, on his Substack. Read. If. You. Dare. … More Unmasking Babylon
As long as I can remember, I’ve always been quietly breaking things—breaking customs, breaking gender roles, and, one day, breaking an alabaster jar. History remembers me sitting quietly at the Jesus of feet, but a first-century woman taking the posture of a male disciple was a loud and revolutionary act in my day. A quiet person is not always a compliant person. A gentle spirit is not necessarily a tame spirit. … More The Alabaster Jar
Many people today attend church without joining, citing reasons like family heritage or a transient lifestyle. Despite the lack of biblical emphasis on formal membership, belonging to a church community, or “tribe,” provides essential support during life’s challenges and fosters mutual care and responsibility. … More The Meaning of Membership
A friend seeks advice on how to navigate a relationship with someone whose politics deeply alarm them. His answer warns against falling into two different (opposite) “ditches” – the ditch of fusion with erroneous political ideas and the ditch of “cutting off” relationship with people you have deep disagreements with. … More Response to a Friend’s Political Question
I belong to a multiethnic body of believers called the Church of Jesus Christ. I was baptized into this new family, and I don’t get to choose and select who my siblings in Christ are. The waters of baptism are more binding than the blood running through my veins and any artificial national borders. “When one part of the body hurts, we (should) all hurt” (1 Cor. 12:26-27). … More A Word On Immigration
Beth Felker Jones discusses the challenge Christians face in the U.S. amidst current political turmoil. It paraphrases the Barmen Declaration to emphasize the need for the church to uphold its identity in Christ against nationalism and false doctrines. It calls for unity, faithful leadership, and a rejection of ideologies that compromise the gospel. … More Jesus, Not Nationalism
You might have expected public celebrations of the birth by crowds of enthusiastic well-wishers; messages of goodwill from kings, queens and emperors, movers and shakers; religious leaders, political power-brokers, and wealthy benefactors. What you got was a child-killing death squad sent at the command of a vicious despot, and refugee status in a foreign land. Why this way? … More Why this Way?
As much as I despised these inner voices and nagging feelings, I also found strange comfort in their familiarity. I could hardly imagine life without them running amuck and filling my soul’s courtyard with 24/7 parties of gloom. I figured it was better to feel something “living” inside my soul, than to feel nothing at all. So I embraced an inner life full of brooding thoughts, bubbling resentment, and emotional turmoil. … More Elizabeth’s Inner Tenants
The Third Sunday of Advent Here’s my 1st-person imaginative monologue of Joseph and his blue-collar faith. I’m not sure why you have included me in this series on contemplative spirituality. Contemplatives are typically thought to be monks and nuns found in monasteries, men and women who have left ordinary life to pursue a life of … More Joseph: Blue-Collar Contemplative
“The obviously well kept secret of the “ordinary” is that it is made to be a receptacle of the divine, a place where the life of God flows.” These words from Dallas Willard get to the heart of my meditation this coming Sunday as I get into the character of Mary in our “Contemplative Christmas” series. I am delighted … More Receptacles of the Divine
Here I sit on another Thanksgiving week, trying to put into words what God has been doing among us and through us as this past year. Once again, I humble myself and admit my utter dependence God and his people to raise a modest salary to continue this ministry. I don’t like it, but humility is a Christian virtue and crucifying one’s ego a worthy spiritual practice. … More Giving Thanks!
Tony Campolo came into my life twenty years ago and I am forever grateful for his voice that has called generations of Evangelicals to lean into the Red Letters of Jesus instead of opting for partisan politics. This past week I rediscovered him, picking his book off my shelf to prepare for a class only to hear that he died yesterday at age 89. Here’s a tribute. … More Tony Campolo: Red Letter Evangelical Dies
An Open Letter from evangelical leaders emphasizes that most American evangelicals possess nuanced views on immigration, supporting neither open borders nor mass deportation. They advocate for the dignity of all individuals, the need for secure borders, and the preservation of family unity, urging political candidates to reflect these values in their policies. … More Open Letter: Evangelical Views on Immigration
I just left the ballot box and have officially exercised my democratic right and privilege in the 2024 election. As a follower and representative of Jesus, I wish His Kingdom values and the fruit of the Spirit were on the ballot with little ovals to fill in. But they are not. Or are they? … More Character on the Ballot
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a hero of mine, on my Mt. Rushmore of Christian influences. His legacy is being hijacked and twisted for political purposes. The Bonhoeffer family has recently spoken up and sent a letter signed by 86 family members to Eric Metaxas saying: “We are horrified to see how the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is…being distorted and misused…” … More Bonhoeffer’s Family Confronts Eric Metaxas
I’m playing a lot of music these days – funerals, fundraisers, senior homes, and picking in the basement. Sometimes I hit record and perhaps I’ll share them here on Saturday mornings. Here’s a first take, rough cut (partial) cover of one of my favorite political songs in these days of confused allegiances. Feel free to skip my singing and just read the lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “The Kingdom of Jesus”
Pastor Mike Glenn emphasizes the challenges of navigating political discourse within churches during an intense election year. He urges believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above politics, reminding them they represent Christ as ambassadors. Ultimately, Glenn argues that the Kingdom of God transcends earthly elections and calls for faithful Christian engagement in societal leadership. … More Pastors and Politics
I want to commend to you the “Evangelical Confession 2024” as a helpful guide for Christians this election season. It emphasizes allegiance to Jesus over political ideologies while encouraging love, truth, unity, and recognition of every individual’s worth. It outlines Biblical principles that reject fear, division, and manipulation in political discourse, aiming to position the Church as a prophetic witness of God’s reconciliation and love in a divisive world. … More Evangelical Confession 2024
A family I know and love was rattled recently to get a note from someone they considered a longtime friend suggesting that the family was going to hell. The cause for the impending brimstone was not that the family denied the faith, embraced some heresy, or adopted some unrepentant life of immorality. At issue was that the family did not support a presidential candidate.
… More To Hell With the Election (by Russell Moore)
In this 4th of July episode of Theology in the Raw podcast (which was recorded on May 1st), Preston Sprinkle talks with Shane Claiborne about the conflict in Israel-Palestine, student protests on U.S. university campuses, and various things related to patriotism, nationalism, and the gospel. Good food for thought for Christians trying to keep their allegiances straight. … More Should Christians be Patriotic?
Jeremy Berg 