Rather than a road map to the last days or a cryptic code to unlock, the Book of Revelation is a powerful manual for “theopolitical discipleship.” Revelation is a practical guide for how to live as faithful representatives of Jesus’ upside down kingdom in the midst of worldly systems and powers. … More Book of Revelation: Theopolitical Discipleship (5-Part Video Overview)
Jonnie Goodmanson is a Christian teacher, preacher and Holy Yoga guru at our church. She is a powerful voice leading people into a more whole-bodied life of worship. People get set free when she opens her mouth or puts pen to paper. I hope to share more of her thoughts in the future. By Jonnie … More Rebuking the Ghost (Jonnie Goodmanson)
Sometimes God calms the storm, but other times the ship goes down. We need to represent Christ in either case. … More Shipwrecked 1: Hymenaeus and Alexander
“A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land of the so-called free. The prophets prophesy lies…and my people love it this way.” … More A Horrible & Shocking Thing Has Happened
On this Super Tuesday, remember to not let your civic duty eclipse your ultimate allegiance. Go vote at the poll, but save your worship for the pew. … More Decline of Church, Increase of Politics
I was alone at the church this Wednesday, preparing a large table for our second “Agape” gathering — a new monthly celebration of the Eucharist. I found my soul anxious and my spirit restless. I was physically tired, but mostly suffering from fear of disappointing others and myself. Whenever I put my hands to some … More Justifying My Existence
“The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.” -Ghandi “Have a safe trip!” we say as they drive out of the driveway. “Safe travels!” we say as we drop them off at the airport. “HAVE A SAFE SUMMER,” the school sign reads as kids leave for summer break. Such commonplace … More Don’t Let Fear Win
There are two major building projects undertaken in the story of Scripture — they both continue today. In our study of 1 Peter we discover that each believer is called to be a part of God’s “spiritual temple” He is building. In the OT era, God’s healing, forgiving presence dwelled in the physical temple in Jerusalem. People … More A Tale of Two Buildings (1 Peter 2:4-11)
The Book of Wisdom and Romans remind us that the awesome power of idolatry is found above all in its ability to shape the structures of society so that they suppress the possibility of perceiving the world in any way other than idolatrously. It is idolatry when much of the world is constructed on the … More QUOTABLES: The Subtle Power of Societal Idolatry
“Mountain God” is a series of reflections I shared on a youth adventure trip climbing in the Rocky Mountains in 2009. “It’s not I who has caused trouble in Israel,” said Elijah, “but you and your government—you’ve dumped God’s ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals. Here’s what I want … More Mountain God 6: Facing Idols (1 Kings 18)
This week our study in Romans (“The God Report”) takes us to what one pastor titled his sermon “The Dark Exchange.” Paul addresses the pagan metropolis of ancient Rome with the following critique — which is relevant today as 2,000 years ago: “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave … More Mark Driscoll, Nightline & American Idolatry
“Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be … More PHILIPPIANS 25: Basketball and Dog Dung (3:8-9)
The previous post sought to show how the biblical narrative paints an ideal picture of human flourishing which echoes the same longings the Neo-Tribalist philosophy emphasize. The point: So far, Christians can find much common ground with the aims of neo-tribalism. Today, however, I want to highlight where the biblical story diverges from the neo-tribalist … More Neo-Tribalism & the Tower of Babel – Part 3
Jeremy L. Berg 