"Forgiveness of Sins": From Individual to Communal
Daily Lectionary Texts for Wednesday, October 30, 2024: Psalm 119:17-24; Jeremiah 33:1-11; Matthew 20:29-34
When we hear the phrase "forgiveness of sins" in church, what typically comes to mind? For many Western Christians, we immediately think of individual wrongdoing—the lies we've told,
Sacred Disorientation: When Losing Your Way Leads to Growth
October 29, 2024 Daily Lectionary Texts
Psalm 119:17-24; 2 Kings 6:8-23; Acts 9:32-35
We often think of spiritual growth as a steady upward climb - each step building naturally on the last. But what if some of our most profound moments of transformation come through disorientation? When
The Devil's Long Resume: A Historical-Theological Analysis of Satan from Divine Prosecutor to Cosmic Adversary
This is my sermon on Satan at The Table Church on Sunday, October 27. You can watch and listen to it here.
Introduction: From Barn Exorcisms to Systematic Theology
The question of evil's personification has haunted religious thought for millennia. My own encounters with supposed demonic forces—including
You can vote for Democrats and be a Christian at the same time
I just want to say that you can vote for Democrats and be a Christian at the same time.
In fact, I'm a Christian who:
* Reads and studies my Bible daily
* Prays and has daily quiet time
* Hears God's voice
* Believes the Apostles' and Nicene
Was Universal Reconciliation Condemned as Heresy?
Many Christians today believe that universal reconciliation - the doctrine that all people will eventually be restored to right relationship with God - was condemned as heresy by the early church. This is a common misconception that deserves closer examination.
Understanding Apokatastasis
Apokatastasis is the Greek term for universal reconciliation
Melchizedek: The Bible's Most Mysterious Priest
You might have encountered this enigmatic figure in your Bible reading - Melchizedek, who appears seemingly out of nowhere in Genesis 14, gets a brief mention in Psalms, and then becomes surprisingly central to the argument in Hebrews 5-8. But who exactly is this mysterious priest-king, and why does he
Leadership Without Fear: Lessons from Samuel and Jesus
In today's Daily Lectionary texts, there's a fascinating parallel between two biblical scenes that teach us about leadership, fear, and what it means to truly care for others.
In 1 Samuel 12, we find the Israelites in a moment of panic. They've just asked
Hebrews 6: Rethinking Salvation and Repentance
Let's talk about a passage that's caused a lot of anxiety for many Christians over the years: Hebrews 6:4-6. You know, the one that talks about it being "impossible to restore again to repentance" those who've fallen away? Yeah, that one.
