Underground Hip Hop
Thoughts and musings on hip hop culture.Stephen Motyer’s Biblical Theology on Maranatha
Growing up in a church environment that made use of "end times charts," I've not always found books on the second coming of Jesus all that helpful. Far too many authors have too little understanding of the biblical authors' worldview and spend most of their time...
Reading Scripture with the Blessed Trinity
Throughout my theological training, I've always loved studying hermeneutics, the "art and science of biblical interpretation." One reason I've really enjoyed this topic is because as I've taken numerous graduate level courses, both in seminary and in a graduate...
“Dwelling in the Land,” a review
As one of my recent reviews reveals, there are many resources available for Christians interested in having a better understanding of what Scripture says regarding homosexuality, engaging homosexuals, and how the Church should respond to questions about issues related...
“Critical Conversations,” by Tom Gilson (a blog tour review)
In a fast changing world that is still in a "sexual revolution," many Christian parents have expressed to me a great deal of concern and frustration, especially in regards to how they should go about addressing the various subjects with their children. Quite...
Three Complex(!) Reasons Why I *Think* Dual-Baptism *Might* Work
Throughout the 2,000 year history of the Church, the subject of baptism has produced a wide variety of approaches. It is essentially impossible to suggest that the Church has a monolithic approach to the topic because history proves otherwise. And while baptismal...
The Spirit’s Mission of Sharing God’s Love via Healing
So this morning I came upon an interesting quote by Craig L. Blomberg, a New Testament professor at Denver Seminary: Miraculous healings can and do occur today. They are perhaps most prevalent in areas into which the kingdom of God is advancing for the first time, or...
Risk & Reward: The Journey of Following Jesus
In Galatians 5:25, the Apostle Paul writes that we are to "walk by the Spirit." The New Living Translation states we are to "follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Commenting on the Greek word stoicheō, which our English bible's translate as "walk,"...
The Vocation of the Spirit: What’s your job?
Perhaps the finest book on the Holy Spirit, apart from what we read in Scripture, is Clark Pinnock's Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit. I consistently find myself recommending it to people in my church, at conferences, and pretty much anywhere else I go....
Come Holy Spirit, empower the Church for God’s Mission!
As a follower of Jesus serving the Lord as a pastor-theologian, I have come to love the intersection between the Spirit, the Church, and the Missio Dei. Wrapped up in the divine plan of the Trinity we find that the Father sent the Son who sent the Spirit who sends us...
Creating a Welcoming Culture for the Sake of New Guests
One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible powerfully articulates the profound beauty of the gospel and how that message should impact the way we relationally live our lives with those around us. Paul writes: "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed...
