And the distinction between “freedom through autonomy” versus “freedom in Jesus”. In a recent seminary discussion, a few classmates described what might be called a Libertarian Lifestyle Ideal: minimal reliance on the state, no taxes, limited technology, an off-grid vision of self-sufficiency. I was genuinely grateful for their sincerity and their desire for simplicity andContinueContinue reading “Libertas or is it Autonomy?”
Tag Archives: bible
The Rise of Therapeutic Christianity
Sometimes my mind drifts into the uncomfortable places—the ones most people avoid because they raise questions that disrupt the mood and challenge the assumptions in the room. I used to think this made me overly critical or pessimistic. But lately I’ve been wondering: What if these thoughts aren’t flaws? What if they’re invitations? Invitations toContinueContinue reading “The Rise of Therapeutic Christianity”
Who am I?
October 5, 2025 This question has grown more important to me in recent years. John Calvin (1509–1564) was a highly influential French theologian, pastor, and reformer during the Protestant Reformation. For much of my life, I’ve wrestled with the Calvinist idea of Total Depravity—the claim that we are born corrupt and incapable of good on our own. ItContinueContinue reading “Who am I?”
Who is God?
Using an Exercise from the book: Escaping the Matrix If I had done the Escaping the Matrix exercise of picturing God two years ago, my mind would have formed an image — because I’m a visual person. And that image would have looked something like this: A stern, sometimes angry old man. Scary, hard toContinueContinue reading “Who is God?”
David and Donald: Flawed Leaders, Different Hearts
Lately, King David—the second king of Israel in the 10th century BC—keeps surfacing in my world. This weekend I’ll see the Sight and Sound production of David in Branson, MO. Over the past few years, I’ve spent time in the Hebrew Bible, trying to understand its literature and what it means for God’s kingdom. David’sContinueContinue reading “David and Donald: Flawed Leaders, Different Hearts”
2025 – Big Chill
What is the most important thing to know in life? We’re excited to gather for “Big Chill” again this summer! Each year we have a time of “devotion” – usually Sunday morning, but the time is flexible. And, as always, participation is optional. This year, our devotion time will focus on one big question: WhatContinueContinue reading “2025 – Big Chill”
The Journey to my Core Beliefs
Not to the center of the earth What Do I Believe? Over the past three years, my beliefs have undergone a profound transformation. Working within a “Christian” organization, I often found myself unsettled by the disconnect between what was professed there and what resonated with my core spiritual convictions. At its heart, my faith hasContinueContinue reading “The Journey to my Core Beliefs”
A Few Words on Salvation – Happy Easter! Is it? Part 2
Part 2 part 2 of 5+ Are you saved? If so, from what? Or to what? What does “being saved” mean? “Saving” is an interesting term we Christians use to describe what happens to us in our relationship with God. But there are widely varying ideas amongst Christians about the word “saved” – we’ll exploreContinueContinue reading “A Few Words on Salvation – Happy Easter! Is it? Part 2”
Happy Easter! Is it? pt.1
For much of my adult life, Easter has been a celebration. But over the last number of years the celebration has been muted. Why Easter Feels Different to Me Easter is supposed to be pure joy—full of proclamations like “Christ is Risen!” and “Jesus Saves!” Yet over the years, I’ve found the day more complex…ContinueContinue reading “Happy Easter! Is it? pt.1”
What if…Christmas?
The story of the coming of the Messiah and the reasons why.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
https://practicaltheologytoday.com/2024/09/19/where-the-right-and-left-agree/ “The bottom line is that conservatives and liberals are united, the left wing embraces the right, Pilate and Herod becomes friends, and the one proposition that unites them is that Jesus is impractical.” People tried to press Jesus into their civic and political agendas and he would not allow it. In their mind, JesusContinueContinue reading “Can’t We All Just Get Along?”
In the Beginning
Using study of the Bible to Discern Big Chill 2024 Genesis 1 and 2 Background Our aspirations for this devotion and how we come together around the text Communal – texts from the Bible are intended to be spoken, together. Meditative – texts are intended to make us think – the literature is not writtenContinueContinue reading “In the Beginning”
SeePhas 