The Monday After

The longer I am in ministry, the more I appreciate all the work of Kevin Vanhoozer. Almost all issues I have faced at TLI and in pastoral ministry have been issues of hermeneutics, while the people I am talking to think the issues are related to inerrancy. The trouble is constantly   […]

I know many of you have kids in youth sports. I last coached high school basketball in 2009; this year, I have jumped back in as a head coach—and wow, a lot has changed. Four observations: 1) The youth-sports industry feeds on parental anxiety. There's real money to be made from   […]

Jesus said:  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. I've been thinking about forgiveness this week. Forgiveness is hard. It raises countless questions and exceptions. Last week, at   […]

Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43–44) Matthew 5:21–48 includes six "You have heard ... but I say" statements. Notice Jesus doesn't say, "It is   […]

For readers outside the United States, here's why this week felt especially raw. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. That same day in Evergreen, Colorado, a 16-year-old opened fire at a high school, wounding two fellow students   […]

One of the strongest threats within parts of evangelical faith is the subtle but pervasive belief that the church is the Pharisees of the gospels. Suspicion of authority often gets framed like this: The church/leadership/institution = the legalistic Pharisees Me = the authentic disciple who is simply walking with Jesus   […]

This week, let's talk about Pharisees. You can be very close to the truth and still very far from Christ. Only when Scripture humbles us, when truth is joined with love, and when the cross silences our comparisons, do we escape their trap. 1) They quote Scripture—but miss its heart. Jesus   […]

I have decided to try something new and invite you to join. Each Monday, I will be sending out a short email with a reflection from Scripture, a story of what God is doing around the world, and a helpful resource. That's it! Something really simple to start your Monday. A   […]