In my experience, one of the most overlooked distinctions in Scripture is the difference between being clean and being holy. We often assume these categories are interchangeable. The Bible does not. Recovering this distinction does more than clarify Israel’s cultic (religious) system—it sheds fresh light on covenant membership, the role of baptism, and the status … Continue reading Clean Is Not Holy: Covenant Membership, Baptism, and the Formation of God’s People.
Parenting
The Telegraph, Technology, and the Birth of the Therapeutic Age
Why Counseling Became Normal Why is it that therapy feels as normal today as visiting the dentist? It has not always been so. For most of history, people carried their burdens within family, village, and church, and grief was shared through rituals of mourning, prayer, and confession. Today, however, counseling has almost become a cultural … Continue reading The Telegraph, Technology, and the Birth of the Therapeutic Age
Keeping the Fire Alive: Parenting Beyond Camp
"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valley."
How We Raise Children to Break
Parents in America have this remarkable and globally unique ability to remove their children from the grief of much suffering. This is a blessing! But it can also have unintended consequences.
The Way Forward
“What if I have already had sex? What if I have already been looking at porn?” Our answer is usually “repent, and don’t.” I’m not convinced that cuts it.
A New Frontier for Local Missions?
Here is where this all ties together—the missions numbers, church stats, and discussion of influence: should the focus of local missions change?
One remedy for “Deconstructing”
I have never had a student who was on the fringe or too involved in other extracurriculars to be at church, call me to discuss their doubts.
Sweaty Toddlers are Cute—Sweaty Teens Need a Shower.
In its infancy, societal sin is consistently and dangerously underestimated.
A Brief Plea for Sunday School
"As Sunday School is slowly replaced with small groups, this vital element of the Christian "faith-diet" has been phased out. The hour of biblical knowledge growth isn't being replaced with something equal."
Teens Aren’t That Difficult
Welcome to teen culture. Teens are just lizards.
Weston Blaha 