This post is a continuation of thought from a previous post "The Prodigal Son: It's Not About You (Or Me)--Part 1." In Part 1, we explored how the parable of the prodigal son is not just a generic salvation story but a covenant drama. The prodigal represents Israel’s “tax collectors and sinners” (Jews) returning to … Continue reading The Prodigal Son and Calvinism: Not A Foil, but A Friend (Part 2)
Theology
The Prodigal Son: It’s Not About You (Or Me)—Part 1
This is Part 1 of a 3-part blog mini-series. When most Christians hear the parable of the prodigal son, they hear a salvation story. A sinner “runs away from God,” squanders his life, hits rock bottom, and finally comes home. The father runs to meet him, embraces him, and restores him. It’s a moving picture … Continue reading The Prodigal Son: It’s Not About You (Or Me)—Part 1
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
Sabbath As Rebellion
Ponder this overlooked theological truth: When we stop, we resist.
Jericho Fell, The Temple Fell: God’s Plan for the Nations
Jericho fell so the Seed of promise might be sown. The Temple fell so that Christ’s harvest might be won.
Why Is Saul Naked in 1 Samuel 19?
If we want to know why Saul is naked in 1 Samuel 19, we have to first figure out why Jonathan is naked in 1 Samuel 18.
Why David Feared Losing the Spirit (and Why You Don’t Have To)
Most of us know Psalm 51 as David’s heartfelt prayer after his sin with Bathsheba. It’s the psalm we turn to when we need to confess, when we feel the weight of our sin, when we cry out for God’s mercy. But one little line in the psalm often puzzles people: “Cast me not away … Continue reading Why David Feared Losing the Spirit (and Why You Don’t Have To)
The Sheep, the Goats, and the “Least of These”: Reading Matthew 25 in Context
This is not a call for humanitarianism.
The American Eyes Are Tunnel Visioned
Where is the urgency for the actual body of Christ?
When the Kingdom Came in Power: Filling in the Gaps of Mark 8:38-9:1
In Sunday’s sermon, we explored the sobering and triumphant declaration of Jesus in Mark 8:38–9:1. There, Jesus calls His followers to costly discipleship, warns of judgment, and makes a striking promise: that some standing there would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God come with power. That closing line (9:1) is one … Continue reading When the Kingdom Came in Power: Filling in the Gaps of Mark 8:38-9:1