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.
Parents
The Prodigal Son and Calvinism: Not A Foil, but A Friend (Part 2)
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)
Keeping the Fire Alive: Parenting Beyond Camp
"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valley."
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?
Winnowing Isn’t Winning
There are steps that we could and should take when we see the withering and wilting shoots of "exvangelicalism" littering the landscape of Christendom.
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 