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."
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.
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."
Reclaim Gravitas
The things we laugh with will become the things we love.
Youth Ministry “Monsters Under the Bed”
Here's the thing about monsters under the bed: we don't like to talk about them. We prefer to turn off the light, run to the bed, and pull the covers over our eyes. But, if you are ever going to rid yourself of the monsters, you need to clear what's under the bed.
Weston Blaha 