When I read classical Reformed theology, some parts grate on my ears. These challenging bits teach me about myself: they show me where my assumptions about life, the world, even faith, are influenced by the culture I’m steeped in. I too need to learn “Christianity” as a second language. This definitely happens at Question 12 of the […]
Archives for July 2014
Please help me brainstorm a book title!
I’m in the early stages of writing a new little book, and I’d love your help in brainstorming a title. My aim is to help readers build a positive working relationship with the Bible — a key element of fluency in basic Christianity. Every Christian needs it for confident and effective discipleship. 1. It assumes […]
Finding a Life-Giving Approach to the Bible (part 1)
If you want to understand your faith, whether to live it with confidence or to share it with others, you need to have a solid working knowledge of the Bible. The problem for a lot of Christians, though, is that we don’t know where to start. Actually a lot of us don’t want to start. Some […]
A Better Way to Think About Heaven, via St. Gregory of Nyssa
Christians in our culture have a pretty odd default view of life after death. We call it “heaven” and tell the world they ought to make sure they get to go there, but we portray it as frankly boring. You know the schtick: sitting forever on a cloud holding a harp you don’t know how to play. […]
How Can We Make Sense of God’s “Wrath”? A Parable
Once there was, and once there was not, an artist. He was good — very good. He painted beautiful scenes and portraits. He had some wit and whimsy about him: Always, whether at the center or somewhere hidden, his paintings included the faces of those he loved. His wife and children. Or his dog. His […]