The Gospel text for the 5th Sunday of Lent is John 12:20-33, when some Greeks show up and say “We want to see Jesus.” It is a fascinating story, with surprising twists and turns, each of which merits meditation. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies…” The moment that always sticks […]
How to Organize Your Faith (Heidelberg Catechism Q24)
Shhh! A whole lot of Christians are quietly afraid that someday, someone will ask them about their faith. We need some outline points, like the pegs on a coat rack. No hooks and you just have a pile of stuff on the floor. Add a row of pegs and you can hang up a whole lot of stuff […]
Here’s the Secret of Where Faith Comes From; Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 65
You’ve probably heard it as often as I have. “You just need more faith!” “Just believe!” “Just let go, and let God!” The subject is faith, and the common theme is the modifier “just,” making it sound really, really simple. Like flip a switch, and suddenly I’ll have strong life-changing faith. But where is that […]
What Christians Believe in 15 Seconds
You are talking with your co-worker from the next cubicle over coffee. She knows you are active in a church. She is in a season of searching. What is Christianity actually all about?” she asks. “I mean, what do you believe?” She really wants to know. You really want to tell her. Three problems: You […]