Every culture has rituals that seem bizarre to outsiders. Take the White House tradition of pardoning the Thanksgiving Day turkey as just one example of such an American tradition. When we the story of how God made a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15, we scratch our heads. Why are these animals cut in half? […]
Cutting a Covenant Read More »
It’s pretty common today to hear some Christians say “Theology doesn’t matter.” Sometimes this is not said explicitly but in other roundabout ways like, “Faith over reason” or “All that matters is Jesus.” A good follow up question to that statement is “Which Jesus?” Various religious groups have views of Jesus that differ widely and
Does Theology Matter? Read More »
The following is a modified excerpt of a sermon preached by Pastor Josh in January of 2025. At times we erect monuments to remember things we don’t want to forget. We feel that it is so important that we want it etched in stone for everyone to see and remember whenever they pass by. Here
The Only Audience That Matters Read More »
If you are like me, you may come from a tradition that does not celebrate Epiphany or that views many of the Christian feasts with suspicion. In recent years I have come to appreciate the Christian calendar and to see beauty in marking time by the acts of God in history. So what is Epiphany?
This post was originally published at the start of the Advent season in 2022. A few weeks ago was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Our church watched a brief video about Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors, and author of God’s Smuggler. For Americans, this is usually a day when
Bored with God: An Advent Meditation Read More »
Maybe the greatest challenge of the Advent and Christmas season is to keep its true meaning in front of us. What is Advent really about? Why the trees and the presents and the caroling and the parties? Why all the hullabaloo? The word advent means “coming.” What’s coming? Who’s coming? Well, when you come to
