I am loving the Bible on iPod. I think years ago I would have considered that cheating. Real Bible readers have dog-eared Bibles and leather journals and hand-turned coffee mugs from Nor Cal…or so I thought. But life is far too kinetic for that always. For instance, a few weeks ago I was standing at the crossroads of sickness and going to church. Because I was sick, I slept in. Because I was headed to church, I was scrambling around trying to get ready. But while I was getting ready, I … [Read more...] about Write Them on the Doorposts
Jesus and Possessions
An old pastor once said he loved to preach about tithing because a person’s wallet is tantamount to the heart. How we spend our money says a lot about our priorities and principles, worries and wants. God must be Lord of your wallet. Jesus is our satisfaction. Jesus brings lasting peace and contentment, reconciliation and restoration. When we exchange temporary, earthly treasures for the treasure stores Jesus offers, we testify to his all-sufficiency in our lives and in the process, we make … [Read more...] about Jesus and Possessions
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
Michael Horton has recently described his concern about the rise of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism in the church. His concern is quite valid. Lately, I’ve been thinking about the distinction between preaching behaviorism and preaching Jesus. Behavioral teaching goes like this: "You should not steal, but you steal. So stop stealing, and here are some tips to help you stop" (a.k.a. you can fix yourself). Or, you should not lie, but you lie. So stop lying, and here are some steps to help you stop … [Read more...] about Moralistic Therapeutic Deism
Mind Your Own Business
Christ is in all parts of life, even the mundane activities. Unfortunately, we have lost sight of God’s accessibility in the simple. In the gospels, when John the Baptist says the kingdom of heaven is at hand, he is literally saying it is in our midst. It’s everywhere, all around us and in us. God took all his ‘possessions’ (so to speak) and moved into the world with us. Now his ‘stuff’ is strewn all over the place, just begging to be tripped over We do not need to go off to another … [Read more...] about Mind Your Own Business
Exercise for Theologians
Thielicke’s book, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians, has many big ideas contained in its small pages. As a theologian speaking to other theologians (though I would not consider myself in that category), his words resonate. He warns that theology can indeed be a threat to us. It can actually cause us to sin if we are not careful; we can become prideful and divisive. In seminary, we get our three semesters of Systematic Theology, and we become pedantic and sesquipedalian, with our … [Read more...] about Exercise for Theologians