The tragedy of this scenario, of course, is that when the abuse is uncovered, people often refuse to believe it. To allow such a possibility will wreck the tidy world they have built around that spiritual leader. So, the abusive pastor can often provide what seems to be credible “explanations” for everything, while he is... Continue Reading

After reading Kendi and his explicit endorsement of racial discrimination, I’m convinced that anyone heeding his advice will end up being more racist, not less. It would be pastoral malpractice to commend such sources as if Christians should be mining them for all their worth. I’m doing the opposite. I’m warning them and pointing them elsewhere.  ... Continue Reading

When we allow the Bible’s vision of church to inform and transform our expectations, the gains are immeasurable. We begin building a church on grace. We prove to the world that Christ is true, and that he is enough for lasting unity. We demonstrate the breadth and beauty of gospel reconciliation, and we undermine the... Continue Reading

Our Savior’s kindness is not tepid, selfish, or utilitarian. This is demonstrated clearly in the moments of His greatest suffering. Jesus, while bearing the curse for humanity, made arrangements for the care of His mother after His death, prayed for the forgiveness of those who killed Him, and spoke kind words of comfort to the... Continue Reading

Some of the social concerns that our society classifies as justice issues are actually matters of mercy. Caring for the poor and the needy are often matters of mercy in Scripture–rather than civil principles of justice. The context determines the approach. Though the oppression of the poor is a social injustice, the compassionate care of the poor is a... Continue Reading

This Psalm is forward looking. As with many of the Ascent Songs, it is focused on Zion. Not merely as an earthly location, but something that pointed to the greater reality it was designed to represent. It was a tangible replica of the invisible reality of the new order of world to come – presented... Continue Reading

Indistinct and worldly “Christianity” is worthless. Salt that is no longer salty is not “good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matthew 5:13). Roads must part, decisions must be made: Christ or this world? The narrow path leads away from the broad, Lot cannot remain always in Sodom, the... Continue Reading

Some seek wisdom and others seek signs. But we preach Christ crucified. Foolishness. Scandalizing. Where the magnificent gears of religious machinations turn, while the scrolls of philosophy endlessly unfurl, while the cult of spiritual thuggery keeps up its march of bloodshed and tyranny, we sing “Jesus loves me, this is I know. For the Bible... Continue Reading

There is an essential humility that comes in walking with the Lord. It’s the humility born of knowing that we can know the Lord, and yet not know the Lord. And that a claim to fully know and understand the will and ways of God is the height of hubris and presumption. Perhaps the tension of knowing, and yet... Continue Reading

Most preachers get into a deadly theological pit not with a backhoe, but with a spoon, one little scoop at a time. Paul wants his son in the faith to make a habit of ladling grace into his life rather than sin because even small consistent scoops of grace will keep him away from danger.... Continue Reading