In the Old Testament, it was the priests who mediated God’s presence through the rites of divine worship that Moses had received. As music came to be seen as the primary way we experience God’s presence, in the 20th century, worship leaders became a new kind of priesthood to serve the church—and, really, no one... Continue Reading

“It’s time to take this seriously. If we want our children to find love someday and to take pleasure in intimate relationships, then they must not learn about sex from porn videos. And, if governments and regulatory agencies insist on doing little to nothing to age-gate the internet, then the entire responsibility for protection falls... Continue Reading

“Side B” is not compassionate. It is evil because it waters down the cross and calls people to celibacy as the answer to their struggles rather than to the freedom that Christ has called us to. Christ offers so much more than a placating sentiment that says, “That sin is who you are—just don’t do... Continue Reading

“Martin Luther strongly believed that every text of Scripture points to Jesus Christ. He emphasized that the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, should be interpreted through the lens of Christ, understanding that the Old Testament prophets and patriarchs were looking forward to His coming. Luther’s approach to Scripture was centered on the... Continue Reading

Seeing God’s purpose in creating people with disabilities in Exodus 4 and noticing Jesus’s purpose in healing people with disabilities helps provide guardrails for our own thinking about disabilities. They are not accidental or without purpose. They are not a result of our sin or God’s apathy.    Building a Theology of Disability The Bible... Continue Reading

“But preaching is more than teaching – not less, but more! Preaching is essentially teaching plus application (invitation, direction, summons), and where that plus is lacking something less than preaching takes place…Many in our churches have never experienced preaching of the historic evangelical sort at all.”   “The community is wonderful;” “There are so many ways to... Continue Reading

Who is the author of our perseverance? Who is the agent of our fidelity? Who is the effective source of our sanctification? Who ensures our glorification? Well, it is not us. We don’t reach the finish line by our efforts; we don’t muscle our way to glory. It is not our behaviors that make us... Continue Reading

Preaching aims to take the “mysteries of the kingdom” and make them understandable. God wrote the New Testament in Koine Greek to show us the importance of using everyday language to communicate His truth. John Wesley would share his sermons with the servant girls before preaching them to his people. D. L. Moody counsels preachers... Continue Reading

Everyday local church ministry is essential for the health and growth of the body of Christ. What does all of this mean for us today?   I will never forget the day I sat across from a young man in our church and was tempted to say, “Online Pastor [Fill-in-the-Blank] doesn’t love you the way... Continue Reading

I believe that a recovery of the spirituality of the church could allow us to enhance and better live in unity, while our diversities may be properly appreciated and don’t seem to undermine that true unity. So, the spirituality of the Church reminds us that our focus needs to be on evangelism and discipleship and... Continue Reading