“Transforming is a classic example of reader-response hermeneutics. This school of thought focuses on a text’s effect on the reader or audience, not on what the inspired authors intended to communicate. For example, Hartke suggests that the physicality of Jesus’s resurrected body legitimizes sex-change surgeries.”   Austen Hartke’s Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of... Continue Reading

His writing aims squarely at the Christian mind but always impacts the heart.  And whenever the mind and heart are inflamed by Christian truth, the hands and feet are quick to follow. Schaeffer’s proposition in this piece is simple.  The culture is getting increasingly more secular and ungodly.  There are two contents and two realities.... Continue Reading

The Heretic… is a film making a clear argument. It seeks to convince us that Bell is the heretic we need, and that Christianity should make more space for Bell’s brand of thought. But The Heretic actually ends up making, quite accidentally, the opposite point. It shows us a tragedy in the making, a man once known... Continue Reading

I appreciate John Owen’s explanation of Hebrews 8:13.  He noted that some 1st Century Christians believed that the Old Covenant was still in force.  Owen then said that the author of Hebrews “knew that this persuasion was destructive to the faith of the gospel, and would, if pertinaciously adhered unto, prove ruinous to their own... Continue Reading

From what I’ve witnessed on social media lately, there’s been less empathy and self-reflection and more defensiveness regarding the sin of racism. This grieves me.  As believers, we should know that the only one with the right to say “I’m superior. I’m better than you” is God. If anyone has the right to be offended... Continue Reading

“Beloved, let us not lose the comfort of the constancy and immutability of Christ’s love. Let us conceive that all the sweet links of salvation are held on God’s part strong, not on ours; the firmness is on God’s part, not on ours. Election is firm on God’s part, not on ours. We choose indeed... Continue Reading

There are more small churches than you may think. According to Barna, “the largest group of American churchgoers attends services in a more intimate context. Almost half (46%) attend a church of 100 or fewer members. More than one-third (37%) attend a midsize church of over 100, but not larger than 499.”   Karl Vaters’... Continue Reading

In fact, in some ways smart phones are like mini slot machines – a purposeful design mechanism to keep people on them.  It’s been proven by studies that smart phones hurt the brain’s ability to focus for long periods of time. I can even tell this is true of me in the last year or... Continue Reading

At a time of profound persecution in Rome, the leader of the nascent Christian community sits in prison, falsely accused by Nero of burning down half of the city. His friend and biographer Luke arrives to see what he can do for Paul and for the Christians hiding for their lives in the city. The Christian... Continue Reading

This book is a collection of stories about a Christian woman who showed hospitality to many people over the years.  You’ll read about drug addicted neighbors, sexual sin, home cooked meals, pets, parents, homeschooling, and much psalm-singing.  Some of the stories are quite fascinating!   Scripture calls disciples of Jesus to be hospitable and to... Continue Reading