Like Faith Needs a Doubt
Why do we need faith? God could remove doubt with a snap of his fingers.
Can the Bible Be Trusted?
Yes. But maybe that isn't the right question.
A Theology of Foreign Aid
“As a husband, father, I have a biblical obligation to provide for my family, whether that means incurring debt, working multiple jobs, etc., but I don't think I have a biblical obligation to provide for all families at any cost. In the same way… does our government have a biblical mandate to care for the poor around the world, or is that the mandate of the church?”
First World Problems
The balance of the planet.
Immigration
My attempt to organize some thoughts and information around a current issue.
I want to ride my bicycle
At two miles, my office is almost the perfect distance for a bicycle commute.
A Bullet Through the Ear
The early church did not have such problems.
Disagree and Commit
I've heard of churches arguing and dividing over everything from theology to the color of the carpet - but an argument over coffee was a new one for me.
Kicking Out the Romans
Ah, those silly disciples. Always thinking that Jesus' job was to kick out the Romans.
The Classroom or the Gym
Maybe it's from being in academic settings for too long, or maybe it's just because I'm a nerd.
Emptied
My mind is a cluttered place.
Man of Steel
“The man of Metropolis steals our hearts” – Sufjan Stevens
Miracles and Wonders
“If you're here for the market, then it's miracles and wonders you'll be trading.”
“Valiant Vol”
I got a new book. Short. Self-published. It will never be a best seller.
Of Teapots and Transposition
Alice walks into the living room. “Why is the teapot whistling?” she asks. Bob answers, ”Water falling at the hydroelectric plant turns a turbine, which generates electricity…”
New Study
I have a new site and a new Bible study.
College Time
On the last two weeks before sending one's son to college.
Mistborn Evangelion
The nice thing about having a blog is that I'm free to occasionally wander wherever I like, and I've been reading some good books lately, so here we go.
You Have to Surrender
Jeremiah is a weird book.
You Have to Fight
“If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. You have to fight.” Haven't we been doing that?
Bible Stories
Why do we study Bible stories? We touched on recently in looking at the lives of David, Saul, and Solomon, but it's worth a closer look.
Stating the Obvious
At the risk of stating the obvious, Nero was not a nice man.
80 Seconds
50,000 dead.
A Tragedy of Kings
David's life can be viewed as a tragedy. How does he fare compared to the other kings of Israel and Judah?
Black Dress
“Will she wear that dress? Will she wear that black dress? As holy as the night, as holy as I want to feel. I want to feel all right.”
Cyber Damage
I hurt my back last week. By itself, this isn't very interesting. What's more surprising to me is how quickly and easily the injuries happened.
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The Virtue of Strange Service
The British monarchy is a strange institution.
High Priestly Garments and Working Steel
Aaron's robe is (not) a hazmat suit.
A Eulogy for Monoliths
On the destruction of the Georgia Guidestones.
Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
God and Government
It's hard to go online without finding political opinions. Too bad they all disagree with each other.
Psalm 22
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Four Anecdotes
What do a pandemic blog post, a president's pro-life conversion, a billion-dollar energy company, and a possibly kitschy Christian film have in common?
Fractal Fallenness
The mathematics of the Fall.
Peace on Earth
Inappropriate Christmas songs for an inappropriate Christmas season.
Outraged
“I just feel angry all the time. I feel like I'm going to snap. There's so much wrong in society right now.”
Gradually Then Suddenly
How did American culture become less religions? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.
Dayenu
If God had done that for us, and done nothing else — it would have been enough!
For Christ
I like Paul.
“Forgive me, but it's hard to be a human”
Let's talk about Congress. No, not the story you're probably thinking of. Although we'll get to that later.
Anonymous Disciples
Jesus had a lot more than twelve followers.
Advent 2020
“I'm not sure what to use for Christmas cards this year. It really hasn't been a very good year.”
Hope
Last month was hard.
Three Takes on a Parable
On the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Can a Pro-Life Christian Vote Pro-Choice?
How can a Christian who believes in the sanctity of life and that life begins at conception vote for a pro-choice candidate?
Pandemic Rights
I started drafting this a couple of months ago and never got around to finishing it. It's a bit outdated and a bit political, but I still wanted to share it.
The NET Bible
I've been using the New English Translation, or NET Bible, as my version of choice on my YouVersion Bible app for a few years now.
Wayne Grudem, Donald Trump, and Christian Politics
A response to Wayne Grudem, who no doubt has better things to do than to read it.
Blogs Are for Political Opinions
Some (hopefully!) non-partisan thoughts how we ought to approach politics in the first place.
Beatitude
I have a problem when I go to study the Beatitudes. I think, “Yeah, I already know this,” and I start skimming ahead.
Nonnatural Praise
Praise God for the nonnatural world of cities and civilizations.
The Glory of Play
“We have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”
Software Requirements
The pitfalls of being productive at doing the wrong things.
Prayer Will Make the Sick Person Well
We had a healing service at our church this week.
Problem Solving
Much of my job as a software developer consists of solving problems.
Applied Atonement
Good theology should never be merely academic. It should have application; it should affect our lives.
The Theology of the Atonement Part 2
Continued from part 1.
The Theology of the Atonement Part 1
Let's talk theology. In particular, for this Easter season, the theology of the Atonement — why Jesus became a human and was crucified and rose again and how this brings about our salvation.
Hair Loss
I have a mole on my forehead.
Kakure Kirishitan
The real-life story of the persecution of Japanese Christians.
Yet Another Petraeus Commentary
General David Petraeus sinned.
Election Night Musings
It's Tuesday night, and all anyone seems to want to talk about is the election.
Of the Tales of the Otori
I've been reading the “Tales of the Otori,” a series of five historical fantasy novels by Lian Hearn set in an imaginary Japan.
For Example
“Don't look at me if you're looking for perfection. Don't look at me, I will only let you down… Look at Him.”
Good and Bad
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.”
Reasons Why
What motivated the Aurora, Colorado shooter?
Serious Business
The gift of the church.
Pledge Now
Christian radio is an important ministry and worth supporting. If you pledge now, then you'll be entered in a drawing to win a new iPad.
Funerals
I attended two funerals in 2010.