Recent Posts
Cobelligerents Make Bad Friends
Apparently Jesus once said something along the lines of: ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’ Well, no, he didn’t. But the power of co-belligerence is as undeniable as...
Theology and Pastoral Ministry
In an excellent and timely article, Gerald Hiestand addresses the unhelpful bifurcation of theological scholarship and pastoral ministry. Hiestand warns that the result of this split is theological atrophy in...
Amid Modern Pressures, Remember Paul's Priorities for Pastoral Ministry
In his Call to Spiritual Reformation, D. A. Carson lists a few modern pressures faced by pastors. He says:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus, but You Can Have Others
I’m not sure how many churches sing it today, but Joseph Schriven’s poem—set to music by Charles Crozat Converse—is still widely recognised. Even though you’ve never heard of either of...
Fridays With Fred: Pitiful Christians
Juxtaposed with what I’ve called Friedrich Nietzsche’s catechism, he asks: “What is more harmful than any vice?” (The Anti-Christ, §2). Most of us can think of a few ways to...
Most Biblical Narratives Don't Have a Main Point
Ifemelu is sitting in a salon, having extensions braided into her hair when another customer notices that she’s is reading. The other customer innocently asks: what’s the book about? Annoyed—mostly...
Why 'Great' Preaching Can Make Ungodly Listeners
Earlier this year I posted an article reflecting on my own ministry training and church experience. Though these are both limited and anecdotal, I identified a “dangerous assumption” among Christians...
Jesus Weeping at Lazarus' Tomb Isn't Remarkable—It's Human
If it’s allowed, I think John’s Gospel is my favourite of the four. Though many literary characteristics and peculiar stories distinguish John from the Synoptics, what draws me to it...
