Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins sold more than 65 million copies from their 16-volume Left Behind series. Seven of their titles reached #1 on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly’s bestseller list. And, in October of 2014, there’s a movie coming out based on the series starring Nicholas Cage. “No other book of the New […]
Faith & Theology
Ten Reasons to Read the Bible, Even if You’re Not Religious
The Bible is by far the most widely and prolifically published book in all of history, making it the most accessible book in the western world. It’s also arguably one of the most controversial books ever published—like people being burned at the stake, controversial! That’s why I’m often surprised at how many people have never read this […]
Eleven Pastors That Encourage Me
Recently, I wrote a post titled 10 Pastor’s I’m Concerned About. It definitely touched a nerve. I wouldn’t say it went viral, but it made a few laps around the blogosphere to say the least. One of the questions that surfaced repeatedly in the comments was what I thought a pastor should be like—one I […]
On the Meaning of Sola Scriptura
In the cult classic, The Princess Bride, Vizzini, at various times of disappointment, spurts out “Inconceivable!” Finally, Inigo Montoya confronts him, curiously: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Perhaps you’ve felt like Inigo Montoya after hearing someone throw out Sola Scriptura like it’s an ace […]
The Problem with Theology
Theology and its close cousin, doctrine, have raised havoc in the church for more than 2,000 years. These antagonists have severed relationships between friends and families, have been catalysts for countless wars throughout history, and will indubitably be the primer for more conflict in the future. You would think enough is enough! There are many who […]
When Reason Sleeps
The following is a free-form terza rima in iambic heptameter reflecting on and synthesizing Dante’s Inferno. First, the poet begs the pardon of the reader to bear with his attempt at poetry. Then he follows Dante and Virgil to the second level of Hell where they meet the famous Francesca and Paolo, lovers killed by Francesca’s […]
7 Reasons You Should Reconsider the Resurrection
You may not know this, but the bodily resurrection of Jesus seemed like “an idle tale” to the early disciples. And it still does to many people today. Some of these early disciples didn’t believe the women who confessed they had seen Jesus alive. And why should they. Except for a small portion of Jews, most […]
10 Pastors I’m Concerned About
It’s not a secret the church has been in decline for a number of years and for a variety of reasons. You can read some statistics and views on why, here and here and here. Everyone has their opinions. Abuse, apostasy, and irrelevance are just a few of the words that keep coming up in […]
Reconciling the Alternative
I staggered to a shallow place where I gained my footing. Holding onto my raft, I stared downstream, then scoped the surrounding landscape. I could hear my heartbeat over the rushing water and contemplated throwing up. Convinced we had drifted into a theological and philosophical current that was sweeping us up into a deceptive river […]
Should Christians Observe Lent?
Although I first came to faith in Christ in a non-denominational church, my Christian training was primarily in a Baptist context. Today, I don’t consider myself Baptist (at least not in the same way most contemporary Baptists do). However, I’m thankful for the influence I received at that time and wouldn’t change my experience for […]