Years ago, I was introduced to the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous by a good friend and sober Alcoholic. Having my interest piqued during our frequent conversations, I’ve continued to interact with them, and have become convinced of their value and wisdom for human flourishing in general and Christian discipleship in particular. In this post,… Continue reading 12 spiritual steps – structural overview
final revelation
Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.… Continue reading final revelation
God in spite of Sin
“Your sins have separated you from your God, and they have hidden his face from you so that he will not listen to you.” Isaiah 59:2 There are at least two ways to view this verse. One would be to view God as too pure to be around anyone or anything that is sinful, so… Continue reading God in spite of Sin
political participation
In the first century, around the time of Jesus and the early Christian moment, there were at least ‘parties’ representing four types of Jewish response to the occupying presence and rule of the Roman empire. Zealots, Essenes, Sadducees and Pharisees. Zealots and Violent Resistance The Zealots were an expression of angry resistance to Roman rule.… Continue reading political participation
towards better help
In this world, Jesus said, you will have trouble. 2020 has seen its’ fair share of it. Jesus assures us that we can take heart in his act of overcoming the world, but his followers are still enlisted as kingdom-bringers, as much of heaven on earth as possible. Trouble and problems. We humans get stuck… Continue reading towards better help
through locked doors
One of the most emotionally difficult parts of the life of faith is when those you love don’t seem to have faith. For some, it could be a suspicion that the faith they claim to have isn’t authentic (Can someone who does ‘x’ really be a believer?). For others, it could be a lack of… Continue reading through locked doors
holistic christianity
From my understanding of Scripture, I can discern at least the following seven levels of Christian life. They signal – and invite us into – a rich, holistic way of life. A way of life that seems to apply at all times and in all places. After seven short statements sketching these seven levels, I… Continue reading holistic christianity
varieties of slavery
It is known that slavery has taken various forms at different times and places in human history. Some person-to-person relationships bearing the name ‘slavery’ is more akin to employment, whilst other forms of relating (not always called ‘slavery’) are more comparable with torture. Given the limited helpfulness of using a single word to gather up… Continue reading varieties of slavery
lonely but not alone
Singing of Christ’s burial between death and resurrection, the worship song sings: The entrance sealed by heavy stone; Messiah still and all alone. “O Praise the Name (Anastasis)” by Hillsong Worship The theologian protests, “No! Even as the incarnate Son unfathomably embraced fully and completely the reality of human death, the Father and the Spirit… Continue reading lonely but not alone
together
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things… Continue reading together