Reflections on the loving kindness of the Triune God
I’m reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s little book, Life Together, on Christian community. He promoted reading the Bible as a whole. It’s something worth noting. He wrote that narrow readings—reflecting on just one or two verses—will always have value. It allows believers to discover the depth available in any part of the Bible. But this approach can’t …
Read More Bonhoeffer on Bible ReadingPhilip Sheldrake’s book, Spirituality: A Brief History, is a good read. Yet it raises a question near the end. What do we mean by “spiritual” if we apply the term to a variety of faiths, as he does, including Christianity and various forms of Zen Buddhism and Hinduism? With that question in mind I’ve done …
Read More SpiritualitySomeone recently asked me about Paul’s use of “flesh” in his New Testament letters. It’s a good question. The term sarx—“flesh”—in Paul’s era meant “muscular tissues.” Or, with animals, their “meat.” But Paul clearly had more in mind as he linked human “sinful passions” to “the flesh” (e.g. Ro. 7:5). So that sin engages our …
Read More The FleshI enjoyed a six-week internship at Christianity Today magazine many years ago. The Army paid for it as I returned to civilian life after two years as a draftee. At the same time Richard Nixon was impeached for his role in the Watergate burglary cover-up. Back then the CT offices were just a block from …
Read More Power & LoveLast night I watched the Washington State High School football championship. Our local team won so our crowd was ecstatic: undefeated! Smiles were everywhere. At least on our side of the stadium. Not so much on the other side where their crowd slipped away quietly, many before the game ended. The world is full of …
Read More Encouraged?I’m writing this on Thanksgiving and I’m thankful for a number of blessings. I’m thinking, especially, of the joy that comes with faith. As God’s children we enjoy God’s self-offerings: his Word; his salvation; his Spirit-to-spirit communion; his steady providence; his rich creativity; his love; and his jealousy. Thankful for God’s jealousy? Yes, and please …
Read More Thanksgiving for JealousyOur title is taken from a sermon series in Richard Sibbes’ Works (vol. 4) where “charter” spoke of a set of formal rights. The thought was inspired by a Bible text, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, where Sibbes found a set of benefits for Christians who are “one with Christ” (p.29). Sibbes began with the promise, “all …
Read More A Christian’s CharterWhat do we talk about? About our family? Work? Sports? Politics? Weather? Fishing? Money? Favorite apps? Food? This simple question invites reflection because our words display our hearts. As Jesus said: “For from within, out of the heart of man come [thoughts, words, and deeds]” (Mark 7:21-22). Forgive my brackets. He actually said, “evil thoughts, …
Read More Heart TalkWhat was Adam thinking in Eden when Eve handed him a forbidden fruit? It came from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that God told him to avoid. But he ate it anyway. And here the mystery lies. How did he, a man without any prior moral fault, dismiss God’s words in …
Read More Words and FaithLast night I attended a fundraiser for MarriageTeam, a marriage-coaching ministry. As a lifelong bachelor no one is asking me for marriage advice, but this event was a chance to learn about a resource I can offer to friends. And they’re good. This endorsement comes from what was shared at the event. A couple I’ve …
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