The Open Secret by Lesslie Newbign (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1995) is quite possible the best book on the theology of mission I have ever read. I have always been impressed with Newbigin since being introduced to him through his seminal work The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society. Newbign was a Scottish missionary and Bishop in India, a lecturer and author on culture and missiology, and an active proponent of the ecumenical movement. I can’t recommend highly enough his voice in... Read more

Today’s post comes from Sumit Sen, a pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church. I think this article brings up a lot of great points and would love to hear your thoughts on it. When one reads Mark 11:12-17 it may seem that the Lord Jesus woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He curses a fig tree when Mark clearly says in verse thirteen that it was not the season for the tree to bear figs, and then He... Read more

I ran into this quote by Saint Theophan a few weeks ago,I liked it quite a bit so I reformatted it a bit. let me know what you think. There are thoughts, desires and passions that come in the form of ambushes and short-lived upsets,  and there are constant ones that go on for days, months and years.  The first are easy, but should not be disdained. However, we must watch out not only for them but for their order. The... Read more

Here in Chicago James Chukwuma Okoye has been teaching at Catholic Theological Union since the late 1990s. James has been looking deeply at how the Scriptures interact with culture in every way we see the world. One thing I have been really impressed with was his paper that discusses how to make the Eucharist truly african in it’s liturgy. Check it out! I recently had the privilege of reading his 2006 book Israel and the Nations (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books) in... Read more

Every week I post a quote from the church fathers, and try to ask a question about it that connects it to the church in the 21st century. However I have never really explained who the church fathers are. I thought this video might help bring some light to who these men (and women) actually were. It’s by Jimmy Akin, a popular Catholic apologist. Read more

Today the Church in the west celebrates one of the feasts of the Church year: All Saints day. This is a special day where we remember all the Christians through all time both past and present. It has been celebrated decisively in the West on November First since the early Eight Century, although there was certainly other days where all the saints were remembered before that. In the East the saints are collectively commemorated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. There... Read more

My family has recently been reading through the Gospel of Matthew as part of our evening prayer using one of my favorite prayer resources the Treasury of Daily Prayer. At the same time I have also been reading through Deuteronomy. As I read both of these books in tandem I noticed that they have a huge amount of parallels. The Gospel of Matthew is a book that screams the Old Testament. There is almost no story that doesn’t have some... Read more

Jonah and the Worm (Nappanee, Indiana: Evangel Press,1983) has been called one of the greatest works of missiology ever written by some,  and one of the finest examples of Christian fiction by others, and it happens to be a children’s book. It was written by Jill Briscoe, a speaker and author who is involved with “the Telling the Truth” radio programs. In this book Briscoe seems to be trying to communicate that if you follow God you never know where exactly you... Read more

“By the Hand of Nicholas Papas” Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, is best known as being the woman who was raised from the dead by Peter the Apostle. She was remembered this week on October 25th by the Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church (LCMS) but interestingly not by the Roman Catholic Church. I am curious to what the connection is since it’s rare that the Lutherans have a date similar to the Orthodox but not the Catholics. If anyone... Read more

Today’s post comes from sassy Lutheran theo-blogger Tim Steele. If you don’t know Tim check out his blog Prodigal Son where he comments on hermeneutics, patristics, and all things Christ. Enjoy! All Hallow’s Eve- better known as Halloween- is the feast day before All Saints (Nov 1), within the Western tradition. Seeing as it is that season, I believe it is appropriate to discuss what the Communion of Saints is, and how this relates to the life of the Christian. “Credo... Read more