The word of God is often spoken of analogically in the scriptures. It is undergoes a typification with a bouquet of images as powerful as they are varied. It is seen as a sword, gold, honey, and countless others. It is out of this tradition that N.T. Wright draws many of his illustrations in the book The Last Word. In this work Tom lays out a careful unpacking of a very loaded term used to describe scripture: authoritative. In his... Read more

Some would argue Saint Augustine was the most important theologian in the history of the Church. His writings and teaching have earned him the title Doctor Gratiae in the Roman Church. One of his main contributions is his understanding of Baptism. Baptism had always been seen as something central to the Christian faith. It was seen as a way a person is born into the family of God. It was a sacrament in which a person entered fully into the... Read more

My friend Charlie always talks about a tension he feels when he approaches the subject of God. He says there are two ways to go about it, and he never knows which one to take. On the one hand you can approach God from an intellectual approach. God can read about, and metaphysically evaluated. A person can interact with the philosophy of God, the history of Religion, analyze Sacred literature, or any number of countless intellectual pursuits surrounding this person... Read more

I was recently asked “How are Christians dealing with the resurrection not appearing in the Bible recently published online as the worlds oldest bible?”I thought you might be interested in my answer: I take it you are talking about the “codex sinaiticus” The resurrection does appear in all four gospels… However there is a part of mark that is “missing” this really isn’t news. Most modern bibles note that some manuscripts don’t include the end. The codex itself is something... Read more

Another form of preaching is called “Transformative Preaching.” In this kind of preaching the focus is on Changing the hearts of the listeners. Ed Carey sets out “Seven Principles” to achieve the transformation in the heart of a hearer.I have paraphrased them below for you… What do you think? Transformative Preaching must…1) Transform the the pulpit before it can transform the pew2) Begin with soaking in prayer so the Word of God leads the communicator not vise versa3) Communicate effectively... Read more

Jim Pouillon, a pro-life activist was killed today in Owosso, Michigan. He was shot this morning while protesting in front on the High School while students an parrents were coming into school. I’m not sure how to respond to this. My first reaction was shock, they anger, now I’m just very sad. Killing is wrong always, but killing someone who is fighting to save lives breaks my heart in 12 directions. I know many of you are not Pro-Life, but... Read more

I don’t care what you think about it. You should watch the speech Obama gave on health care. Brian McLaren Weighs in: http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/on-the-health-care-speech-last-n.html Scot McKnight has some things to say:http://blog.beliefnet.com/jesuscreed/2009/09/health-care-speech-your-though.html Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy Read more

I wrote a song this week for my Greek class. It deals with the Eight Noun Rules in William D. Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar What do you think? Here are the lyrics! The first rule of nouns deals with stuff that connects With the Alpha or Eta you’re in the First Set An omicron’s second and the thirds consonants. The First Rule The second rule deals with the neuter ending place It’s the same in the nominative and... Read more

One form of preaching that has captivated the American Religious Landscape for the entire history of this country is what some might call “invitational preaching.” In this school of preaching the speaker’s aim is to convert the listener. Conversion in this form of preaching is not always aimed at Non-Christians, but can also be catalyst to conform a believer’s life and heart more to the message or The Gospel. It can be seen in the preaching of John Wesley, George... Read more

The story is as old as time. From Cane and Able, to the Sicarii and the Zelots in Ancient Israel. It’s a story that has been told and retold through the lives of such men as John Brown, Michael Collins, and Che Guevara. On April 20th 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered their high school near Littleton, Colorado and started shooting. The incident left fifteen dead including the shooters. The Columbine shooting was in a very real sense my... Read more