Photo: canva Part 1: The kingdom of God Imagine a group of skilled craftsmen building a house without any plans. Highly skilled carpenters randomly cutting, sanding, and then putting pieces of wood together with no idea or goal as to what they are making. Electricians, plumbers, and other skilled workers doing the same. Unfortunately, this is often what the church is like. Skilled workers using their skills for what they believe is the glory of God. They may even feel... Read more
In my previous posts on the purpose of the Christian life I have argued that the people of God are called to be God’s image bearers, that is, we are called to make God known. In the final post of this series of blogs I wish to expand upon that thought. I must note that I think this is essential for the people of God to grasp! Before we jump into politics and the many plethora of social issues and... Read more
I have been asking in this series of blogs, “what is the purpose of the Christian life?” To this point, I have been suggesting that it is to imitate and fulfill the mission of Jesus. In the last few posts I have been arguing that the coming of Jesus was in fulfillment of all that the OT promised. In particular, Jesus fulfilled the mission of the OT people of God to make God known.I have noted that one... Read more
Just over a year ago I wrote an article titled, “Donald Trump is no saint” (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/evangelicalpulpit/2018/10/donald-trump-is-no-saint-rob-dalrymple/). The article was in response to a letter sent to me. The premise of the letter was that since God has used “very flawed” persons throughout the Bible, perhaps, he could use such today (i.e., Trump). I responded by noting that “very flawed” was not a proper designation for Noah, Moses, and Paul (some of the persons the letter characterized as used by... Read more
What is the purpose of the Christian life? I have been asking in this series of blogs, “what is the purpose of the Christian life?” To this point, I have been suggesting that it is to imitate and fulfill the mission of Jesus. In the last few posts I have been arguing that the coming of Jesus was in fulfillment of all that the OT promised. In particular, Jesus fulfilled the mission of the OT people of God... Read more
I have been asking in this series of blogs, “what is the purpose of the Christian life?” To this point, I have been suggesting that it is to imitate and fulfill the mission of Jesus. In the last post I argued that the coming of Jesus was in fulfillment of all that the OT promised. In order to understand the mission of God’s people, however, we need to go deeper for a bit. God dwells among us The God of... Read more
My response to the piece by Mark Galli https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december-web-only/trump-should-be-removed-from-office.html My initial reaction as I read the article by Mark Galli was surprise. And in this I must admit that I was saddened. I was saddened, not because I agreed or disagreed with his piece, but because I knew the visceral reaction that it would create. I just wish the Christian community were able to be more open-minded and to receive pieces like this for what they are: the honest opinions... Read more
I have been asking in this series of blogs, “what is the purpose of the Christian life?” To this point, I have been suggesting that it is to imitate and fulfill the mission of Jesus. In the last post I argued that the coming of Jesus was in fulfillment of all that the OT promised. In order to understand the mission of God’s people, however, we need to go deeper for a bit. God dwells among us The God of... Read more
Are “pro-life” evangelicals inconsistent in their ethic? The answer to question is, “yes.” We all are inconsistent in our ethic to some extent. What I intend to suggest is that “pro-life” evangelicals are, often unwittingly, radically inconsistent. Let me say at the outset that I am a “pro-life” evangelical. I often cringe when I hear my fellow evangelicals proclaim that they are voting for the “pro-life” candidate. I cringe because this seems to mean that they are voting for... Read more
In my last post I asked the question: what is the purpose of the Christian life? I suggested that the purpose of the Christian life and the call of God’s people is to carry forth the work of Christ. In order, then, for us to understand our mission as the people of God, we must understand the mission of Jesus. The Mission of Jesus One way to comprehend the mission of Jesus is to recognize that in addition to His... Read more
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