I recently learned that a screenplay has already been written for a new movie on Hudson Taylor! So, I invited the group making the movie to tell you more about it. THE HUDSON TAYLOR MOVIE PROJECT In 2012 in the midst of preparations to celebrate its 150th founding anniversary, OMF received a curious suggestion from a Christian television network: “When would OMF make a film on the life of Hudson Taylor? Why doesn’t OMF produce one?” That suggestion led to... Read more
As the year winds down, we all look forward to the same thing—year-end lists! So, here are twelve posts (in chronological order) that resonated deeply with readers On this site, several articles sparked conversation, contemplation, and sometimes controversy. Let me know if your favorite didn’t make the list or if there’s one that you’d like me to expand on in the coming year. The List of Top Posts In “Affirming Penal Substitution But Not Its Logic,” we delved into the... Read more
Here are 4 ways people pursue status. While each represents a way up or down the social ladder; they’re not all equal in value or function. Read more
It’s nearing NFL playoff time and it’s the Christmas season. So, here’s a topic that brings football and Christianity into conversation. Some people see the NFL’s post-game prayer circles as a simple act of faith. In fact, it has deep historical roots with significant cultural and political implications. What kicked off the tradition? This tradition can be traced back to a 1990 game between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers. The inaugural prayer circle was the brainchild... Read more
This post explores how status affects the church and why discerning these dynamics has profound theological and practical implications. Read more
People in the U.S. Think They Are Better Than They Actually Are. People in Asia Don’t. That’s the title of a fascinating piece by University of Michigan psychologist Shinobu Kitayama. His compelling article reveals an intriguing psychological divergence between Western and East Asian individuals regarding self-perception. Positive Illusions Aren’t Universal The research challenges a long-held belief in psychology that “positive illusions”—the tendency to overestimate one’s abilities—are a universal human trait. Instead, Kitayama argues that this cognitive bias is largely confined... Read more
Status is the hierarchy resulting from how we value (appraise) differences. A fundamental desire, status has personal and social benefits. Read more
It’s that time of year again– the 2023 Annual Conference of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS)! (This year, I’m skipping SBL) I want to let you know about a couple of papers I’m giving at ETS as well as two sessions that might interest you. I’m presenting in each of these sessions, so I’ll attach my abstract at the bottom so you can know what I’ll be talking about. Sessions of Interest Wednesday, November 15th 8:30 AM – 11:40 AM... Read more
Everyone cares about status. To say otherwise means you’re delusional or simply don’t understand status. Unfortunately for many Christians, talking about status is taboo. Read more
Some claim that punishment is the mechanism that secures God’s forgiveness; instead, it is the consequence of God not forgiving sin. Read more
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