Killing vs. Counteracting Sin: Meditation and Other Practices

Last updated on: October 24, 2018 at 12:48 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

We’re in a series on a specific type of sin in our day and age – acedia.[1] It has been confused with laziness, apathy, or even despair. However Early Church Fathers like John Cassian call it The Noonday Demon, and for good cause. It’s like a fatigue of the soul, usually from busywork and distractions. That’s why we’re highly susceptible to it today. Do we kill it like other sins, or counteract it? Cassian suggests counteracting it with spiritual practices. We’ll... Read more

On the Mystery of Spirit and Salvation

Last updated on: October 18, 2018 at 3:26 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

I tentatively continue on the makeup of man, from some previous seminary research.[1] Ancient Israel and the Hebrew Bible seems to teach that we are not a sum total of parts, but rather a whole. The Ancient Greeks develop somewhat of a dichotomy between the material and the spiritual, at least among the Aristotelians and Gnostics. We know that in our day, there is still at least one major proponent of dualism, Tony Bennett. No one can sing “Body and... Read more

The Deadly Sin of Acedia

Last updated on: October 16, 2020 at 12:07 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

Scripture and leaders in the Early Church speak of deadly vices or sins. We would be shocked to discover how many of these are still in full operation in our society today. As this series progresses, we narrow in on one particular scourge in our day, the deadly sin of acedia.[1] The Deadly Sin of Acedia Gyula Derkovits | Workers in the Field | 1920 | Public Domain Richard Foster says something interesting. If he were to rewrite his book now,... Read more

The Image, the Body, and Renewal

Last updated on: October 12, 2018 at 4:37 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

What can we glean from the Creation accounts about the body? Does the Word of God speak concretely about the physical body? How far do we go in applying the terms image and likeness of God (the imago Dei)? Do we practically apply scriptural principles to our everyday? Could we incorporate these views into our approach as ministers, therapists, etc.? I simply cannot tackle all these questions (and those following) in this portion of the series.[1] However, sometimes it’s better... Read more

The Dilemma of the Sin of Omission

Last updated on: October 9, 2018 at 9:25 am By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

We all know that sin is bad. It’s difficult to keep from bad sin, but sin is also refusing to do good, or the sin of omission. What is a common problem in our day that makes us vulnerable? This is part of a preaching series.[1] However, on a personal note, my wife and I are both involved in this particular post. The picture is from a contemplative moment after my last chapel as a graduate student at Asbury Theological Seminary... Read more

On Holism, Holiness, and Wholeness

Last updated on: October 4, 2018 at 4:27 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

Have you ever wondered about what the Bible says about humanity? What did God create man to be? In what ways did The Fall affect us? Did our Lord restore some sort of wholeness that we had lost? These questions were at the core of a seminary project I undertook. I found I was not alone in my curiosity. Many scholars were chasing these questions, including those in the social science fields.[1] i. Adam: Wholeness Likeness And God said, Let... Read more

If We’re Not Bad, We’re Good . . . Right?

Last updated on: October 4, 2018 at 3:52 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

What does it take to be bad? We need to tune in to what Scripture says on the topic, or we may be surprised. Worse yet, we may be participating in sin ourselves. This is the second in a series on sin, a fairly unpopular topic.[1] We all sin, but if we’re not careful, we can turn aside to a sinful lifestyle i. If we’re not bad, we’re good . . . Right? So we all know what sin is,... Read more

Toward a Biblical Concept of Personality

Last updated on: October 4, 2018 at 11:31 am By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

i. Forward For quite some time, I’ve been considering what topics or themes to chase on this blog. This is a paper on the concept of personality that seems to be pressing its way forward from the back burner, probably for no apparent reason. As someone who has been a preacher, teacher, and writer for many years, I’ve learned to yield to such unctions. Most often, the more I try to seek another option, the more I realize I’m fighting... Read more

Paradox of Sin in 1 John

Last updated on: October 4, 2018 at 3:34 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

i. Let’s Begin with a Paradox A paradox is like a conundrum or something that can’t be explained. What I’m going to start with are two baffling verses in the same book. 1 John 3.9 (NRSV): Those who have been born of God do not sin, because God’s seed abides in them; they cannot sin, because they have been born of God. 1 John 1.8: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in... Read more

Jared & Mateo: The Undragoning of Eustace (a/v)

Last updated on: September 22, 2018 at 5:55 pm By Rev. Jared V. Ingle

Mateo shares the deeper meaning behind a favorite scene from the Chronicles of Narnia, the undragoning of Eustace. This is our 2nd video together. Take a moment to watch how Aslan’s story affected Mateo’s faith in: Jared & Mateo: Hearing the Story for the 1st Time. If you have time, explore some of our other pieces in this series.[1] Jared & Mateo: The Undragoning of Eustace Jared: So, I’ve carried this so far. Is there anything you’d like to... Read more