On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. There are four key concepts in this section of the Apostles’ Creed: bodily resurrection, bodily ascension, present rule, and coming judgment. The resurrection of Jesus is the linchpin of our faith – an illustration used by Derek Vreeland (primal credo). “A linchpin is a small locking metal pin... Read more

A cycle rolls and returns to where it started and then begins all over again. So Revelation 4-7, which I include below for your reading in the Common English Bible, which offers simple language to make the text seeringly clear. Remember, this Book of Revelation is not a book of context-less speculation but a Book sent to seven churches in Western Asia Minor in the 1st Century, churches with whom John had a relationship. (The floor of the very large synagogue... Read more

By CBE International On October 11, 2018 Abuse October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month or DVAM. Domestic violence is a pressing problem every day and month of the year. But in October, we set aside time to discuss how widespread and pervasive domestic abuse is in our world and in our churches (including physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual abuse) and what we can do to set wrong to right. Have you experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, emotional abuse, or any kind... Read more

I am in the midst of reposting and then extending a series looking at the questions that surround both biblical womanhood and women in leadership roles. The first two posts in the series looked at the variety of things that women are described as doing in both the Old and the New Testaments (A Look at Biblical Womanhood and Women of the New Testament). These range from the “expected” roles of wife and mother to judge, prophet, builder, business women,... Read more

For decades, especially as a result of George Kennedy’s relentless scholarship and teaching, rhetoric has percolated among some New Testament scholars and therefore creeps into preaching and teaching in local churches. Ben Witherington has spent his life reading the NT in light of Kennedy’s theories of rhetoric, and alongside has developed some of his own theories. In the wake of Kennedy is Baylor’s Mikeal Parsons, author with Michael Martin of a new book that I recommend for anyone who wants... Read more

Northern Seminary presents a new program in Multiethnic Church Leadership beginning June 24–28, 2019, in Charlotte, NC. The program is in collaboration with Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church in Charlotte, NC, and author of several books including The High-Definition Leader: Building Multiethnic Churches in a Multiethnic World. The program will also feature guests, including Mark DeYmaz, Efrem Smith, Bryan Loritts. Available as a Master’s degree or certificate, the Multiethnic Church Leadership program will give students the theological resources and vision to build flourishing gospel-centered,... Read more

I’ll clear the air first: as Sandage knows and has said, correlation and causation are not the same, but correlation remains correlation. Correlation requires thoughtful consideration not knee-jerk condemnation. I know Scott Sandage, and he’s a reliable reporter and an exceptional scholar. He has published theological studies as well as sociological research. From Boston University Today (BU Today): In June, Attorney General Jeff Sessions decided that domestic violence is inadequate grounds for granting asylum. Sessions’ announcement followed President Trump’s defense of aide Rob... Read more

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. BCP Read more

One week comes to its end and a new week is about to begin: Tuesday Kris and I fly for the rest of the week to Dublin Ireland for a conference called Rubicon. Creative sand art: (CNN) — If you’ve been frequenting the sandy beaches along the rugged, Welsh Pembrokeshire Coast in Britain, you might have noticed some mysterious shapes appearing in the sand. These intricate murals are beach-based works of art created by local sand muralist Marc Treanor. Inspired by crop... Read more

By Mike Glenn Taking Love for Granted Every once in a while, a couple will come by and talk to me about their marriage. Things aren’t the same, they’ll tell me and they’ll wonder if they’re “falling out of love”. What seems to be the problem? Nothing, they’ll say. Everything, they’ll tell me. Give me an example. They’re fighting more, they’ll say. About what? Nothing, they’ll say. Everything, they’ll tell me. They fight about who helps the kids with homework,... Read more