In Rev. 21:8 we read, “But for the cowardly… their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” It is interesting to me that cowardice is the first item on a list that goes on to include murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, and idolaters, among others. This is because John was writing to Christians who were going to need courage in order to endure suffering and remain faithful to Jesus. Courage continues to... Read more
by Natasha Smith (who also wrote Antique Testament) Who are some memorable villains and what sparked their turning to the dark side? Of course, Darth Vader stands out, fueled by fear and vengeance. Similarly, Thanos believes he has the right to take vengeance into his own hands. Loki’s action results from his search for belonging, identity, and love. Voldemort and Gollum both desire a power too great for them. All these examples shared a similar theme: they covet something and... Read more
Last night I completed my ninth triathlon. Before I go any further, I should point out that triathlons come in varying lengths. When most people hear the word, their minds go immediately to Iron Man competitions, like the annual one that happens in Hawaii. However, there are actually four distances: sprint (approx. 15 miles total), Olympic (approx. 30 mile total), half-triathlon (70 miles) and full triathlon (140 miles). The later two are sometimes called half Iron Man and full Iron... Read more
If Christians are ever to think independently about voting, we have to start thinking earlier than usual. So let’s get ahead of the conversation before the rest of the world makes up our minds for us. This post has a limited purpose. I analyze two principled reasons why certain believers don’t vote in national elections. I argue that reasons grounded in personal purity are weaker than those grounded in missional impartiality. By “principled” I don’t mean “binding in all times and... Read more
It’s mid-August. Every year at this time, professional football teams engage in training camp, preparing for the regular season. At the same time, rabid fans devour information from sports writers about their favorite teams. It’s a busy time of year in the world of sports. As I reflect upon the kind of dedication it takes to be a professional athlete, it makes me think about what scripture says about discipleship. There are some interesting parallels between the two. So... Read more
The other day, I ran across a blog here at Patheos titled Illogic in the Garden of Eden Story. As I am currently preaching a series on Genesis 1-11, the creation story is fresh in my mind. Though the title promised a less than sympathetic reading of the text, my curiosity prevailed. Having read the post, I can report that the content basically met my expectations. On the one hand, I found the author’s reading of the text problematic. As... Read more
by Natasha Smith Antique Appeal Why do antiques captivate a collector’s imagination? Why do people pay so much for someone else’s old “junk”? The answer is simple. Antiques have histories. They represent bygone eras that many of our contemporaries find fascinating. They connect us with memories of what has been that inspire what still may be. We might even connect ourselves to a glorious legend by preserving antiques, visiting ruins, and studying artifacts of legendary events. I recently strolled through... Read more
Stanley Hauerwas is famous for saying that “It’s the church’s job to help the world understand that it is the world.” [If this it the first time you’ve heard this slogan, you may need to pause a bit and reflect on what it might mean.] If by “world” he means “the organization of society in rebellion to Christ’s Lordship,” then he’s certainly right. But I would take this dictum a step further. “It’s the church’s job to help the world... Read more
Today, I want to talk about the important role grief plays in being a disciple of Jesus. It’s currently on my radar because, in my observation, there are far too many Christians whose radar it’s not on. I cite as evidence A the fact that you don’t find many Christian books, sermons, podcasts, or songs that celebrate the virtues of grief. I suspect that a book titled “God Wants You to Grieve” wouldn’t fly off the shelves. I don’t know... Read more
One of my favorite shows to watch is Undercover Boss. Basically a big wig in a company goes undercover to see how that company is operating. The great thing about “Undercover Boss” is that people say things and act in ways they never would have if they knew they were in the presence of the boss. So it makes for some very candid moments and some very uncomfortable situations. One scene I remember involved the CEO of the Checkers fast... Read more
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