Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:27-8 Recently I had a conversation with an old friend. We’ve had the same conversation over the years, and it always revolves around the same issue. He goes to church from time to time, but he just can’t bring himself to believe... Read more
First posted in 2017: Sometime ago I watched the film, “Shenandoah.” James Stewart plays Charlie Anderson, a Virginia farmer who becomes embroiled unwillingly in the mayhem of the War Between the States. His family gathers at the dinner table, and Anderson prays, “Lord, we cleared this land. We ploughed it, sowed it, and harvested. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be eating it, if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog bone-hard for every... Read more
There have been countless articles and reflections on the meltdown at Mars Hill. Christianity Today featured a podcast which was one of the lengthier meditations on that story, but there were others worth reading (among them, read here and here). Both the massive popularity and the spectacular failure of that ministry justifies attention, even in parts of the church that are far from the non-denom world. There is no need to cover the same territory discussed elsewhere. But there a... Read more
As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that... Read more
We may never be able to “look back” on Covid-19 as an artifact of the distant past. But we can begin to assess the early decisions that the church made in response to its spread and draw some lessons from our experience. There are others, and I am interested in what others have learned. Here are a few I would offer: We should not let the government keep us from being in touch with one another. Yes, we needed... Read more
The emphasis upon equality under the law was and remains an important affirmation in American life. Although – as a nation – we have never fully and faithfully observed its implications, it has been a goal that has steadily transformed the way in which we live as a country. Such guarantees create the context for choice and creativity. They enhance a citizen’s sense of agency, and foster initiative. Equity in outcome, however, has gradually supplanted that priority in many quarters.... Read more
One of the scribes came near and heard the Saducees disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love... Read more
In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, Paul Glader and John Semakula named at least part of the damage done to the church by Covid-19: Last year Pastors Henry Fuhrman and Jerry O’Sullivan of Shelter Rock Church in Nassau County, N.Y., began working as TV preachers. For months they livestreamed sermons as Covid-19 ravaged the leafy communities of Long Island, where their church has several campuses. After overcoming the hurdles of digital worship, they now have a new... Read more
I’m going to do something really dangerous. I’m going to summarize one of history’s greatest pieces of literature in just few, scant sentences: The Book of Job. Movement One: We are introduced to Job in a wager between God and an angelic provocateur. That movement is designed to let us peak behind the curtain, underlining Job’s innocence. Movement Two: Job’s life goes to proverbial “hell in a hand basket,” underlining the fact that bad things happen to good people. Movement... Read more
“I need to talk. I’ve been asked to preach at my father’s funeral, and I don’t believe in the Resurrection anymore.” “I don’t know what to say at a person’s funeral. After all, they don’t have anything to look forward to.” Statements like this are the kind of thing that one expects to hear at any funeral, when the death of a loved one cuts through the families and friendships of anyone who dies. But they are both examples of... Read more
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