Category Archives: Ministry

The Lord is Good (Review)

Christopher Holmes’ book, The Lord is Good: Seeking the God of the Psalter, is a unique book in that Holmes attempts to defend the doctrine of divine simplicity by engaging with the Psalms and the history of their interpretation. Among the people Holmes engages with, Aquinas gets most of the attention. Although this book isContinue reading “The Lord is Good (Review)”

Still Evangelical?

I am the son of two immigrants, my father was Polish and my mother is Guatemalan. I grew up in small Latino churches. I am evangelical. I was on staff at an evangelical megachurch. I am a PhD student at a historically significant evangelical institution. I am also a registered Republican.  It should go withoutContinue reading “Still Evangelical?”

Walking Through Twilight

Openness, authenticity, and even lament are increasingly been seen as important among evangelical circles. With an increase in the valuing of these virtues and practices we have also seen an increase in the number of books addressing such topics. For example: Todd Billings’: Rejoicing in Lament – Wrestling with Incurable Cancer and Life in ChristContinue reading “Walking Through Twilight”

Judge Lest You Be Judged: John Calvin on Grace in Church Discipline

“Judge lest you be judged.” This mantra has become so widely accepted in our 21st century western context that even the the church has come to take it as programmatic for church discipline. Even within the church to discipline somebody is seen as being judgmental; and to be judgmental is to commit one of theContinue reading “Judge Lest You Be Judged: John Calvin on Grace in Church Discipline”

10 Reasons You Should Go to Seminary

I recently came across an older blog post by Scot McKnight about going to seminary. McKnight is one of my favorite authors and biblical scholars. He also teaches at a seminary. I respect the guy a ton! So if he says, “here are 10 reasons you should go to seminary” I listen, and I thinkContinue reading “10 Reasons You Should Go to Seminary”

(Review) The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

My wife and I have a beautiful 16 month old daughter. She loves to play around and she really loves to read. Given my profession, the fact that she loves books brings joy to my heart! Although she loves books, probably more than any other form of entertainment, her mother and I still have theContinue reading “(Review) The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch”

(Review) Embodied Hope by Kelly Kapic

The problem of evil has been solved. Well, at least the logical problem of evil has been, which for the lived experience of most human beings is radically insufficient. Pain and suffering present a radically real problem for many people. People die, get sick, and deal with chronic pain. For some, these realities pose aContinue reading “(Review) Embodied Hope by Kelly Kapic”

Same-Sex Attraction and the Church

Its actually a plausibility problem… What the bible teaches about same sex relationships sounds implausible to most people nowadays. It sounds totally implausible to ask people to turn their backs on same sex relationships and live a lonely life as a perpetually single person.  Not only does it sound implausible, it sounds unhealthy. Listen toContinue reading “Same-Sex Attraction and the Church”

Practicing Scripture, Christ, and the Church: John Calvin’s Agenda for the Eucharist

What is “practical” theology? Often, practical theology is thought to consist of the explicit practices of the church, such as church discipline, preaching, leadership, types of worship, etc. Is this the sort of practical theology Calvin is engaged with in his Eucharistic theology? Although a good portion of Calvin’s practical theology of the Eucharist surelyContinue reading “Practicing Scripture, Christ, and the Church: John Calvin’s Agenda for the Eucharist”