Ave Christus Rex!!!

HT: First Things Magazine As the dust settles and the role that conscientious dissenters will have in our New Society is made clearer, we who pray “Thy kingdom come” need not be afraid. What is new is the unfortunate decision of five Supreme Court justices. What isn’t new is the call for Christians to liveContinue reading “Ave Christus Rex!!!”

Getting Practical with Paul’s Apocalyptic Gospel

To see the practical implications Paul’s apocalyptic gospel in Galatians it is helpful to begin by looking at chapter 1 verse 6 which says that the Galatians are abandoning the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel. We should note that verse 1:3 begins with the “grace” that the Father and ChristContinue reading “Getting Practical with Paul’s Apocalyptic Gospel”

The Challenge of Jesus

N.T. Wright has written a plethora of books that span the spectrum between devotional and intense academic tomes. The Challenge of Jesus seeks to place itself somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. In the preface to this book Wright last out three goals that he has in writing this book. The first goal isContinue reading “The Challenge of Jesus”

Atonement Week – The Crucified King – Kindle Deal

Its tonement week and boy do I have a deal for you! Right now you can get Jeremy Treat’s excellent treatment of this doctrine, The Crucified King: Atonement in Biblical and Systematic Theology for your Kindle for only $1.99! What a steal! This book won the “Award of Merit” for Theology/Ethic in Christianity Today’s 2015Continue reading “Atonement Week – The Crucified King – Kindle Deal”

Citizens (Book Review)

Citizen: Your Role in the Alternative Kingdom begins with author Rob Peabody standing on a Balcony overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. In that moment, life seemed to become so much clearer – he came to a breakthrough…. He realized that the Christian life he had been experiencing had been quite anemic, he realized thatContinue reading “Citizens (Book Review)”

Love the Local Church!

In a few weeks Scot McKnight’s new book, The Kingdom Conspiracy, will come out. I got my hands on it a bit early and I really want to recommend it to you. I really think it will speak loudly to a generation who is more enamored with doing “kingdom” work  than “church” work. Here isContinue reading “Love the Local Church!”

Book Review – New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom by Robbie Fox Castleman

As the person who oversees college Life Groups at my church I know how hard it is to find, write, or develop good small group/bible study curriculum. Over the years I have perused tons of Bible studies and small group materials, only to be fairly disappointed every time. However, Robbie Castleman’s New Testament Essentials aContinue reading “Book Review – New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom by Robbie Fox Castleman”

Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 1)

Niebuhr’s book Christ and Culture is a classic book on the history of the interaction between Christianity and the culture around it. Over the next few days I’m going to share some thoughts I have on this book…. Are his five types accurate? I think that Niebuhr’s typology pretty accurately represents my experience interacting withContinue reading “Niebuhr, Christ, and Culture (Pt. 1)”

Book Review – Flesh by Hugh Halter

Open up any systematic theology and you will find a chapter on the incarnation. This chapter will usually revolve around metaphysical issues including anthropology, the Trinity, and discussion over the contradiction between categories of humanity and divinity. What you probably won’t find in that chapter is discussion about how incarnation informs our mission. Hugh HalterContinue reading “Book Review – Flesh by Hugh Halter”

Book Review – Risky Gospel by Owen Strachan

There is a seed of courage hidden (often deeply, it is true) in the heart of the fattest and most timid hobbit, waiting for some final and desperate danger to make it grow.  – Tolkien Centuries of peace have made hobbits fat and timid. The same holds true for most Christians. We forget that weContinue reading “Book Review – Risky Gospel by Owen Strachan”