“Evangelicals have often been presented with a false choice about our role in public life. We either completely withdraw from trying to influence things, or we initiate ‘takeover’ programs. There is an alternative pattern, thought, one that I believe is mandated by Scripture: in the present time, where the fullness of Christ’s kingdom is not yet with us, we are called to do what we can in the political realm, given the opportunities and abilities that God has provided for us in the places where the Lord calls us to be faithful.” — Richard Mouw, Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels
Category: Church Life
The way home
I am working my way through Daniel 6 as I continue to expand on “Living in Babylon.” (I think it may be a book one day if I can simply overcome one thing: outright fear and terror.)
Continue reading “The way home”“Last Days” living
1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV): Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
I Timothy 4 delivers stern warnings. They are crucial for our times. For Timothy it was vital to pay attention. Continue reading ““Last Days” living”
When we have power and no authority
Mark 3:20–22 (NIV): 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “[He is out of his mind].”
22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
When the religious leaders realize they can’t control or stop Jesus, and he has the true authority, all they have left is manipulation.
Those who are in power but without authority can only control by manipulation, fear, or false narratives. Be aware.
Can we say “Rise up and walk”
Quite probably an apocryphal story, but one I still find relevant in our time:
According to Cornelius a Lapide, Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II when the latter was counting out a large sum of money. “You see, Thomas,” said the Pope, “the church can no longer say, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’” “True, holy father,” was the reply; “neither can she now say, ‘Rise and walk.’”
Cited by F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988), 77–78. (Found HERE in my meager search)
No wonder they wanted to shut up Jeremiah
I am working through a hard passage in Jeremiah related to some writing I’ve called “Living in Babylon.” I’ve avoided getting to deep into this passage because of the direct implications it has on the American Church… and I have no interest whatsoever in being “wacky prophet guy.” But… God has turned me into “wacky prophet guy” and I’m not very happy about it.
Continue reading “No wonder they wanted to shut up Jeremiah”Why we need to keep working past #MLKDay
Leading up to Martin Luther King Day is becoming more of a sacred habit for me. On MLK Day, as well, I will read “Letter from a Birmingham jail” just to kick my weak motivation into a higher gear. This year I was able to add in participating in MLK ceremonies.
And it’s not enough.
Continue reading “Why we need to keep working past #MLKDay”