Apprentice 2 Jesus

Church

  • Living in the power of the beautiful kingdom of God

    One of the great lessons I’ve carried from NT Wright is to see heaven and earth in a far different relationship than what I believed growing up. Heaven is not “up there” and earth is not “down here.” They are two different dimensions of God’s good creation. Read more

  • The church may be a mess and Christ is beautiful

    The Church is a very human institution and this week is a very human week in the American conservative (white) church. I am thankful for voices like Tish Harrison Warren and her encouraging words of hope. It may look tough or bleak: Read more

  • Could hardness of heart be on full display this week?

    Over the past few years I have taught on and laid out some thoughts on the subject I call “Living in Babylon.” Over the past few years there has been a testing of what I have called “culturalized Christianity.” If this is something that is new to you, I suggest looking at my podcast page… Read more

  • That which possesses us

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  • The underbelly of Christendom

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  • The American church needs the global church

    The church in North America is starting to erode. Thankfully, however, the center of the church is not in North America. The vast majority of Christians on Earth live elsewhere, and their numbers are growing rapidly. The vibrancy of majority-world Christianity presents us with an opportunity — one that was always available to us, but… Read more

  • Church as commodity

    This morning a thought in prayer was this: The church must always be subversive. It needs to always be in the servant role. Then I continued my meandering through A Burning in My Bones, the biography of Eugene Peterson. Read more

  • The King of Glory is coming in

    And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of… Read more

  • The revolution of mission

    I am not saved simply to “go to heaven.” I am saved to understand I have been restored as an image bearer of God and there is a mission given… a human vocation. N.T. Wright: The “royal priesthood” is the company of rescued humans who, being part of “earth,” worship the God of heaven and… Read more

  • Good Friday — Judgment and Mercy

    The cross of Christ is critical in the life of the believer. This year, it is a stark symbol for our time. We need to pay attention. The way of the Cross is the way of humiliation. Our God is not the vengeful, warrior God. He is not about “conquering” the way we think in… Read more