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The failure of evangelicals in politics
This chapter from Dallas Willard’s book, Renewing the Christian Mind, stood out to me because it wasn’t written in 2016 or 2020 or 2024. It was around 2009 when Dallas wrote that article. Even 15 years ago, he had this question:
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Faith
James 2:14–18 (NIV) 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs,…
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Defining discipleship
…as a disciple of Jesus I am with him, by choice and by grace, learning from him how to live in the kingdom of God. This is the crucial idea. That means I am learning how to live within the range of God’s effective will, with his life flowing through mine. Another important way of putting this is to say…
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Sweet reminders
It is 9/11. It’s been 23 years. But I saw this video shared this morning that brings a sweet reminder. When we quit focusing on ripping each other apart, something special can happen.
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Those times when a phrase or a sentence just stops you
I can make a bad habit of cruising through an article or opinion piece and letting things just float by. It can be an article I agree with or an opinion piece that makes me mad, but I take in the whole of the piece and sometimes forget to pay attention to details. A piece I read by Nicholas Kristof…
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What would happen? What COULD happen?
One of my favorite thoughts from Merton’s Seven Storey Mountain: People have no idea what one saint can do: for sanctity is stronger than the whole of hell. The saints are full of Christ in the plenitude of His Kingly and Divine power: and they are conscious of it, and they give themselves to Him, that He may exercise His…
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Personal rules for the political season
A few rules I have for the political season: Voting for the lesser of two evils is still evil. To all political candidates: “It’s my vote. You have to EARN it!” I am not entitled to your opinion, nor you to mine
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Knowledge isn’t enough
A great problem in Christian education is we stop at doctrine. We stop at knowledge. It is embarrassing to watch church leaders tout knowledge and correct doctrine… and then use it as a hammer in the lives of other people. It becomes their source of pride and the root of their action. Their action, however, is about hammering the knowledge…
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The difficulty is FOLLOWING Jesus
I am re-reading some Dallas Willard books to refresh my spirit right now and one that is a compilation of interviews and shorter articles is my current project: Renewing the Christian Mind, edited by Gary Black, Jr. There is an interview where Dallas is asked:
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Let music and praise fill your heart
Paul doesn’t see these hymns and songs as simply decorative, a pleasant aural embroidery around Christian faith and practice. Singing, whether aloud or in your heart, was, he thought, an excellent way of actually practising the faith. If you don’t want your garden to grow weeds, one of the best ways is to keep it well stocked with strong, sturdy…
