I am reading an Advent devotional put out by Christianity Today and Rich Villodas reflects on Isaiah 9:1-2 in a powerful way. Villodas pastors in New York City and is a native New Yorker. He admits he’s never been to the 9/11 Memorial. He hasn’t gone because it is a reminder of intense darkness.
Tag Archives: Christianity Today
Hope in darkness
Hope and light in the darkness comes when WE are the light of Christ. We become the light of Christ when we deal with the darkness in our own lives.
Rise and Fall of Mars Hill
I recently finished the podcast series “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.” The last two episodes clock in at well about 2.5 hours EACH… so, brace yourselves.
Always reforming… this should be the Church
First, distinguish between deconstruction and reform. The church is a Christ-made institution, but it is also a sinful institution. It always needs reform. If a person’s frustration with the church arises from the biblical vision of community, that’s not deconstruction. It’s calling the church back to the gospel. More HERE. There is a deep workContinue reading “Always reforming… this should be the Church”
Our obsession with “winning”
Decades ago I remember a column or opinion piece written about our obsessions and warped values. At the time it was referring to the way we lift up people who work hard, work long hours, and don’t have time to “take it easy.” The prime example for that article was Dick Cheney (long before heContinue reading “Our obsession with “winning””
Words matter
I will say this plainly: the derisive use of “CRT” and “woke” among (mostly) white male evangelical/fundamentalist leaders and “authorities” is the 2021 version of the “N” word in the 1960s. Words matter. HOW we use those words matter.
The American Church is incredibly sick and in need of healing
What has the COVID-19 pandemic said about the American church? Who have we revealed ourselves to be under pressure? I am talking not about the virus itself. I am talking about the social crisis of the pandemic, which brought to light the ongoing experience of racism and injustice by ethnic minorities in this country.
Podcasts worth your time
Two series of podcasts are coming out now that are worth your time to reflect on just how we get where we are in evangelical Christianity in America, especially in the white conservative church.
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:
Global Christianity
When we say we have “struggles” with Christianity, or more specifically “evangelical” Christianity, we may then make a mistake and then blame “the Church” as a whole. I come too close to that line far too often. Tish Harrison Warren makes the case for global Christianity:
Apprentice 2 Jesus 