Intense biblical study creates tension. The Bible invites us to sit in that tension, to ask questions, and engage the text. But sometimes the tension becomes so great that it fractures the foundations of your faith. There’s a term for this. Deconstruction.
Category Archives: christianity
Does the Old Testament Matter?
While most Christians would probably affirm that the Old Testament is important, have we unconsciously “unhitched” ourselves from it? Historically, when the church has “unhitched” itself from the Old Testament, heresy, anti-Semitism, and un-Godly behavior soon follow.
And Your Little Dog Too!
No matter how you slice it, Jesus’s encounter with a Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 is downright rude. Perhaps there’s more going on here than meets the eye.
Has the Cross Lost its Shame?
Has the cross lost its shame? Do concepts like honor and shame mean the same to us as they did in the ancient world of the Bible? I think there are some real differences and the implications for discipleship are significant.
Failing for Success
We are a culture focused on winners and losers. Winners succeed, and losers fail. But Jesus sees it differently. Sometimes failure is a prerequisite for success.
The Lying Game
For those who claim to be followers of God, what obligation do we have to establish our social media posts’ truthfulness? Is the fact it aligns with our beliefs the only necessary condition for truth? At what point does the profession of our “belief” cross into the realm of lying?
9/11 – What I Will Never Forget
There are many things about September 11, 2001 that I will never forget. But it’s the words of a Muslim stranger that I pray I will never forget.
The Biggest “But”
The Letter of 1 Timothy may be the most problematic text within Scripture regarding the role of women in the church. What’s behind Paul’s troubling language?
The Big “But”
When it comes to studying women in the Bible, there are a couple of Big “Buts.” How do we reconcile them with the totality of Scripture?
Patrons, Prophets, and Preachers
It is incorrect to read the Old Testament as mandating patriarchy for the people of God. But what about the New Testament? Does the New Testament go against the prevailing culture in its teachings? There is some compelling evidence that it does.