By Adam Francisco

09/15/26

15mins

Josephus on Jesus

Josephus does not tell us that Christianity is true, and Christians do not need Josephus to tell them that Christ is risen. But Christianity makes claims about things that happened in public history under identifiable rulers, priests, and governors. For that reason, testimony from outside the church matters.

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

John W. Hoyum

09/18/26

Political Polarization and Cultural Christianity

Today, the longing for cultural Christianity on both the left and the right hearkens back to an older version of Christendom that was a mixed blessing for the church in the western world. The cultural mediation of Christian views on created order has certainly benefitted the civilization we’ve inherited. But the gospel itself isn’t something that can be reduced to cultural mediation either. Instead, the gospel as a message stands apart from all human accomplishments and achievements, no matter how beneficial they might be.

Geography: How the “Where” Impacts the “Why” of the Biblical Story

Mark Duerr

09/16/26

Geography: How the “Where” Impacts the “Why” of the Biblical Story

The student of Scripture should always have a map open next to their Bible as they read. If possible, they should also travel to Israel, not to make a pilgrimage, but to see the context of the land in which these stories took place. These are not fairy tales made up about fictional fantasy lands; these are stories about real people in real places interacting with a real God.

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Valerie Thur

01/23/19

History is Written by the Victim

Any and all failure is re-written to portray us as either victor or victim.

Donavon Riley

01/21/19

The Old Testament Roots of The Lord's Supper: Part 2

Blood is the thing. In the Scriptures, sin must be covered or "atoned for" as it's called, by blood.

Jacob Corzine

01/20/19

The Law and the Terrified Conscience

Separating the Law from the conscience is not just bad because it makes the Law ineffective. If the Law and the conscience are not brought together, it also means leaving the conscience unaddressed and unassuaged when the Gospel is preached.

Chad Bird

01/17/19

Is it OK for a Former Adult Film Producer to Serve Holy Communion?

Some things, once they are deemed disgusting or contaminated, permanently carry that quality with them. These things are even thought to be “contagious,” negatively affecting whatever they come into contact with.

Ryan Couch

01/17/19

The Myth of Christian Maturity

In a world where science tells us that everything is deteriorating and we’re all one day closer to our physical death it’s nice to think that there might be something we are getting better at.

Donavon Riley

01/17/19

Our Sins Are Either With Us or With Jesus

John’s message doesn’t inspire religious leaders to repent. Instead, John’s message provokes them to resentment and rage.

Kyle G. Jones

01/16/19

It's Time to Take Christ Out of Christmas

Our sinful nature is ever present this side of eternity. We need a constant reminder of what a friend of mine once said, “Jesus is the reason. Period."

Donavon Riley

01/15/19

The Old Testament Roots of the Lord's Supper: Part 1

At the Passover, when Jesus said, "Take, eat, this is my body... take, drink, this is the New Testament in my blood, which is given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins," he wasn't inventing a "new" thing.

Chad Bird

01/11/19

Slaying Monsters in Church: Why Baptism Should be Rated R for Violence

When people are baptized, time is transcended. They go back to the Jordan and the Jordan comes forward to them. In a single splash, or a single dunk, they enter the war.

Chad Bird

01/11/19

God Writes Straight With Crooked Lines

If I were granted three wishes, one of them would not be to know what the future holds.

Erick Sorensen

01/10/19

Jesus The Antinomian?

The other day on Twitter, I saw someone insult their theological opponent with the term "free-gracer."

Joel Hess

01/10/19

A Church for Amnesiacs

Even after Jesus made it clear in His actions and commands that God’s grace is for all sinners, the apostles forgot the promises they received from their Savior.

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