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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Bradley Gray

08/18/21

Never Tell Me the Odds: On the Implausible and Improbable Deliverance of God

God picks the unexpected and the unlikely, and goes to the unforeseen places, stacking the odds against himself, in order that age after age might stand in open-mouthed wonder at his sovereignty in and over all things.

Erick Sorensen

08/16/21

That's a Good Question: Can We Know When Jesus Will Return?

The grace of God does not save us at the beginning only in order to keep ourselves in his good graces by our good enough readiness.

Peter Nafzger

08/14/21

Gospel: Mark 7:1-13 (Pentecost 13: Series B)

No longer do we read about Jesus promising to satisfy and raise and abide in His people. Instead, we encounter a Jesus who goes on the attack.

Bradley Gray

08/11/21

Gentle and Lowly: A Reflection on the Love that Will Not Let Us Go

For sinners who cannot seem to get out of their own way, Dane brings to bear the gospel of Christ’s heart, which aerates one’s spiritual lungs with undiluted grace.

John W. Hoyum

08/09/21

That's a Good Question: When is Baptism Not Valid

Baptism is always valid because no unrighteousness or faithlessness on our part could ify God’s faithfulness.

Peter Nafzger

08/07/21

Gospel: John 6:51-69 (Pentecost 12: Series B)

Jesus, the Son of God from all eternity, the agent of creation, the Savior of all people, promises to abide IN His people.

Steven Paulson

08/02/21

That's a Good Question: Are We All Predestined to Either Heaven or Hell?

The reason the mind is endlessly troubled about God predestining everything is the vague generalization. Generalizations are cold as ice, without the warm Christ.

Peter Nafzger

07/31/21

Gospel: John 6:35-51 (Pentecost 11: Series B)

Jesus promises more than a disembodied “spiritual” existence after death. He has promised to raise our perishable, mortal bodies to immortality.

Haroldo Camacho

07/29/21

The Sixth Beatitude: Makarios in a Crucible?

We are not saved by the success of our refining process. We are saved precisely because our impurities, no matter what the percentage, ruin the whole thing.

Peter Nafzger

07/24/21

Gospel: John 6:22-35 (Pentecost 10: Series B)

In His grace, Jesus promises that all who come to Him in faith will live abundantly and eternally.

John Bombaro

07/24/21

What Is the Purpose of the Church?

Ascertaining the what and how of the Church greatly factor into the very purpose of the Church, that is, they essentially answer the question why the Church?

Steven A. Hein

07/19/21

That's A Good Question: Is God Responsible for Death?

We do not have to endure the pain and suffering of this fallen existence forever, just for a little while.

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