No Church Revitalization without Mission
The Church, having turned the Gospel into a moral performance, a judgemental system of do's and do-nots, must come to grips with the fact that the culture has moved on.
Contributors
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman is Lead Pastor at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church in Succasunna New Jersey. He Holds a BA in History and Political Science from Quinnipiac University, an MDiv. from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, and an STM in Patristics from Drew University; his research involves Augustinian studies and Early Christianity. He is co-founder of Fifth Act Church Planting, having served on their board.
Anxiety, Depression, and the God Who Treats You Better Than You Can Imagine
God is always better than your imaginings. God is greater than your thoughts about God!
All the Suffering, Evil, and Pain in the World Comes Down to Love
Sin is driven by disordered love, and it is love in this sense that leads to all the pain and suffering in the world.
The God Who Says, “Hide!”
God may be all-powerful, but he has an odd way of showing it. He tends to work his power through weakness, brokenness, even a cross.
Christians in a Time of Pride and Shame
Shame is shameful. That may seem obvious but ponder this observation from the authors of Scenes of Shame: “Shame, indeed, covers shame itself—it is shameful to express shame.”
Fortress God
As someone who has had a lifelong experience with anxiety, living through its dark rhythms and running from its haunting shadows, Psalm 46 has been a promise of immense comfort.
Does Church History Matter?
In these "Theology Unscripted" videos, we aim to answer the tough questions of everyday life with five minutes answers that are brief and easy to digest.
Why Should We Talk to People Outside of Our Faith?
In these "Theology Unscripted" videos, we aim to answer the tough questions of everyday life with five minutes answers that are brief and easy to digest.
The Loss of a Lady: Notre Dame and Sacred Space
She is so honored not because she is grand, but because her grandness reflects the gratitude and hopes of a people who need some way to express their affection for the God they love.
You Can’t Always Outrun the Pain. That’s OK.
Have you ever read the Old Testament book of Lamentations? It’s not one of those Bible books that tend to make it too often onto devotional lists, sermon schedules or motivational posters.
You Can’t Work For Peace
Sometimes the hardest part of the day is the time just before sleep. At that time, if struggles or stresses abound, we can be kept up by racing thoughts.
You Are Not Your Sin
Pelagianism is the ancient heresy that says that if you work hard enough and will something strongly enough, you can prevent sin
God, I’m Mad At You
How many times have you been mad at God? Probably more than you’d like to admit.
The Dung-Slinging God
The prophet Jonah longed for one thing: to see the Assyrian city of Nineveh utterly destroyed by the wrath of God. His wish eventually came true
Identity, and the Self-Stories We Tell
What does it mean to be a child of God and to carry his image? This is a theological question, but it is a question necessary for our self-understanding
Five Ways Apologetics Can Respond to Postmodernity
What postmoderns see in modernism is a misuse of power through the control of dominant narratives.
The Joy of Obedience
Can there be joy in obedience? That depends on if obedience if a free choice or the result of threats.
The Habits of Grace
Only because He is an outsider can he afford the costly fee insiders could never afford no matter how hard they work.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism is a popular buzzword and one the most impactful philosophies in the world around us. However, postmodernism is frustrating and often hard to understand.
Augustine of Hippo
After speaking together at a Christ Hold Fast city event, Dr. Keith invited Bruce Hilman to join him on two episodes of the Thinking Fellows.
Why Grace is Outrageous
On August 4th of 2018, Christ Hold Fast held a one day event in New Jersey focused on Outrageous Grace in a Culture of Outrage. Speakers from around the country came together to speak to this topic.
A Walk In The Woods: Enchanted by Christ
A few minutes from where I live there is a flat trail that leads for miles through a thick forest.
The Baptism that Swallowed the Rocks
One of the buzzwords going around today is "community." Supposedly, the "experts" tell us, this is what people want.
Behind the Satanic Curtain:
There are a few occasions in the Bible where the curtain lifts, and we get to peer into the inner workings of the Divine Court.
When God Lets You Down After You Tried So Hard…
They are honest words, raw and revealing, a torrent of emotions surging with unrestrained manic.
It is Better to Not See
One of the things I enjoy the most about having four Gospels is that we get four diverse accounts of Jesus. That is not only helpful, it is realistic.
When God Wounds
One of life’s hardest lessons, and a mark of maturity, is the realization that life is profoundly unfair.
The Resurrection is Not Greater than the Cross
We all look forward to Lent’s conclusion and the celebration of Resurrection Sunday. This is the Sunday of victory and joy as the Church enters into the reality that Christ has defeated death and hell, declared victory over such enemies and set history on its final course of consummation.
Is Jesus the Only Way? The Question of Exclusivity
For centuries the great problem with the existence of God was the problem of evil. If God is good and loves us, why is there evil?
Satan and Electric Joy
In the world of martial arts, which I am the first to admit I am no expert in, there is a concept, particularly in Jujutsu and Judo, called seiryoku zen’yo or, “maximum efficiency, minimum effort.”
The First Love of God
Henri Nouwen, the Roman Catholic priest, professor and writer summed up his summary of the Gospel as, “You are the beloved of God!”
The Cross in a Culture of Self-Promotion
If the cross were to happen today, not on Golgotha, but in our own locale, would we take selfies?
Daring to Pray for the Impossible…
“Who can be saved!?” the disciples asked in astonishment. For Jesus had just told them that camels passing through needle’s eyes was more probable than rich people entering heaven.
He Knew He Was Going To Die: When Bible Reading Becomes Boring.
This is the third time Jesus has told his disciples he is going to be killed.
Postmodernism, Charlottesville and the Hope to Come….
"Are you Republican or Democrat?” “Liberal or conservative?” “Yankees or Red Sox?” “Star Wars or Star Trek?”
The Fog of Fear: Panic Attacks, Anxiety and Being Overwhelmed
You can see it far off, looming on the horizon, a thick fog menacing off the coast and swirling in the distance. You know the signs.
Catbirds and the Delight of God
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is read out under the shade of my backyard tree. There, I have a reclining chair and small little side table.
Do Pets Go To Heaven? Why I Think So…
As a pastor I am often asked if pets go to heaven? The question may sound childish, or even sentimental, but it is extremely important for those who ask it.
The Suicide Prophet
When St. Augustine lost his best friend he writes what, up until that time, was the most personally revealing confession of pain and sorrow yet to be recorded in history.
Living Out Forgiveness
One of the common things I see my congregants struggle with is the concept of forgiveness. Contrary to what I had assumed would be the case, I find congregants don’t struggle so much with giving forgiveness as they do living with forgiveness.
Spitting on Jesus
Last year, a friend I follow tweeted, “Calling yourself a sinner is spitting on all the work that Jesus did to make you a saint.”
Please, Sing to Me!
I once heard an old, retired Lutheran professor give in interview on a podcast. He was asked by the interviewer why people should bother going to church if they could just be saved through a personal relationship with Jesus?
Why Did Jesus Scold Peter for Trying?
It is often the case that when dealing Divine, we find ourselves befuddled. For as relatable and surprisingly vulnerable God is as the man Jesus, he seems, at times, to retain a certain aloofness, a type of distance.
Dancing With The Spirit
Years ago I picked up a used copy of Thomas Á Kempis’ Imitation of Christ at a second-hand bookstore.
No Salvation Without Works
One of the interesting things about Paul’s writings that is not noticed enough is that Paul doesn’t really have an “application” section.
God’s Fixed Courtroom
A crisis of faith always occurs when we begin to believe that God has betrayed us.
Banjaxed
Stephen Fry, the English actor, author and game show host once disparaged the “grammar Nazis” who felt it necessary to enforce all the rules of language but who had forgotten, or just didn’t care, about the joy of language.
Groaning-God
Sam had just lost a loved one. She came into my office and sat in the chair across from mine.
Happily Waiting For My Faith To Die
The good news is, soon my faith will die.