Category Archives: Sin

Coming to Our Senses

In Luke 5:1-11 we see a story of Simon coming to his senses. By acting on Jesus’s word (against his inclination) and experiencing the work of Jesus in his life, Simon came to see himself as a sinner. Up to … Continue reading

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Jesus, Friend of Sinners

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The Squeaky Wheel

What’s the problem with a squeaky wheel? Is it that it is squeaky, that it makes a noise we find unpleasant, perhaps even a noise that grates on our ears? Or is it that a squeaky wheel is in some … Continue reading

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The Chosen, Season 4 episode 2

Some thoughts and questions from The Chosen Season 4 Episode : – Jesus and Andrew are talking about the recent death of John the Baptist. They get to a point where they’re both laughing, and Andrew wonders if it’s ok … Continue reading

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Spiritual Warfare – Our Enemy

Spiritual Warfare has been a popular topic in some segments of American Christianity. In the age of Christendom we were prone to take the “warfare” aspect too literally. Though many instances of “killing people for Jesus” come to mind, just … Continue reading

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Being Human

Sunday’s message was on theological anthropology – the Christian view of what it means to be human. I made two broad claims: Humans are made in God’s image. Being made in the image of God is better understood functionally or … Continue reading

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The “Angry, Offended” God

I ran across this quotation on Twitter the other day: “God, apart from Christ, is an angry, offended Sovereign. Unless we behold God in and through Christ, the only Mediator–the terrors of His Majesty would overwhelm us. Because of our … Continue reading

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Psychiatry and Ministry (sort of)

Pretend this piece on Slate Star Codex isn’t about psychiatry but about ministry. Alexander describes two ways of understanding psychiatry: Attitude 1 says that patients know what they want but not necessarily how to get it, and psychiatrists are there … Continue reading

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I Want a Principle Within

The Charles Wesley hymn, I Want a Principle Within, isn’t sung as often as it used to be. It’s a powerful tool in our quest for holiness, however, so it’s well worth recovering. At first glance the “principle” we “want … Continue reading

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Jesus, (Not a) Friend of Sinners?

Though our experience in church might incline us to think so, this is not how Jesus operated. Jesus intentionally, strategically, and lovingly, spent time with sinners. If we’re going to walk in the way of Jesus, i.e., be Christians, we’ll need to do … Continue reading

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