Tag Archives: Jesus

Jesus, (Not a) Friend of Sinners?

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

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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Bringing People to Jesus, but Unintentionally

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

John 8 has a story about the teachers of the law and Pharisees bringing to Jesus a woman “caught in the very act of adultery.” According to John (or, considering that this story was likely not part of John’s original … Continue reading →

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Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition, 3

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

The next part of the covenant goes like this: Leader: Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work. People: Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: Put me to doing, put … Continue reading →

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Secularism Makes for a Better Islam?

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

Sometimes when we westerners look at the world, particularly at chaos in and emanating from the so-called Muslim world, we suggest that they need more secularism. Islam, it is assumed, must be the problem. If they can manage to tone … Continue reading →

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Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition, 2

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

The service begins with an affirmation of God’s temporal ubiquity: Leader: Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. People: From everlasting to everlasting, You are God. This God who calls us into covenant has already been active in … Continue reading →

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Covenant Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition, 1

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

Since the days of John Wesley, Methodists have sought to renew their covenant with God at the turn of the new year. Our church followed in this tradition this morning. I framed the covenant renewal with a message from Joshua … Continue reading →

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What the American Church Needs in 2015

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Richard Heyduck

I’m only going to mention two things here, not because I think the situation is really that simple, but because if we can get these two things right, most of the other things will fall into place. The first thing … Continue reading →

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Dealing with Anger: Pessimism or Contentment?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

In class today I showed the students Alain de Botton’s presentation of the philosophy of Seneca. I think Seneca (as interpreted by de Botton) is genuinely insightful. The richer and more successful we are, the more prone we are to … Continue reading →

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Jesus and Culture

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

Yeah, I know; given the title of this post I could write just about anything. I’m only going to touch on one aspect here. Sometimes we complain about how biblical scholars give us a Jesus who looks nothing like us, … Continue reading →

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Vision or Memory

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Richard Heyduck

This morning’s preacher worked from Philippians 3 and urged us to “press on.” In his message he used a “preacher story” about a man who was faced with a major medical crisis. If he had the risky surgery, he might … Continue reading →

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