*This is the second post in a series where the practice of street preaching is put under scrutiny. The inspiration for this series comes from a street preacher I recently encountered at the local DMV. In my last post, I argued that the form of the message matters and that most contemporary street preachers do not give messages with good form. The second lesson learned from the street preacher relates to the venue—the geographic location of […]
Much of what I have been arguing for, or against, over the past couple of weeks has to do with what I believe is at the root of the misunderstanding surrounding proper applications of biblical manhood principles. I want to suggest that the biblical manhood movement puts crushing and often times unbiblical expectations on young men who are seeking after their savior. If this is any doubt, one only has to read the commenter, Stuart, […]
Over the last few decades, our precious protestant friend Justification has received a lot of tough press and some heavy abuse. Stendahl, Sanders, Dunn, and Wright have all added their contributions to the theological boxing tournament seeking to knock out an understanding of justification (esp in Pauline Literature) that may be more informed and conditioned by the questions and circumstances of the Protestant Reformation than by seeking to understand what Paul himself really sought to […]
I made “Jesus Walks” so [I’m] never going to hell. –Kanye West, “Otis” Nothing says “fresh” like analyzing a subject of pop culture seven years after its release. But unfortunately, I didn’t have a blog seven years ago, and since Kanye West delivered the line above in a song from his new collaboration album with Jay-Z, I’m taking this as an opportunity to discuss the theology of “Jesus Walks.” At the time of its release, the […]
In continuation of Matt’s brief theology of Colossians, which focused on the nature of the Church’s new existence in Christ, this entry will focus on a major Christological theme of the letter. The main Christological message is summed up in the famous “Christ Hymn” of Col 1.15-20. Many interpreters of Colossians regard the hymnic material as influenced by Hellenistic-Jewish Wisdom traditions (cf. Philo, Wisdom of Solomon). However, I have argued in the Spring 2011 issue […]
The message of the gospel points us to a new possibility for life—nay, a new actuality of life. The divine fullness has entered into time, and history is bursting at the seams. As the world hurtled onward towards the abyss, God came bodily in Jesus Christ and embraced death and reprobation—“making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20). In the ultimate maniacal flourish, we made war with the creator. God defeated our opposition […]
Some links worth checking out: (By the way, if you’ve read (or written) a particularly fascinating or infuriating post during any given week, don’t hesitate to wing it over to us. We may include it here. Email: mattwilcoxen at gmail dot com) Ben Witherington III interviews N.T. Wright on Wright’s forthcoming translation of the New Testament. Kim Riddlebarger says the dichotomy of optimism vs. pessimism is not helpful for analyzing eschatologies. Dane Ortlund critiques pastors […]
I watched The Help this past weekend. It was a wonderful film and I think it has to be the early favorite for best picture. In fact, I find it nearly unfathomable that another movie would be able to beat it. If you have not already seen it, you should drop whatever you’re doing and head to the local cinema. It’s that good. Unlike my hipster friends, I really enjoy a film with a happy ending. […]
During the fall of 2007, the book Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity… and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman was hot off the press. I can still remember my peers telling me that they couldn’t wait to read it. As an employee at the Biola bookstore (what memories!), I figured I might as well give it a once over to see what it had to offer. I read one chapter. Hated […]
Having a high view of sin is crucial for sanctification. A high view of sin does not mean that you regard more things as sinful than actually are sinful. That would be legalism. Rather, it is the conscious effort to keep sin from becoming trivial. It is the removal of the frequent ‘but factor’ in the face of God’s commands (you are not the exception!). It is the self-control and humility to abstain from retorting […]
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