Letter 13 Themes: Genuine repentance; pains and pleasures; individualism; increased apathy towards goodness.
Letter 14 Themes: Genuine humility; pride; false modesty; self-forgetfulness; anguishing too much over sin.
Letter 15 Themes: Anxiety about the future; living in the “real” present with eternity in mind; exaggerated optimism.
This gospel, as titled, is attributed to Lucan authorship “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14) and companion of Paul (2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 24). Its composition is typically placed in the later part of the first century, depending on the source and approach to placing Luke in its historical context though an actual date is not clear. Luke is widely accepted as the third of the four canonical Gospels. This Gospel, like the others,…
From the book: “Resident Aliens – A Provocative Christian Assessment of Culture and Ministry for People Who Know That Something is Wrong.” By Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon. In this chapter, we will discuss three different perspectives of what the church is within the world and our author’s challenge to each of these. The…
From the book: “Resident Aliens – A Provocative Christian Assessment of Culture and Ministry for People Who Know That Something is Wrong.” By Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon. Preface “The church is a colony, an island of one culture in the middle of another.” (p. 12) The poem No Man Is an Island by…
By Thomas Jay Oord and Michael Lodahl This study calls us to center our understanding and practice of Christian holiness where John Wesley did – in the love of God and neighbor. It also highlights Wesley’s wisdom about the vital role of spiritual practices in nurturing and shaping this love. Relational Holiness offers insight and evidence…
Letter 7 Themes: Materialism (evolutionary thinking), skepticism, belief in demons; factions and cliques; spiritual distraction through social causes, movements, or policies. Letter 8 Themes: Ups and downs of spiritual life; growing during the dry times; the walk of faith and obedience. Letter 9 Themes: Spiritually dry times; sensual temptations during these times; the enticements and…
By Brett McCracken It’s easy to dream about the “perfect” church–a church that sings just the right songs set to just the right music before the pastor preaches just the right sermon to a room filled with just the right mix of people who happen to agree with you on just about everything. Chances are…