economics, finances, hope, Jesus, teachings of, lists, priorities, salvation, success
Today is not looking like it will be an encouraging day for financial markets around the world, and predictably this news cycle will probably be dominated by ominous financial news. This is a difficult time for many, but doesn’t need to be cause for hopelessness or...
ethics, Holy Spirit, priorities, spiritual warfare
In a section of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians explaining how Christians should handle the freedom they have in Christ, there is a very practical contrast of two modes of life: walking by the Spirit and walking according to the flesh. Paul introduces the...
Holy Spirit, Jesus, deity of, Jesus, resurrection of, Jesus, sonship of, theology
While the Holy Spirit has an incredible ministry directly to believers, that is certainly not His only role. Before the Spirit’s present ministry in the church, He also interacted with Christ in several profound ways. As we understand the relationship of Christ and...
epistemology, hermeneutics, Holy Spirit, theology
The theological term most commonly used by theologians to express the role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical understanding is illumination. While the term isn’t directly used of the Holy Spirit, the concept is present, for example in John 1:5 and 1:9, “The Light shines...
church polity, ecclesiology, news
Radio interview with the David Spoon Experience (KPRZ) on the launch of SDF, the importance of having a church home, and the difference between making meals and bringing people into the kitchen....
diversity, ecclesiology, Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts
Presented to the SCS Faculty Symposium on the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts, July 27, 2015 Introduction While not the only passage on the topic, 1 Corinthians 13 is a pivotal context on the issue of whether or not the revelatory gifts continue for the...
epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy, worldview
There are four major areas of philosophical inquiry that make up the basic components of worldview: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and socio-political philosophy. Epistemology (the study of knowledge) addresses the question of how can know what is true and what is...
ecclesiology, spiritual gifts, theology
There are four major Biblical contexts that discuss what we commonly refer to as spiritual gifts. In chronological order, they are 1 Corinthians 12-14, Romans 12:1-8, Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, and 1 Peter 4:10-11. It is notable that the explanations of spiritual...
ethics, grace, philosophy, same-sex marriage, sexuality
From evolving societal perceptions of gender and sexuality and from newly adjusted legal definitions of marriage emanating from SCOTUS emerge significant complications for churches and other faith-based organizations. As a result, there has recently been a wave...
church polity, ecclesiology, leadership, success
For some unidentifiable reason I enjoy tormenting students with an important albeit slippery theological and philosophical question. What is good? As you might imagine, the answers I get are quite diverse. One student recently responded by citing an online dictionary...
