I’ve often heard the token phrase that “Christianity is not a religion it’s a relationship.” However, I’ve often been quite perplexed by this phrase because it seems dismissive of the thought and articulation of the Christian Faith throughout Church History. Christianity begins with the ministry and life of Jesus Christ upon the foundation of theContinue reading “Christ the Center of True Religion”
Category Archives: theology
The Distinct Obligations of a University Pastor
The Distinct Obligations of the University Pastor Youth Pastor, Young Adults Pastor, College Pastor, Campus Minister, and University Chaplain, these are the titles most frequently utilized to cover the branch of ministry in which undergraduate students may be typically located. However, there is little consideration of the varying undergraduate contexts that such a pastoral positionContinue reading “The Distinct Obligations of a University Pastor”
Scripture, Holiness, and Ritual
This is a synthesis of my observations emanating from the contemplation of numerous texts over the past 12 months. The Foundation of Faith: Scriptures to be considered: 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Peter 1:1-4; Romans 8:1-11 The Death and Resurrection of Christ is the foundation of the Christian Religion. The task of the Disciple is notContinue reading “Scripture, Holiness, and Ritual”
Spirit of Early Christian Thought PT. 5
“Only by yielding to God and giving ourselves to the object of our search can we know the God we seek.” This singular statement forces a pause for serious reflection. Located in the 4th chapter of Wilken’s work this statement conceptualizes a particularly interesting reality in the life of the Christian. We cannot master God,Continue reading “Spirit of Early Christian Thought PT. 5”
Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 4
The third chapter of Wilkin’s work is entitled “The Face of God for now” and is pulled from a quote from St. Augustine which says, “For now, treat the Scripture of God as the face of God. Melt in its presence.” This is reflective of ideas we have dealt with previously regarding the notion ofContinue reading “Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 4”
Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 3
In this installment of the series on Robert Wilken’s “The Spirit of Early Christian Thought, ” we will be exploring a key quote from chapter 2 which is titled: An Awesome and Unbloody Sacrifice. “The Liturgy provided a kind of grammar of Christian speech, a key to how the words of the Bible are toContinue reading “Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 3”
Foundations For Life
“You become what you give your attention to”- Epictetus Originally, this post was going to be focused on an idea I brought up in my second reflection on the Spirit of Early Christian Thought, however, after having a rather long conversation with my wonderful editor and close friend, I realized that this post would serveContinue reading “Foundations For Life”
Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 2
Chapter 1: “Christian thinkers were not in the business of establishing something; their task was to understand and explain something.” pg 3. In the introductory post to this series, I referred you to 1 Corinthians 15:13-17, which is effectively a statement of the lynchpin of Christianity: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Wilken identifiesContinue reading “Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 2”
The Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 1
“The solemn work with which the Christian ministry concerns itself demands a man’s all, and that all at its best. To engage in it half-heartedly is an insult to God and man.” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students Volume 1, 1875) This quote by Spurgeon is perhaps the best that I can provide toContinue reading “The Spirit of Early Christian Thought Pt. 1”
Navigating Moral Disgust
Maybe, just maybe, there is some way to faithfully walk through the chaotic storm of emotions and thoughts that come with the feeling of disgust, especially moral disgust. That horrible storm of pseudo-guilt, sorrow, anger, bitterness, frustration, outrage, and above all the soul-splitting disquiet that rages up from the depths of our emotional being whenContinue reading “Navigating Moral Disgust”
In Step With God 