Every Nation under Heaven: Biblical Nationalism III
In two previous essays, I explored the nature of national identity through God’s work creating nations at the Tower of Babel, forcing the children of Noah to fulfill His command to fill the earth, and then His crafting of a single nation from the man Abraham. Though we could draw much more from the Old Testament on the nature of nations (I recommend giving attention to the book of Isaiah), we turn to Acts 2 in the New Testament in...
God’s Means of Grace in the Preached Word
by Ed Goode Have you ever been bored in church? Of course you have. Have you ever gone home and scrolled through Facebook wishing the preacher at your church was more engaging, the band was more rockin’, and the kids’ program more entertaining? This experience can be a challenge for the church shopper and the committed member, the seasoned pastor and the first-time planter, the new youth guy and everyone in between. What do we do when...
The Path to Human Happiness: Fear God and Keep His Commandments
Life can be incredibly fun and meaningful, and it can be incredibly hard and frustrating. Sometimes we feel great, and sometimes we feel deeply discouraged. Sometimes we believe we make a difference, and sometimes we wonder whether we matter at all. In many ways, such conflicting feelings describe the human condition. In this article, I reflect on the interplay of these ideas in the book of Ecclesiastes. On one hand, the Teacher, the...
Recommended Books (Spring 2024)
Setting plans for your summer vacation, and need some good reads to take with you? Weary of reading the same old genre for work or school? We would like to recommend some fresh options for you from our recent reading. Some of our latest favorite reads were just published, while others are hundreds of years old. Regardless, we think you will find something of benefit here. Below, you will find reading suggestions from our group that...
Saturday Night Sinnin’, Sunday Morning Salvation: The Life and Legacy of Johnny Cash
by Daniel Mann One of Johnny Cash’s closest friends referred to him as a “walking contradiction, partly truth and partly fiction,” and a cursory exploration of his life proves this statement.[1] Cash spent his early years as a son and soldier before embarking on a musical career as a performer and poet. Off stage, he was an addict and adulterer while seeking to maintain his religious persona as a Christian. No wonder his only son...
Light and Heat: A Balance for Ministry
I have had the privilege over the past decade to serve in ministerial and academic roles. Prior to becoming a college instructor, I was a full-time youth and family pastor. In 2014, I was hired at Welch College to lead their program in Youth and Family Ministry. Shortly thereafter, I became the Campus Pastor at Welch and began serving my local congregation in a part-time position as their youth and family pastor. To be on both sides...
Recent Comments