I can’t stop thinking about the storming of the Capitol. Of Christian nationalism. How we need Christian leaders and Christians in the pews who reject a love of power and instead do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. These Christians do exist. I know many. But I am praying God raises up more, who do not equate the way of Jesus with the right or the left but rather know Scripture and …
A Christian Response to Ophelia Benson – “God is merciful, but only if you’re a man”
This post is written by my friend and fellow seminary classmate, Hallie Charbogian. She's from Wisconsin and is a graduate from Taylor University. She's a gifted writer of songs, spoken word, poetry, and theology. Hallie hopes to be in ministry in the future. In her article entitled, “God is merciful, but only if you’re a man,” Ophelia Benson writes: “[T]he truth is that the God many …
A Hope that Cannot Die
Our church had its first service in five months today. One service has split to two, members are spread out across the room, and many more are still only gathering online. Only communion bread is taken, and the Illinois breeze pours through the open windows in place of air conditioning. Many of these changes have caused me to grieve. The waves of suffering have felt almost unbearable. Jesus’ …
A Lament Over Unanswered Prayer
I’ve found myself in the lament Psalms again. I love the lament Psalms because they give me words to pray; and I’m frustrated with them for the same reason. They’re prayers I’d rather not need to speak. But I’ve learned that God meets us in both lament and thanksgiving, both grief and joy. Father, when I see answered prayers and all the ways you work in others’ lives, I feel like I’ve …
A Reflection on Death
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death. -Psalm 13:3 Long ago, the first man and the first woman were considered by God. They asked, and God answered. Their eyes only knew light, from the God who said let there be light, and death was a word without definition. But stunned by something they’d be better off without, their blameless bodies bit …
It Was the Woman Who Was Deceived: 1 Timothy 2:11-15
1 Timothy 2:11-15 11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue …
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