I just finished reading NT Wright’s new book. It is fantastic. Wright engages in a biblical discussion of life, death and heaven, and relates it around the theme of the resurrection of Jesus. He challenges us to move beyond a shallow understanding of the mission of the church by encouraging an embracing [...]

This is the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. For us who have been around the church for awhile, it is a rather familiar story. We refer to this story when we discuss evangelism—meeting people where they are, caring enough to confront, beginning with a non-threatening question (about water). We also refer [...]

From time to time we all meet devout people whose religion consists of a list of do’s and don’ts – with the emphasis on the don’ts. They have a litmus test for everything, which they apply to the actions of other people more than to themselves. Some religious legalists live by a long and comprehensive [...]

Buy this book! Read this book! then Act–in the name of Jesus. Jim Wallis has just written The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America. It is an excellent book. Following on the heels of McLaren’s Everything Must Change, Wallis reminds us that being followers of Jesus, being the church means that [...]

David Olson’s The American Church in Crisis (Zondervan) is a wake up call to the American institutional church. Olson’s research shows that, in spite of some appearances, all is not well with established churches. If the church is going to make a difference in contemporary culture, something must change. This book begins [...]

This text focuses on Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Chronologically, Jesus has been baptized. His identity and vocation have been affirmed. Now he is led by the Spirit into the bleak Judean wilderness. Jesus is tested three times regarding making fast food, bungee jumping without a rope, just a little worship of the [...]