A challenge concerning the shooting at Newtown, CT: Sympathize before you Synthesize
Many of us were appalled with those who began talking about gun control, school security, and the effects of video games on America’s youth within hours of what some are calling the most tragic school shooting in American history. It just seemed insensitive. In our Single Focus Bible Study on Sunday morning–48 hours after the...
Some thoughts on Gospelization, Culturalization, and Contextualization
Since I haven’t posted in a while, I think I should say it, “No. I don’t have an ax to grind.” God has been good to me over the past few months and I am excited to get back into a regular cycle of sharing what he is doing in my heart and mind. I...
City Life: A Call to Action
Culture is shaped in the city. It’s true, you know. What happens in NYC, Chicago, and L.A. has a far-reaching impact on places like Dickson, Tookiedoo, and Indian Trail, but what happens in those small towns generally stays in those small towns. With few exceptions, culture shift flows from the city outward to the more...
Who are YOU listening to?
One of the things we discussed with our teens during E-TEAM is the need to saturate ourselves with God’s Truth so as to be able to discern truth from lies. In this spiritual warfare we are in, our enemy’s most powerful tool is deception. It has been so from the beginning, since the serpent deceived...
The Hunger Games: A Call to Think
Because of all the buzz about The Hunger Games with the movie release this weekend, a friend of mine asked me to blog about it. I have read the trilogy, and literarily I could write a tome on the subject. But I don’t think that would be helpful here. There is something you must know...
Thoughts on Whitney Houston’s Death
I was a big Whitney Houston fan when I was younger. But relax, I’m married. To a female. Who doesn’t know her song “I believe in you and me”? Such an incredible voice. Sadly, Houston was not only known for her amazing talent, but also for a drug and alcohol problem. Another note, and the...
Nintendo expects first loss ever!
Forget the trouble in the middle east – forget the the fall of the American economy – forget the European Union’s troubles – forget the growing anti-semitism that keeps showing up at the occupy wall street protests…everybody under 40 should see this as proof positive the world’s end is near!
Random Thoughts: Thursday
The D6 Conference is happening next Wednesday through Friday. I leave for Dallas on Monday in preparation. We’re doing some different things this year including live blogging and free live streaming of several sessions. For info, check this out. I recommend this especially to you pastors, student pastors, children’s pastors, and anyone interested in discipleship....
The Importance of Contextualization
We are busily preparing for a move to the mountains of North Carolina to attend the Center for Intercultural Training with our teammates. One of the textbooks we are reading in preparation for class opens with an excellent illustration on the importance of contextualization and cross-cultural training, so I thought I’d share it with you....
Keller, Chandler, Horton Video
Check out Matt Chandler, Michael Horton, and Tim Keller discussing the church’s role in culture (from The Gospel Coalition). Chandler, Horton, and Keller on the Church in Culture from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.
Where’s the Spooky Stuff?
Many people think that all happenings are the result of normal everyday processes. If a person falls in love with another person, then this happened because of the release of romance-inducing chemicals that cause us to have affectionate feelings towards others. If someone feels pain, then this happens because of a series of electrical, delivery...
Redemptive Analogies in Phantom of the Opera
I recently watched Phantom of the Opera with my 16-year-old sister-in-law, who had never seen it. When the movie credits started to roll, she said, “I don’t get it.” My brain, on the other hand, was about to explode. There is a thing in missiology called a “redemptive analogy.” Don Richardson first coined the term...
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