I recently edited and saw published a book, Why We Stayed, and it has been a thrilling experience. I was unsure of how it would be received, and not surprisingly not everyone is a fan. I anticipated Conservatives among Churches of … Continued
I use big words in sermons. Sometimes I even use them correctly. I also talk about philosophical concepts and theological principles. I do this without remorse. I know this runs against the current fashion of preaching methods, but as it … Continued
I recently attended a conference on preaching which included a passionate discussion about a person’s call to preach. My own experience with the concept of calling has been different from what I hear from others, so I thought I would … Continued
In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon sieged and would ultimately sack the city of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 32:1-3). During the siege, Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned by the Hebrew king Zedekiah, likely as a scapegoat for the a desperate royal court. Jeremiah had … Continued
What takes place in Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 would be a rare sight in our American culture. It is an example of national mourning. For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has … Continued
I try hard not to embrace national pessimism, the polemic attitude that says “the other guys” are ruining the country. I don’t even like to think that our country is beneath the headsman’s axe, beyond all hope. I certainly do … Continued
“Like the potter and the clay.” It is a metaphor as common in Christian speech as almost any other. It is derived from this little scene in Jeremiah. The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Arise, and go … Continued
Our nation is not subjecting itself to God, but neither is it godless. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. (Jeremiah 2:11). Certainly … Continued
The secular state has worked hard over the last few centuries to push faith out of the public square and into a private closet. This is done in two ways that ought not to be confused. First, the church was extracted … Continued
I recently had the opportunity to interact with Daniel Johnson, a researcher examining the life and work of Isaac Watts. In the Church of Christ, we still rely heavily on hymns, including many of those written by Isaac Watts, such … Continued