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
I had a classmate in graduate school, a young black minister. After the class read Cone’s The Cross and The Lynching Tree, he reluctantly related to us the conversation that every black father has with their son. “You will be … Continued