Why It Is Important to Identify with the Persecuted Church: 3 More Reasons

In my prior blog post, I noted that there are at least 5 reasons all Christians should identify with persecution. First, the New Testament says that all Christians will be persecuted, and the persecution could take several different forms, from the mild mocking and name-calling to the more severe imprisonment and execution. Second, Christians are united... Continue Reading →

April 16, 2014 5

Don’t Read This …Unless You’re Ready to Count the Cost of Discipleship

Since my friend Don Whitney posted a Tweet about this incident in Somalia, I have been unable to stop thinking about the sober reality of Christian faith. The world hated Jesus Christ when He ministered among men. And the world hates him still. There is a robust theological heritage in Christianity which asserts that humans... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2014 1

Noisy Saints Need Ears to Hear

"He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Rev. 2:7). I am a football fan. And I am a Christian. Therefore, as any good Christian ought, I cheer for the Saints! The Apostle Paul blesses the churches at Ephesus and Colosse because of their love for... Continue Reading →

December 13, 2013 2

Should Christians Flee Persecution?

In June of 1982, The Clash released (on Cassette) their only song to reach #1, the punk rock classic, “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” The song was neither toward nor about anyone in particular. Its staying power rests on its ability to speak to so many situations in general. It even speaks (in... Continue Reading →

December 3, 2013 1

From Conversation to Revelation

Several years ago, when I was first contemplating a Ph.D., I did what most judicious students would do. I visited different seminaries and universities and thought through all my options. On one of my visits, I ran across an older, seasoned sage of academic endeavors. Our conversation turned out to be most refreshing. ... Continue Reading →

July 23, 2013 2

Adoption Yearning

Any pastor worth his salt (as the saying goes) must, at times, identify with the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel was more than a preacher to God’s suffering people—he was a vicarious enactment of their plight, having to lay siege against Jerusalem (Chapter 4); eat “unclean” food; pack his bags for exile (Chapter 12), and lose his... Continue Reading →