“I am convinced that if you want to see an increase in hope, understanding, and unity amid the engulfing mercilessness of today — indeed, if you want to communicate anything approaching grace — you must begin with a low anthropology.” … Continue reading The Key to a Gracious View of People | Influence Podcast
When I drive home from work, I often see a guy at the bottom of the off-ramp holding a cardboard help-me sign. I rarely carry cash, so I have none to give him. Still, I do my best to avoid … Continue reading Low Anthropology | Book Review
The life and ministry of Charles Fox Parham (1873–1929) pose a dilemma to Pentecostals: On the one hand, he was an important leader in the early years of the Pentecostal revival. On the other hand, he was a morally flawed … Continue reading Charles Fox Parham | Book Review
Stories about the rise of the “Nones,” that share of the American populace which identifies with no religion, give the impression that religion in America is in steep decline. “What they fail to report,” writes David Zahl, “is that the … Continue reading The Booming Marketplace of Replacement Religions | Influence Podcast
“There is power available to you that can unlock your soul and all of its hidden longings,” writes John Lindell—“the buried hopes of the past, the strength needed for the moment, and the dreams for a beautiful future. That is the power of the best news: the gospel is able to change your life at this moment, even now.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with John Lindell about this power, which is the power of God’s grace. Lindell is pastor of James River Church, a multisite congregation in Springfield, Missouri. He is devoted to seeing the local … Continue reading Why Grace Is More Liberating Than You Believe | Influence Podcast
If people know anything about the prophet Jonah, they know he was swallowed by a big fish. Consequently, because we live in an anti-miraculous age, people tend to dismiss Jonah’s story as just another fish story, the product of an ancient, credulous imagination. That dismissal is a shame, for the Book of Jonah tells a story with a timely message for people who live, as we do, in a moment of resurging nationalism. The timeliness of that message is evident throughout The Prodigal Prophet by Timothy Keller. The book grew out of a series of expository sermons Keller preached at various … Continue reading The Prodigal Prophet | Book Review
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 2:21–40 Several years ago, I was working at a church in Costa Mesa, California. For Pastor Appreciation Day, the church gave each staff member a generous gift card to a nearby restaurant. Two or three weeks … Continue reading The Hardest Part | Luke 2:21-40
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 1:67–80. Whether the songs are sacred or secular, Christmas is a singing season. In the Gospel of Luke, we read the original four Christmas songs: Mary’s “Magnficat” (1:46–56), Zechariah’s “Benedictus” (1:67–80), the angels’ “Gloria” (2:8–14), … Continue reading What Christ Redeems Us From and To | Luke 1:67-80
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 1:57–66. In this passage, Zechariah emerges from nine months of silence with an important message. We will see what that important message is in a moment, but it might be helpful first to remember why … Continue reading Grace, Faith and Obedience | Luke 1:57-66
Today’s Scripture reading: Luke 1:23–25 “You should be ashamed of yourself” is one of the most powerful combinations of words in the English language, both for good and for evil. At best, those six words shake people out of their … Continue reading The Antidote to Shame | Luke 1:23-25
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