Evangelical Christians have a long history of highlighting climactic and decisive moments.  In our highly dramatized rhetoric we’ve stressed the need to be prepared to say just the right thing when the moment arises, to stand boldly for the faith when challenged or pressured to compromise. I grew up hearing this sort of preaching all […]

I’ve been considering the question of whether or not Christian athletes should use their well-knownness as a “platform” to speak about Christian faith. I’ve indicated that I think they should not do this.  I’ll elaborate on a third consideration here and in a subsequent post turn to some constructive comments about how well-known athletes can […]

I do not think it’s a good idea for Christian public figures to use their well-knownness as a “platform” for Christian testimony for a second reason. Such a strategy partakes of the same dynamics as modern advertising. Modern advertising works by inviting consumers to participate in some kind of desirable reality that has little or […]

In response to a few recent posts, my friend Haddon raised the question, Should Christian athletes (or other well-known Christians) use their stature as a “platform” to speak about Christian faith? I tend to think that they should not.  I don’t have the final word on this, but I think this way for several reasons. First, the character of […]

There’s a common assumption among evangelical Christians that all public Christian speech or all public speech that involves the Bible is an unmixed good.  In fact, there’s something powerful about Christian talk that borders on magical. This is based on a number of Bible passages, but most specifically Isaiah 55:11 in which the God of […]

Tim Tebow and the resurgent Denver Broncos have become one of the biggest stories of the past few months in sports.  The Broncos began the season at 1-4, but since installing Tebow as their starting quarterback, they are 6-2. Tebow doesn’t fit the mold of a typical NFL quarterback and he’s outspoken about his Christian […]

The choir sang this today in church.  It was beautiful. Gabriel’s message does away Satan’s curse and Satan’s sway, out of darkness brings our day: so behold, all the gates of heaven unfold.   He that comes despised shall reign; he that cannot die, be slain; death by death its death shall gain: so behold, […]

*Originally given at Midtown Christian Community, Dec. 18, 2010 Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. […]

I was reading through the little letter of Jude the other day to prepare for a class on apocalyptic literature.  Having cruciform leadership on my mind, I was struck by Jude’s strong rhetoric of judgment for leaders who are selfishly ambitious. He warns against ungodly leaders who are driven by ambition, leading them into all […]

Paul writes his letter to Philemon asking him to receive Onesimus, to welcome him back.  We don’t know exactly what has happened, but there has been some rupture between Philemon and Onesimus, leaving Philemon inclined to do the opposite. We may safely assert a few other things about the situation Paul addresses, but I’d like to just […]