What Should Be the Minimum Theological Threshold for a Pastor?
Imagine you’re going into surgery tomorrow for a medical procedure. What would be the absolute minimum threshold of surgical expertise needed? Applied to a church, what is an appropriate theological baseline for pastors?
Does Your Church Service Feel Like a Funeral?
Some of us like more melancholy environments. We also may feel allergic to environments that feel “fake happy.” I understand the sentiment and still believe it’s worth asking if that’s how it should be. This post unpacks the atonement theory of Christus Victor to make a case for normative celebration in our church services.
Don’t Miss the Ultimate Benefit of Christianity’s “Salvation”
Forgiveness from the penalty of sins. Freedom from the power of sin. Freedom from the presence of sin in eternity. These are incredible benefits to what Christianity has called “salvation.” And yet these are not the greatest benefit of getting saved. There is still one privilege that surpasses them all.
“Wait, So Why Did Jesus Have To Die?”
This was the question an individual recently asked me. What if I told you that Jesus as our substitute is utterly foundational to what makes Christianity good news? Rip out the idea of Jesus as our substitute who makes atonement for our sins? It’s akin to ripping out the very foundation of a house which will no longer be able to stand.
Is “Gospel-Centeredness” Still Relevant in a Post-Everything, Spiritual Formation World?
Gospel centrality, the thought that the work of Christ—His death and resurrection—as being foundational and the lens through which we understand all things discipleship used to be popular. Is this still relevant in the current life of the church? Or is this now an outdated question in light of cultural shifts?