Homeward Bound

I have been wondering recently if social media is worth it. I am sure it is worth it for some people who have been gifted with a platform and the needed wisdom to use the medium well. Social media like most any tool is neutral territory; it is how one uses its powerful functions which determine its suitability for use. Here is my recent thought process on why, for me, the cons seem to outweigh the pros: Pros: 1) I can get a heartbeat of the culture and what is going on in the world.  Perhaps my chief use of social media (largely Twitter) is that I am able to follow theologians, politicians, and other social commentators I respect, and see what they are saying about the events and ideas of the world. Because it is all in real time, it can be helpful to hear what others are saying the moment after something happens. I also use social media to get a feel for what people are into and the questions people are asking. As Christians I believe we need to be listening to the cultu

There is a major emphasis in our world at large on leadership, self-improvement, overcoming obstacles, and finding the best version of yourself. Achieving goals and actualizing dreams. You are familiar with the messaging I am sure. It is no surprise to me that such ideas have for a while existed in our modern, Western Christianity. There is enough overlap between the “modern motivationalism” and the New Testament statements of “life abundant” and “be ye transformed”, that the former can be easily conflated with the latter, provided there is a slight cherry picking of the Bible verses to satisfy the majority of the evangelical masses. Many of us see no contradiction in the two messages, and our Christianity is thus shaped by the surrounding culture. The difference between the two is subtle, but nevertheless foundational. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full! But this fullness can only be experienced if we let go of ourselves. If we lose ourselves that we migh

It is natural as people learn and progress in their faith for them to gravitate to the teachings and developments of others. The Christian tradition has a wealth of material to glean from—from theological systems, to ancient controversies, to interpretations of challenging texts, to foundational doctrines—much of which the modern Christian can ground himself in, to much personal benefit. It is my personal opinion that the anti-intellectualism and simplistic epithets of modern evangelicalism could profit much from an immersion in the robust thought of those Christians who have gone before us. With that introductory caveat, I want to address the temptation many of us have to allow this rich tradition to supplant the primary place of the Scripture. I have noticed many days pass where I have read much of a certain Puritan or Reformer and read absolutely nothing of the actual Bible. What a mistake! There are days when I read what is often very good, but neglect to feed myself what is ne

Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorite preachers of all time. Over the years I have listened to scores of his messages on sermon audio and youtube, as well as read several collections in book form. This collection from the early years of Lloyd-Jones ministry is as good as any other I have read. There is a simplicity to these early messages at Aberavon. They each go directly to the heart of the matter: how is one to find salvation from the wrath of God against sin? True to form, Lloyd-Jones does not waste a word in extraneous thought or light jocularity. Each sermon is desperate in scope, each dealing with the deep severity of eternity. What makes these especially prescient is Lloyd-Jones was preaching these messages to primarily “churched” people: individuals who had a degree of Biblical literacy and a high morality. The Doctor was convinced that many who call themselves Christians in his day were not actually saved, and these messages were often targeting that class of nomina