Category: Christianity

The Gospel in “Hamilton”?

My wife and I joined thousands (perhaps millions) of others across the country this summer in watching the musical, "Hamilton," for the first time when it was released on the streaming platform, Disney+. Having grown up in the rural Midwest and the Bible-belt, I was pretty familiar with much of the story, including Hamilton's ill-fated … Continue reading The Gospel in “Hamilton”? →

Social Justice: A Worthy Cause and a Terrible God

On Wednesday this past week, a theology professor at Fuller Seminary tweeted the following: "I tried organized religion... too preachy/ too conformist/ too much 'us vs them'..." Yet instead of pasty white middle-aged men with tucked in, button-down shirts and women with dresses down to their ankles, the picture below featured an angry mob of … Continue reading Social Justice: A Worthy Cause and a Terrible God →

The “United Methodists” Are No Longer United

What's Going On? Yesterday, the United Methodist Church made headlines by announcing that a taskforce of both conservative and liberal factions within the UMC have reached a settlement to part ways, with a new theologically conservative denomination branching off. For the past several years, the country's largest mainline denomination and second-largest Protestant denomination (second only … Continue reading The “United Methodists” Are No Longer United →

The Both/And of Christian Witness (Part II)

This past Christmas, popular conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey revisted an old debate on her Twitter page, retorting: “Does the person claiming Jesus was a poor refugee also believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth & the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him? Do they hold the Word of God … Continue reading The Both/And of Christian Witness (Part II) →

Billy Graham and Cultural Engagement: A Lesson to Christians

I'm not sure I would be here if it wasn't for Billy Graham. I don't say that as a matter of mere sentiment, but as an objective observation. Although Millennials such as myself have only lived in the twilight years of Billy Graham's life and ministry, his influence on previous generations has reverberated down to … Continue reading Billy Graham and Cultural Engagement: A Lesson to Christians →

“What does it mean to be a Confessional (Millennial) Christian?” Part 2: A Contemporary Perspective

In the previous post, I gave a historical perspective on "What it means to be a confessional Christian", not least of which is to confess "Christ crucified". But being a confessional Christian doesn't just have a past, historical component to it. It also includes a present, cultural-contextual component...and it has relevance for us today.  To be … Continue reading “What does it mean to be a Confessional (Millennial) Christian?” Part 2: A Contemporary Perspective →

Being a Confessing Millennial in the 21st Century, Part 2

[This is a "companion piece" of sorts to blog-post #4]  Which Holy Grail? My childhood hero was Indiana Jones, and my favorite film in that series is (obviously) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, in which Indy is searching for the mythical Holy Grail, the one of Monty Python fame. One of the last scenes  of the … Continue reading Being a Confessing Millennial in the 21st Century, Part 2 →

Ode to Kierkegaard

I have entered what you could call a distinctly "Kierkegaardian" season of my life. What do I mean by that? Well, first, let me introduce the object of today's spotlight: 19th century Danish existential philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard, who constantly challenged the status quo of his day. If you want to get your mental … Continue reading Ode to Kierkegaard →