While keeping Christmas and Advent as separate, although closely linked, seasons has been quite the challenge, we are embracing the path and reaping benefits already!
I Heard The Bells
Though I have heard excellent renditions and reworkings of it, the original melody is nowhere near as solemn and hopeful as it should be—especially after contemplation of its words.
Christmas Music That Doesn't Suck
If you are hosting, the music should have people leaving by around the 2 hour mark.
Denominationalism and Racism
For Leithart's vision of a unified church, latent racism and individualism — to a certain extent congregationalism — are unacceptable within the church.
What to Read About Barth
Outside of concern about my feelings towards Barth's view of inerrancy, the only question I receive more often is what books I recommend reading.
Freed for Confrontation
How Christian forgiveness looks in the real world cannot be reduced to a formula. Or if only, the formula must be called Christian faith. Mutual confession of faith in Christ and the faithfulness of His Spirit is the path of reconciliation.
Defining Protestantism
People are reading Leithart under the presumption that he has all the answers. But he never claims such. He sees the unification of the church as a pneumatological event.
The Necessity of Reconciliation
When Christians focus on reconciliation, they must look outside of themselves to the active work of Christ. The example found in Jesus Christ removes the judgment of self-justification and false, self-gratifying forgiveness.
How Exposure Undermines Discipline
Brokenness is not a treasure. We carry the treasure in broken vessels. It is not an opportunity to have a new conversion story every week. Brokenness is a gift from God in the re-creation of His people and the re-formation of the Second Adam's wife — the church.
Music Review: Pontiac
Who uses cello on a country album? Lyle Lovett. Who makes a song about shooting your sweetheart's new husband sound otherworldly beautiful? Lyle Lovett.
Pandering to Racism
As a minority, I hate racism for obvious reasons. But shifting the focus of a political loss to backlash of progress for people of color is foul and divisive.
Mistakenly Homeless
In his defense, I had a beard that extended close to my chest. I also had hair that was quite disheveled for its length.
Our Best Course of Action
Do not despise the little things and remember that there is no quick fix — only long obedience in the same direction
Music Review: Ruminations
Still only 36 years of age, one can only hope that Conor Oberst has more years of music writing left in him.
Forgiving is not Forgetting
Forgetfulness implies that our history is irrelevant to the redemption of God. It almost suggests our time in this temporalness is something God merely wishes to whisk away through the cross.
Music Review: Awkward Annie
If you are already listening to Celtic Women, please stop. Buy this instead.
Karbach and Texas Craft Beer
I haven't consumed my last Karbach. But I certainly have purchased my last. I can't remember what it was. And today, that doesn't bother me in the least.
Music Review: Weightless
If Weightless is any indication, Liz Longley will be one of the better female songwriter artists for a number of decades to come.
