One is certainly allowed to disagree with the analysis of Calvin. But perhaps it would be wise to acknowledge his warning about those with "an extreme fondness for disputation."
In The Bleak Midwinter
All in all, In the Bleak Midwinter does not provide some deep Christian theology or truth. Just a quiet, sober reminder of the state of earth (in its darkness) and the state of Christ (in His infancy) at the dawn of "Christmas."
Book Review: A Shared Mercy
Jon Coutts has provided the church with a new platform to conceive of forgiveness and reconciliation. A Shared Mercy does not answer every question that church ministry will ask, but it provides the church a theology to repeal efforts of sins to disrupt Christ's body.
coming around to Christmas
I have no particular vision for what our Christmases are going to look like in the future, and so I may steal your family's best ideas. You've been warned. Now pass the eggnog.
Why "This Is War" Is My Favorite Christmas Tune
At the time I first listened to it, I'd never heard a Christmas song quite like it. And I haven't since.
Keeping Advent
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.