David Guretzki has provided a friendly and inviting introduction for people who have only the faintest idea of who Karl Barth even is.
Less Internet, More Me
Hopefully, in seeing less of me online, you'll see more of me in general.
Why You Should Consider Living Where God Has Placed You
Ultimately, worshiping the Maker of Heaven and Earth is not about - or at - our convenience.
Social Gospel #smh
Whew ... I'm ready to get the organ fired up & ask the Pentecostals to do some cartwheels in the isles.
Barth on Knowledge on Sin
Understanding this, Barth the preacher rarely ever presents "law" before "gospel." For it is only in the grace of the gospel that one can respond to the former reality found in the law.
Barth on the Corporeal Resurrection
"It would be sad if theology were trying to facilitate things and invent a Christianity without Christ's resurrection. And if we should find it difficult to believe, rather than modifying the message let us pray God that he gives us faith, through his Holy Spirit." — Karl Barth
Barth's Christmas: Prayer not Anxiety
Christians are not permitted to sit on their hands or twiddle their thumbs. There is a positive action that the Christian can take. This is where Barth's reoccurring but never entirely dominate view on prayer sneaks into view. Prayer remains an action for the Christian to communicate dependence upon God—it is an anti-anxiety action.
Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
It's easy to become accustomed to the miracles told in Scripture - this song helps me take a step back and be once again filled with awe.
Mary And The Church
It is good and right to enjoy the image of Mary and Eve gathering around the promised Seed. It is right to see that in the power of the Holy Spirit and Incarnate son, the church—Mary—crushes the serpent.
When Advent Goes Awry
Can I tell you a secret I uncovered this past week? Christ’s coming is undiminished by our lack of acknowledgment and/or celebration.
John Calvin on the Perpetual Virginity of Mary
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.