Geoffrey Holsclaw
As theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar says, “Most Christians are convinced that prayer is more than the outward performance of an obligation, in which we tell God things he already knows” (Prayer, 13). If prayer is more than an obligation, why do we pray? Why Pray? Well, we spontaneously pray when we are filled with […]
To the question, “Why pray?” I’ve heard the answer, “Because God commanded it.” This is pretty is pretty confusing, unsatisfying for me, and dangerous for the faith. Sure we can there are passages in the Bible that commands us to pray. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful […]
In his baptism, Jesus didn’t prove his sinlessness, his purity, his righteous, or wokeness (even though he was). Jesus was willing to be NUMBERED among the SINNERS. Will we do the same? In a time of self-esteem fortification and polarized vilification, we rarely admit we when we are wrong, that we are broken, that we—indeed—are […]
Wars and rumors of war are nothing new. On a dangerous journey at great cost to themselves, the Magi (Wise Men or Kings) were pressing through the difficult and the danger. They were looking for something. They were “seekers.” Or as some say, they were “searchers.” Aaron Bjerke notes the neglected “searcher” demographic. Seekers […]
Pentecost comes and goes so quickly. And we so quickly forget what we have received, trading our birthright for a bowl of porridge called power. Here are six kinds of power followers of Christ often seek after instead of the promise of Pentecost—the Holy Spirit. Many times these six work together, sometimes they compete with […]
Ok, insert here [right here] your favorite illustration about the need for balance. Something about riding a bike, learning to walk, or Luther’s example about not falling off a horse, or stacking rocks. Because that’s what I’m talking about here—the need to balance contending for the kingdom and consenting to the kingdom. In different church […]
bGrowing up, workaholism was a vice to avoid (at least, in theory). But now, workism has become its own religion of sorts—promising “identity, transcendence, and community.” This is the thesis of Derek Thompson of The Atlantic. Amid the decline of traditional faith in America (a claim I find dubious), Thompson suggests workism is an upstart […]