Tag: passion

The American Gospel and the meaning of Easter
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Originally posted April 6, 2012

Statistically, we know that the vast majority of Americans believe in some form of a higher power. There are relatively few who are atheists. Since people do believe that there is something, and since it’s so easy to think of the majority of Americans as Christians, many simply attach themselves to Christianity.

But what does it mean? Christianity?

For so many, we call ourselves Christians but then never pray, or read the Bible, or go to church, or experience fellowship with other believers, or show any actual desire to have a relationship with Jesus. Without these, how can a person be Christian?

(more…)
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March 30, 2018
Jesus: cross-examined
Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons @Claudio Ungari

Originally published September 21, 2016

We see symbols everyday. Symbols of peace, strength, royalty, and victory.

Within Christianity, there is no greater symbol than the cross, something so obvious that we take it for granted. Something so pervasive, so associated with Christianity that we might not even question it.

But why is the cross the symbol?

Doubtless there could have been other symbols used. (more…)
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February 1, 2018
Murders, mobs, dictators and the gospel
(originally posted March 7, 2016)

In the gospel of Matthew, when Jesus was before the ruling Jewish council, he made a reference to his divine status. To the ruling council, this was taken as blasphemy. Within Rome, they didn’t have the authority to execute Jesus for his action, so they took him to Pontius Pilate, who was the governor of Judea

Pilate questions Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. (Matthew 27:11-14). (more…)
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March 30, 2017
The American Gospel and the meaning of Easter
Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Originally posted April 6, 2012
Statistically, we know that the vast majority of Americans believe in some form of a higher power. There are relatively few who are atheists. Since people do believe that there is something, and since it’s so easy to think of the majority of Americans as Christians, many simply attach themselves to Christianity.

But what does it mean? Christianity?

For so many, we call ourselves Christians but then never pray, or read the Bible, or go to church, or experience fellowship with other believers, or show any actual desire to have a relationship with Jesus. Without these, how can a person be Christian?

(more…)
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March 25, 2016
The Passion: gospel musical on Fox
Fox aired “The Passion” tonight which was the passion narrative in a contemporary setting, told with popular music. Songs from groups and artists like Whitney Houston, Jason Mraz, Imagine Dragons, Creed, and Jewell were featured. I think it’s helpful to see that popular songs can carry deep Spiritual themes. In a culture that is becoming increasingly less Biblically literate, it’s interesting to tell the story in this way.

All truth comes from God. When music or movies tap into these realities, I don’t think we should turn away. We should embrace these things. For some, this approach will seem too worldly. But let us remember that Fox is a television network and not a church. (more…)
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March 20, 2016