Theology is primarily seen as the activity of professors and pastors, and occasionally a world that is entered into by normal people on Sunday mornings. But theology isn’t primarily an academic exercise and theology isn’t primarily about Sunday mornings. Good theology matters on Monday morning.
Our culture is enamored with the next big thing. And I know that I’m no exception. I’ve stood in my fair share of lines for the newest iPhone, have spent time reading blogs for rumors of the latest technological advances, and have contemplated how to upgrade an old device for a newer, slightly faster version.
There’s this odd conversation that Jesus has in John 16 in which Jesus encourages the disciples as he talks about the work of the Holy Spirit. What makes this so odd, is what we understand about the life of the disciples for the past three years.
What do you do when you’re a leader and you have nothing left to give?
What happens when you are the pastor, the parent, or the friend who has hit a season where you are frustrated, burnt out, and ready to give up?
Referencing the great presidential scandal of 1998, Monica Lewinsky said, “I was Patient Zero of losing a personal reputation on a global scale almost instantaneously.” It has taken her over a decade to speak publicly about what has happened and what she experienced.
Over the past month or so my family has been in the midst of a transition. About a month ago we got keys to our house and for the past several weeks, we have been doing project after project trying to prepare the house for us to live in.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has a loaded, profound statement when he says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
In 1985 the Coca-Cola Company introduced a new formula for their flagship soda. Perhaps this may not seem like a big deal, but keep in mind I’m not talking about adding a new product like Cherry Coke, Diet Coke, or Vanilla Coke.
There is one question that has the potential to bring more harm to our relationships than any other.
“What’s in it for me?” Without even thinking, our natural bent is so often apt to ask this question. We are constantly looking out for our own benefit. Perhaps you’ve experienced a conflict in your home or with a coworker or classmate; how would that conflict be different if nobody asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Who was the worst sinner of all time?
If we create a list of historically significant sinners, I have a feeling our list would be filled with people like Stalin and Hitler. We’d fill our list with the figures behind mass murders, bombings, terrorism, or serial killing. And rightfully so, when it comes to the atrocities of the evil that these people committed, it is unparalleled.
Monday often means stress, deadlines, burdens, and anxiety. It becomes the day when we dread the overly cheerful coworker who makes our day worse by suggesting, “Sounds like somebody has a cased of the Mondays.”
Noah is one of those Bible characters that we love to tell our children about. We sing songs about the arky, we remake movies based on his life, and we lift him up as one of the early heroes of the faith. And in many ways, he is a hero. But there’s also a part of the story that we tend to leave out.
Renee Alston, in the book Stumbling Toward Faith, begins her story with these disturbing words:
“I grew up in an abusive household."
One of the most frequent recommendations within Christian traditions when dealing with habitual sin is to have an accountability partner. If you’re unfamiliar with the jargon, an accountability partner is a friend, preferably of the same gender, who struggles with a similar sin who will routinely check in with you to see whether or not you are having success in your battle against sin.
In Luther’s day, he traditionally taught, three primary spheres of calling, usually combining family and work into the same sphere and with the same purpose.
