simply, Christian

"It's been a lovely cruise" -- Jimmy Buffett

new chapter, new blog

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This blog has existed in one form or another for almost EIGHTEEN YEARS! That's basically forever in internet years, which pale in comparison to dog years.

I started, like about everyone, on Blogger, the moved to Wordpress, then hopped around to a couple of other hosts until happily settling at Silvrback for the last . . .

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Posted in: life

December 02, 2023

in _____ we trust

thoughts on the first commandment

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Much of the 'news' (i.e. political commentary disguised as news) these days surrounding the events of the world is inconsistent and sometimes contradictory. For example, reading news from one source can lead us to believe that COVID-19 is the greatest threat to humanity since the dark ages while another news source leads us . . .

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Posted in: lifetheology

August 04, 2021

Luther on studying God's Word

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In his preface to the Large Catechism, Martin Luther anticipates the objections of those who think they are too learned, too wise, or too mature to daily read God's Word. In our time, we might certainly add the objections of those who are too busy or find Scripture too boring or whatever other objection might be raised. . . .

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Posted in: lifetheology

August 03, 2021

relevance: a failed experiment in American Christianity

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Since the end of the 1950s, American Christians across the entire denominational spectrum have been enamored with 'relevance,' most commonly touted as a means by which to keep youth in the church and attract the unchurched. At its best, this goal was pursued to make Christianity more understandable to outsiders. At its . . .

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July 14, 2021

orthodoxy vs. orthopraxy

thoughts on the parable of the Good Samaritan

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Yesterday in worship our pastor preached on the familiar parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). In his sermon he discussed the difference between orthodoxy (right beliefs) and orthopraxy (right actions) and how this parable stressed the need for the latter to one who possessed only the former.

Undoubtedly, our beliefs are . . .

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Posted in: lifetheology

March 01, 2021

reflections on American politics

still looking for God in all the wrong places

Since the horrific events of last Wednesday played out, I have wrestled with how to make sense of them and what to write about them. Instead of writing in the heat of the moment, which would've been anything but thoughtful, I wanted to heed the biblical command to 'be swift to hear [and] slow to speak' (James 1.19). Though I am . . .

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January 09, 2021

why I don't stand when veterans are recognized

some thoughts on vocation

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This post will make some of you upset. It's okay. Despite how most of our society handles itself online, we're able to disagree about things.

Last week, my family and I were at two separate events where veterans were asked to stand and be recognized. Neither of these events was associated with the military or any . . .

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December 15, 2020

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