…biblical Christianity without conservative idolatry…
Today is Super Tuesday meaning that a large number of states are having their primaries for the Presidential election. Currently, for conservatives, Donald Trump is far out in the lead with Nikki Haley, his only opponent trailing far behind. I'm not sure we can remedy that situation, but I need …
Continue Reading about Dear Christian Conservative: Vote Your Conscience
Salvation and Forgiveness in the Gospel of John In my previous post, I considered a large number of passages in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) referring to salvation and forgiveness, and I closed out that post with the following conclusions. When it comes to forgiveness, Jesus …
I've been thinking a lot about this idea recently: What would it look like if we were as eager to forgive as Jesus was? This is a tough question because for most of my life, I thought exactly like a post I recently saw online: You won’t find a single place in the Gospels where Jesus Christ …
Continue Reading about Let’s Talk About Salvation and Forgiveness: Part 1
I've been going through a dilemma. The question on my mind is this: How do I talk about my book with people who don't know me all that well? Or, more to the point: What do I say about my book when I know it's content is likely to offend the person I'm talking to? This has been my dilemma …
One of the great failings of my theological life is an ignorance regarding the religious perspectives of the Black community in America. It's no secret that African Americans are the most religiously observant, and the most Biblically committed demographic in America, yet in my own life, steeped in …
I started writing this post almost 20 years ago, but strangely, I find it applicable to our world today, so I'm finishing it now. Back in 2005, I had the chance to see the last Star Wars movie made by George Lucas (he later sold the franchise to Disney). It was called Revenge of the Sith, and it …
I ended the previous post with this: If I couldn’t preach it, I would write it. I was convinced we were dealing with a kind of idolatry in the hearts of my Christian brothers and sisters (and likely in myself too), so I decided I would write it all down, all my thoughts and concerns, and use the …
Preface: In the second half of 2021, some close friends of mine told me that I probably wasn't suited to be a pastor. Instead, their suggestion to me was that I switch careers and try to be a professor or a writer or something. Interestingly, only a month before they said that, I had begun …
Preamble In my ministry, I have performed a number of weddings, and those have involved a number of remarriages. In one case, a woman came to our church when she was married to her first husband, and our church was her support network when that man decided to divorce her. Later, I performed her …
Continue Reading about What does God really think about sex, marriage, divorce, and remarriage?
This is a quick post to announce that I'm launching a podcast. I'm keeping the same theme as my YouTube channel because I'm trying to figure out which method works better for me. Let me know which you enjoy more. To get the podcast, you should be able to use your podcast app and search for Jeff …
Throughout my career as a preaching pastor, I have been accused on more than one occasion of being "too political." I'm not alone. I'll bet that most pastors in America have experienced the same basic accusation, and if not, they have heard it from new people about their previous pastor. "He was …
The Doctrine of the End Times: Rapture, Antichrist, Return of Jesus, Day of the Lord, Final Judgment, Heaven and Hell How do you understand the book of Revelation? Previously, I taught a series of messages on the end times, but I haven't ever written it all out in any kind of systematic way. This …
Continue Reading about The Big Picture of the End Times: Revelation
An Open Door Back in 2006, 16 years ago, Jen and I moved our family to Lafayette, Indiana to plant the church that would become Lafayette Community Church. We've invested our heart and soul (and money) in the ministry and in building relationships here in Lafayette, and we had no real intention to …
The Doctrine of the End Times: Rapture, Antichrist, Return of Jesus, Day of the Lord, Final Judgment Previously, I taught a series of messages on the end times, but I haven't ever written it all out in any kind of systematic way. This article is the first of two attempting to cover the relevant …
Continue Reading about The Big Picture of the End Times: Daniel to Jesus to Paul
This post is part of a series of posts about what it means to love God with our minds. In the process, I touch on a number of issues that are sure to raise questions. If you have questions for me regarding any of this, you can post them in the comments or feel free to contact me directly through …
Continue Reading about How to Love God with Your Mind: Seven Recommendations
This post is part of a series of posts about what it means to love God with our minds. In the process, I touch on a number of issues that are sure to raise questions. If you have questions for me regarding any of this, you can post them in the comments or feel free to contact me directly through …
Continue Reading about Loving God with Your Mind: Understanding 1 Corinthians 2-3
