Maybe you’re a regular here, and you landed on this page from your RSS feed, Twitter, or email. Maybe this is the first time you’ve set foot in this place. Maybe you did some random Google search and landed here. However you got here, I’m glad you landed on this page. So, grab a cup of coffee or a cold beer and sit with me for a while, because I have something to show you.
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I was talking with a friend the other day about Theology and life and giving grace for those who differ in Theological beliefs and it struck me that I’m somewhat of a paradox. I grew up in the Charismatic denomination until I was 19, then God moved me into the Baptist world where I was introduced to Reformed Theology. At first, I railed against it, but one day God just broke through my heart and stubbornness and showed me the beauty of His sovereignty in election. So, Theologically, I line up more with Calvinism than the Charismatic roots I grew up with. Yet, when it comes to prayer, as my friend Mike says, “I’m more Pentecostal than I think.” So, I’m this weird collaboration of Pentecostal fervor in prayer and Reformed Theology in how I think about God and understand Scripture. So, I guess I’m a Reformed Pentecostal. Then I thought, though not a perfect picture, maybe that’s more how the Church really is supposed to look.
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Posted in Theology
Tagged Arminianism, Calvinism, Christianity, Church, Ephesians, Jesus, Theology
So, I seem to always have people wonder about why I try to tie everything that is gospel back to the glory of God. Perhaps this is because of poor communication skills on my part, or maybe it’s because most people weren’t taught Scripture that way as they grew up in church. I honestly don’t think that I was taught that way, now that I think about it. It was all about God being a personal God and dying for our sins and living in our hearts…but it seemed to go from there to changing our behavior and then it just stopped. But the gospel is both about God’s glory and Him being a personal God, and they are inextricably linked.
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Posted in Bible Study, Ephesians, Theology
Tagged Christian, Christianity, Church, Ephesians, Ephesus, God, Gospel, Jesus, Love of Christ, Personal God, Sovereignty
As we continue this series, it’s important to remember where we left off. In the last post, we ended saying that
The proper understanding of the gospel should drive us to deep, deep humility and reliance on God (particularly those who claim to be Reformed). As such, this understanding should foster unity among the church.
If you’re new to the blog, you can catch the cliff notes version of Ephesians 2 before you continue reading.
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Posted in Ephesians
Tagged Christ, Christianity, Church, Church at Ephesus, Crucifixion, Divine Plan, Ephesians, God, God's glory, God's Will, Gospel, Jesus, Pain, Paul's Epistles, Pauline Letters, Religion, Sovereignty, The Cross, Unity in Christ
In an effort to become more authentic in the blog, I’ve started doing something new, and joined Joy, a new writer I’ve come to know, in sharing about life: unmasked. I’m grateful for Joy’s allowing me to participate in this blog meme, and look forward to sharing some of my struggles, questions, and failures.
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Posted in life: unmasked
Tagged Christian, Christianity, Christians, Ephesians, God, Gospel, Grace, Grace of God, Jesus, Life Unmasked, Redemption, Return to Your First Love, Revelation
