Over the past decade or so, many churches in America have been espousing that they are “gospel-centered.” Just as in culture, there are many buzzwords within the church: missional, organic, intentional, etc. And another one happens to be gospel-centered.
But what’s the problem with being gospel-centered? That’s a good thing, right? Continue reading
Above is a painting by Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet entitled Descent From the Cross.
The Christian church identifies this week as the most important week in the history of humankind – Holy Week.
We have Maundy Thursday, focused on the Last Supper of Christ with the twelve. This is followed by Good Friday, whereas Christ is sacrificed upon the cross for humanity’s sin. Next we have Holy Saturday (or Silent Saturday), a day that many evangelicals might not call to mind, as it lies between the death and resurrection of Christ. Lastly, we have Easter Sunday, the day of celebrating Christ’s defeat over death through resurrection. Continue reading
A couple of week’s back, I saw this photo below posted on the internet.
It’s quite humorous, I think. But the reality is that, for some, this photo might seem to communicate a problem about the New Testament Gospels.
What do I mean? Continue reading
For those interested, one of N.T. Wright’s most recent books, Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters, is currently available for $1.99 in the Kindle version.
It’s definitely worth purchasing for a mere $1.99. N.T. Wright is one of the foremost New Testament scholars today, bringing out a lot of the historical and cultural setting of the first century setting in the New Testament.
Here’s my concise summary of the book: Continue reading
Because it’s the season of Lent, I took a little time one morning this week to re-read the accounts of both Jesus’ baptism and his time in the wilderness. I particularly read Matthew’s account – 3:13-17 and 4:1-11.
I know that, for many of us, when we approach the Bible, we do so in hopes that it will speak to us personally. God, what are you saying to me? Father, how do I need to be changed by this text?
Questions similar to these.
And this is not wrong. It’s actually a very fine thing. But what we might not realise is that the Scriptures were actually given to speak into a larger, more communal setting. And, for the New Testament Scriptures, and specifically the gospels, they’ve been given to highlight something quite interesting about this person, Jesus. Continue reading
