That’s right, it’s been a week since I set up Substack, and hello to the more than 1000 subscribers! But also…it’s been a week. On Sunday, I attended a beautiful Easter service at my church, Church of the Servant. We proclaimed the resurrection, ate brunch together, and filled the sanctuary with flowers. We also lamented the
That shooting was terrible. Sadly I have a couple good friends from church who really do not like what you're doing - and I think it boils down to them seeing anything other than salvation by faith alone and PSA (must be penal...) as a distraction from the real Gospel. Anything "social justicey" is such a threat. I'm going to see NT Wright at Baylor in June (very excited :) ). I think he (and Rikki Watts and Scot McKnight too) was THE catalyst that drew me away from seeing the gospel as only about soteriology and correct doctrine. If Wright is correct then ecclesiology is at the very heart of the Gospel, and thus a racially segregated church is anathema! A lot of guys who are serious about Christianity seem to gravitate to doctrine and biblical study. If we could somehow get NT Wright and Scot McKnight etc into their bible studies I think more people would see how the stuff you and Jemar T and Beth Beth Barr are doing is not only NOT a distraction from the Gospel, but is well-nigh the heart of the Gospel. I know a lot of folks don't want to change since this status quo is comfy. But some would. Anyway, great content as always. You're emerging as a very capable voice of leadership for an important movement.
That shooting was terrible. Sadly I have a couple good friends from church who really do not like what you're doing - and I think it boils down to them seeing anything other than salvation by faith alone and PSA (must be penal...) as a distraction from the real Gospel. Anything "social justicey" is such a threat. I'm going to see NT Wright at Baylor in June (very excited :) ). I think he (and Rikki Watts and Scot McKnight too) was THE catalyst that drew me away from seeing the gospel as only about soteriology and correct doctrine. If Wright is correct then ecclesiology is at the very heart of the Gospel, and thus a racially segregated church is anathema! A lot of guys who are serious about Christianity seem to gravitate to doctrine and biblical study. If we could somehow get NT Wright and Scot McKnight etc into their bible studies I think more people would see how the stuff you and Jemar T and Beth Beth Barr are doing is not only NOT a distraction from the Gospel, but is well-nigh the heart of the Gospel. I know a lot of folks don't want to change since this status quo is comfy. But some would. Anyway, great content as always. You're emerging as a very capable voice of leadership for an important movement.
So grateful to be semi-local and got a ticket for tomorrow. Looking forward to it!