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Paul and Silas in Thessalonica Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to riseContinue reading “Thessalonians: Being Formed By the Waiting, Understanding Apocalyptic Language, and the Liberating Work of the Spirit”

About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. And you see and hearContinue reading “Ephesians: The Mystery, The Powers and the Great Spiritual Battle”

Prevalent in the whole of the New Testament writings is the presence of Gnostic teaching. Gnostic teaching simply has to do with the way in which we receive, project, and participate in spiritual “knowledge”. One of the key markers of Gnosticism, particularly in relationship to Christianity, is the idea of division. The self is dividedContinue reading “Galatians: A House Divided For Itself and a Unified Christ For the World”

Mercy “caused” us to be born again through resurrection (1:3). Born again into an inheritance (imperishable, undefiled, unfading), and “kept in heaven for you” (1:5), guarded and ready to be revealed. 1 Peter 1:1-5 This is the same powerful language of adoption that we find in so much of Paul’s own writings, and fleshed outContinue reading “1st and 2nd Peter: Adoption and the Indiscriminate Nature of the Cross”

One thing we know about the letters of John with a fair degree of certainty is that someone named John wrote them. Yes, this sounds obvious and even a bit contrived. It is called 1st, 2nd and 3rd John after all. But bear with me for a moment, because this is not necessarily the caseContinue reading “1, 2nd, 3rd John: Division, Fellowship And the Power of Love to Conquer Death”

One of the most important sections of scripture for me growing up, and my favorite letter, was Philippians 2:1-11: Christ’s Example of Humility So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having theContinue reading “The Letter to The Philippians- Finding Hope In Love”

“There are no good and bad films, only good and bad Directors. – Truffaut The cinema is an invention without of a future – Louis Lumière For most cinephiles (a French born term), Auteur Theory, or the idea of the Auteur, is likely a familiar term and idea, if not in definition than certainly withinContinue reading “Travelling the World in film 2020- FRANCE”

As “one of the oldest film markets in the world”, Japan’s cinematic story is a fascinating, always exciting, and often inspiring narrative to unpack. It is ripe with the expected markers that tend to be shared by cinema worldwide- the arrival of the Cinematograph, the shift from social commentary to propaganda during the World War,Continue reading “Film Travels 2020: Japan”

Having been immersed these last few weeks in Fleming Rutledge’s phenomenal and monumental The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus, 40: The Temptation of Christ (a recently released and independent 2020 release available for rent or purchase on most platforms) proved to be a fitting. highly visual, and complimentary addition for understanding and ruminating onContinue reading “40: The Temptation of Christ: Good, Evil and the Grand Narrative of the Crucifixion”

I had the great privilege of hearing a recent interview with Fleming Rutledge, the author of The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death Of Jesus (a book I am currently working through and reflecting on), talking about her body of work and what a lifetime of preaching, pastoring, and writing have taught her in terms of big ideas,Continue reading “Justification, God’s Wrath, and The Reforming Work of The Cross”