Jesus' words, "Tetelestai," "It is finished," appear only twice in the New Testament--John 19:28 and John 19:30. "After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), 'I thirst.' A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he … [Read more...]
American Evangelicalism: Where Dead People Can Help Themselves
While Christians are often categorized as being "American Evangelicals," American Evangelicalism is not synonymous with biblical Christianity. One reason: included in a large swath of American Evangelicals is the unbiblical belief that dead people can help themselves--the synergistic belief that man cooperates with God in his salvation. You've Seen the Image I often see … [Read more...]
Revisiting the “Sinner’s Prayer”: A Conversation with Kim
One conversation with Kim resulted in another conversation with another Kim. Confused? Allow me to explain. Kim at the Corner of Harrison and Locust A little more than a week ago, I met a man named Kim on the corner of Harrison and Locust, in Davenport, IA. I gave him a gospel tract. He lingered for a moment or two indicating he might want to talk. At one point, I asked … [Read more...]
Still True: Overcoming Anxiety and Knowing Peace Through Prayer
Mahria took a day off work this week to sort through, purge, and organize years of family documents. During the several-hours-long effort, she came across some papers I had written during my time as a student at The Master's Seminary. The stack of papers she handed me included my Letter of Acceptance from the seminary and a paper titled "Philippians 4:6-7 -- Overcoming Anxiety … [Read more...]
It Came Down to a Polaroid: And Why I Never Rely on Evidence in My Evangelistic Apologetics
Evidence is very important in a courtroom, and I try never to rely on evidence when engaging in evangelistic apologetics. Bike Patrol In the Summer of 1998, I was assigned to the Career Offender Robbery Burglary Apprehension (COBRA) team, at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Put that on a business card! By the time I … [Read more...]
Memes: Sometimes I Have Something to Say
meme \MEEM\ noun. 1: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. 2: an amusing or interesting item (such as a captioned picture or video) or genre of items that is spread widely online especially through social media. ~ Meriam-Webster Why Memes? Sometimes I have something to say. I don't always have the time to flesh out what I'm … [Read more...]
Self-Love: Rethinking the Doctrine and Its Use in Evangelism
I have often told people the reason they don't see the gospel as a message of love is that they love themselves more than they love God. I was wrong. Evangelista, Semper Reformada "Preacher [or 'evangelist'], Always Reforming." That's the English translation of the Latin phrase Evangelista, Semper Reformada. I have now proclaimed the gospel on the streets and have preached … [Read more...]
