Luke 23:44-46 By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Something is different. You had expected to hang around Golgotha for most of the day as Jesus endured a slow, painful death. Then, as soon as you settle in for the long hours ahead, the sky grows … [Read more...] about Good Friday: Jesus Dies on the Cross
the cross
First Sunday of Lent: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
First Sunday of Lent: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Mark 14:32-40 (RSV) And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things … [Read more...] about First Sunday of Lent: Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
The Legacy of Kuyper
The sixth and concluding post in a series drawing from and interacting with Richard Mouw's Abraham Kuyper: A Short and Personal Introduction (Eerdmans, 2011). Stay tuned for additional series by Dan Jesse applying Kuyper's insights to our context in higher education. We must continue to move forward in the tradition put forth by Luther. The Reformation has a famous saying, Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda! The church needs to reform, and forever be reforming. What is not meant in this motto is that we … [Read more...] about The Legacy of Kuyper
To Will One Thing; A Lenten Reflection on Matthew 4:1-11
Soren Kierkegaard famously said, "purity of heart is to will one thing." To center back on our call to will one thing, namely the will of God, is the chief purpose of Lent. This week's gospel reading comes from Matthew 4:1-11. It's the scene of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. The Liar and Destroyer tempts Jesus, beckoning him to use God's power to turn stones to bread, to use God's power to call the angels to his aid, and he offers him the authority over all the kingdoms of the world, if only Jesus would will … [Read more...] about To Will One Thing; A Lenten Reflection on Matthew 4:1-11
Becoming a Thoughtful Christian in the Secular Academy
One month ago yesterday I walked the stage to pick up a diploma in Religious Studies at a secular institution. And I'm a stronger Christian than ever. In the Religious Studies department at the University of Montana I learned how to study history with careful eyes, how to debate subtle philosophy with gentleness and confidence, how to respect professors and peers with opposing views on foundational beliefs, and, perhaps most importantly, I learned how to critically examine my place in and beliefs about the story that … [Read more...] about Becoming a Thoughtful Christian in the Secular Academy