At the Intersection of Christian Faith, Worldviews, Nature, and the Arts
I'm reminded today of words spoken to me by J. Christy Wilson, Jr, my missions and evangelism professor at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary who was also my friend and spiritual father in the faith. It was 1951 when he and wife, Betty, first set foot in Afghanistan. Christy served for 22 years as a missionary …
When the Unthinkable Becomes Your Reality... What follows is a message I preached on October 20, 2024. The sermon was a departure from my norm. Rather than sitting with a particular piece of scripture and mining it for its wisdom, I moved through a series of poems, passages of scripture, and devotional messages that have …
Continue reading "When the Unthinkable Becomes Your Reality…"
I earned my Master of Divinity degree at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS); was ordained in the American Baptist Churches USA; pastored churches for nearly twenty years; served as a visiting professor of world religions and spiritual formation at GCTS and was an Assistant Professor of Evangelism and Renewal and Director of the D.Min. in the …
Mark 1:1-8 His name was John. People knew him locally as the Baptist. Some would say of him that he was a religious eccentric. Others, less kind, would dismiss him as a flake. He wasn’t a "how to win friends and influence people" kinda guy. He seems something of an odd choice of one to …
Continue reading "Point to the Prince of Peace: Prepare the Way"
I came to faith in Jesus Christ on Pentecost Sunday in 1982 at a Billy Graham Crusade held at Boston University's Nickerson Field. The Reverend Graham’s signature is on my Master of Divinity diploma from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; he was one of that institution’s founders and was chairman of the seminary’s board during my years …
I have adapted the following from the Book of Common Prayer and personalized the words by changing the plurals to singulars that I might offer this confession as an individual. Perhaps you'll feel led to join me in lifting this. Almighty and most merciful Father, I have erred, and strayed from Your ways like a …
In the book of Acts, Saul—after undergoing his Damascus Road conversion—is encouraged by Ananias to “get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Well, I was reminded today of an article I penned, some years ago, about the "Wash Away Your Sins" product line manufactured by Blue …
I recently learned that a church I formerly pastored has issued a new policy statement wherein the body said its unity was not based on an "adherence to a particular set of doctrinal beliefs." They've chosen, instead, to embrace "a broad diversity" of opinions on scriptural interpretation and have expunged their Statement of Beliefs from …
Continue reading "Falling Away from the Faith Once Received"
Delighted to wake this day to a request to review this book for the Africanus Journal. As must be clearly evident from many of my posts, Progressive Christianity is currently one of my greatest concerns; this topic is right up my alley as a former professor of apologetics!! How far can you wander from classic, …
Matthew 4:1-11 and 2 Timothy 4:1-5 When, at the end of 2021, I was nearing the end of a pastorate in New Hampshire, I wanted to prepare the congregation for the next chapter in their life together. On one Sunday, I stressed the need for the church to mobilize in ministries of compassion; the following …
