Once upon a time a man named Paul said, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” He was writing to a community preoccupied with intellectual superiority, technical correctness, and asserting their “right to be litigatory and supercilious.” So what does that have to do with Ted Lasso? Perhaps nothing, but let’s think about it for […]
To everyone sincerely involved and substantially invested in this community, We need to talk about what is happening in our midst with our dear brother – The Vizier/Viceroy (צָפְנַת פַּעְנֵחַ) and his brothers. This situation is extraordinarily complex, deeply messy, and carries high stakes for everyone at ECPC. I am putting this “out there” – […]
Sean asked me to post this again… Judah, son of Leah (Part I) The instinct to keep the shameful details of my story hidden was very strong. On some level, the decision to reveal the truth was (and is) a mystery to me. Certainly, there are moments when I wish people didn’t know, but ultimately […]
I recently received this alarming text message from a PCA ruling elder… “Did Isaiah really go on a 3 year naked walk at the behest of the LORD? (Isaiah 20). How did I not know this!?” – PCA Ruling Elder
There is a guy at our church who is getting rich by coercing his wife to sleep with high-status elite men (and pretending that his wife is “his sister”). And he has repeated this insanely lucrative scam multiple times! There is zero evidence that he has ever apologized for doing this, he simply (callously) collects […]
“We don’t want to wrestle with what The Bible actually reveals because we’re uncomfortable with honestly acknowledging that, “The Bible is confounding!” while at the same time saying, “The Bible is the Word of God (infallible and applicable for life and doctrine).” In other words, we conflate ‘what feels sensible and clarifying’ with perfection, inerrancy, […]
What is the most foundational requirement for ordained leadership in the church? It is deep, mutual love and fellowship among the leaders themselves. If this is not the case, no quantity or quality of shepherding proficiency, or discipleship prowess, or ecclesial acumen, or liturgical expertise, or hermeneutical rigor, or counseling nurturance, or stewardship shrewdness, or […]
Abram was filthy rich. His abode buzzed and bustled with industry! He had hundreds of servants tending to vast herds of sheep, cattle, and donkeys. One day a friend stopped by to drop off some theater tickets for Abram, and as his eyes swept over the sprawling expanse of Abram’s wealth, the friend asked, “What […]
The Parable of the Mud and the Highway “What is the kingdom of heaven like? Or to what shall we compare the foolishness of the litigious quibblers? It is like a group of sojourners in the countryside traveling on a good road – paved solid, leading straight into the open fields and wild hills. On […]
Hebrews 5:12–14 defines true spiritual maturity not as academic knowledge or religious status, but as the practical ability to discern good from evil THROUGH awe (see Hebrews 12:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:2) and action (e.g. like Anton Ego squandering his status as venerated food critic – and actually enjoying good, simple, substantial food …even if […]