Resistance

by Tyler Dirks

“Sin is crouching at your door, and its desire is contrary to you, but you must resist it [תִּמְשָׁל].”[1] This post is about resistance. Perhaps one of the best, and most complex, stories of resistance is ‘The Life of Jonathan.’ Jonathan’s father was ruled by fear and darkness. Moreover, Jonathan’s father was the supreme leader. […]

ECPC National Park

by Tyler Dirks

True leadership—the kind that honors the living God—should look a lot like our National Parks. We need to be wide open to people showing up, stepping in, and actively participating in the wild terrain. The alternative is the modern, plastic church culture, which desperately wants you to be consumeristic, predictable, and entirely passive. They want […]

Acts 16:1-5 !?

by Tyler Dirks

I find Paul’s decision-making in Acts 15 and 16 to be fascinating and full of tension. There is tension in Paul’s disagreement—and subsequent split—with Barnabas. And God never clarifies who is right, which only increases that tension. Paul’s decision to partner with Silas and Timothy, as opposed to Barnabas and John Mark, is also quite […]

A Follower of Jesus of Nazareth is Confused About “The Rules”

by Tyler Dirks

I started following Jesus of Nazareth, and now I’m a bit confused. All my life I was taught to obey and honor the religious leaders, and the religious leaders have consistently and vehemently provided an authoritative code of conduct for Sabbath-keeping (in the name of “upholding God’s holiness” and “ascribing glory to the Almighty”). But […]

A Man From James Reacts to Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

by Tyler Dirks

I’m upset. I’m upset because you say that we are troubling people and distorting the gospel. I’m upset because you dishonor us, and you devalue and diminish our significance by REPEATEDLY referring to us as, “those who SEEM influential,” and “those who SEEM to be pillars.” I’m upset because you ACCUSE us of being “false […]

τὰ ἴδια

by Tyler Dirks

Approximately a year ago, we were walking the streets of Neos Kosmos, in Athens Greece with our good friend Erikos. As we crossed paths with the various hooligans and yobbos in the neighborhood, Erikos would joyfully greet them with the expression, “τὰ ἴδια!” This would lead to big smiles and huggie back-slapping embraces. So we […]