When Pastors Are Lobbied
Christ is not an appendix to Israel’s story. He is its climax. He is the promised seed. He is the son of David. He is the one in whom the nations are blessed. He is the one who forms a sanctified people for God’s name in the world.
No More Hiding: A Good Friday Mediation
Crowned
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness...”
Access Granted: Jesus’ Death Opens the Way to Wisdom and Joy.
Some rooms don’t let you in unless your name is on the list. That’s how exclusive events work. The Met Gala, arguably the most famous invitation-only event in the world, runs on approval, connections, and gatekeepers. If the right person doesn’t approve of you, you don’t get in. The velvet rope doesn’t care how sincere you are, how badly you want it, or how confident you sound at the door.
A Christian Zionist on the Hot Seat: Huckabee vs Tucker
I just watched the 2½-hour interview Tucker Carlson did with Mike Huckabee a few days ago, and I’d encourage you to watch it too. I found it genuinely thought-provoking—partly because I haven’t spent much time studying either man. Huckabee is a former governor of Arkansas, a Baptist pastor, and he now serves as the U.S. ambassador to Israel. Tucker Carlson is a famously provocative media personality who also identifies as a Christian. The interview was recorded in Israel, and Tucker pressed Huckabee with difficult questions about the legitimacy of Israel as a secular nation-state—and about who, exactly, deserves citizenship there.
What You Love Will Hold You
Many people had already “followed” Jesus—right up until his words offended them or his mission threatened their dreams. In John 6, after Jesus refused to be used as a political deliverer or a bread machine, the crowd thinned fast:
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (John 6:66)
That’s the danger Jesus is addressing in John 16. Not merely external persecution, but internal collapse—when the thing you really love gets threatened, and Jesus no longer seems worth it. So the question beneath the passage is not, “Will you face pressure?” You will. The question is: “What will hold you when you do?” Because what you love will hold you.
The Theology of Interstellar
Everyone possesses a theology, whether they admit it or not. If you have not reflected on the source of your worldview, it is guaranteed that your theology has been shaped by the influences surrounding you. For example, children raised exclusively in Muslim communities often grow into adults with a fatalistic mindset, as that culture is grounded in determinism. During the year I lived in Bahrain, I heard the Arabic phrase “Inshalla,” meaning “If God wills it,” probably ten times a day. Conversely, a child raised in secular America often has a markedly different outlook, believing that they are the masters of their own destinies. America is obsessed with liberty and freedom, which may partly explain why many Westerners cringe at the mention of Calvinism, as it suggests that we may not be as in control of our outcomes as we wish to believe. That said, the great director Mr. Nolan undoubtedly has his own theology, and my purpose today is to explore some aspects of that worldview as reflected in the plot of Interstellar.
My Reflection on the Catholic Church's Shift on Same-Sex Blessings
In a recent episode of my podcast, A Pastor and His Newspaper, I addressed a groundbreaking announcement by Pope Francis that has sent ripples through the Catholic Church. The episode delves into the significant changes in the church's stance on homosexuality and the implications of Pope Francis' declaration.