We give a lot of thought to “staging” in the modern world. Weddings are choreographed to look “just so.” Events like graduations are designed and rehearsed to be both beautiful and meaningful. Every “State of the Union” address features some individual with a symbolic story seated next to the President’s family. It’s expected, and nevertheless, […]
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Time Flies
We just introduced Gospel Meditations for Young Adults (available now to preorder). Here is a preview of Day 4 from Chris Anderson. Read Psalm 90. “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) I have vivid memories of high school and college. Talks, events, and even […]
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Introducing “Gospel Meditations for Young Adults”
Every generation tends to think they have it harder than everyone else. We’ve all heard the joke about how our parents had to walk to school. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways. As the father of four daughters who are now in their teens and twenties, I think I can confidently say that no generation […]
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The Value of a Soul
Matthew 16:26 is sometimes obscured by the epic texts that surround it. Matthew 16 contains Peter’s proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God (v. 16). It contains Jesus’ promise to build His church and lay siege to hell (v. 18). It contains Jesus’ first prediction of His approaching passion (v. […]
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For the Sake of His Name
This week, Chris Anderson is traveling in Indonesia with two young families from the church he pastors who are praying, strategizing, and planning to move there. This excerpt from Gospel Mediations for Missions is a fitting thought for the occasion! “Why in the world do they do it?” I’ve often wondered what would motivate missionaries […]
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Jars of Clay: A Philosophy of Grace vs. Glory
During my theological training, I regularly heard challenges on the need to be exceptional for the glory of God. I was taught that excellence was a cardinal Christian virtue, which honestly did me a world of good. I heard that it is a sin to do less than your best. And so it is, though I […]
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A Stack of Bibles
When I was a kid, we would say (rather irreverently, I admit), “I swear on a stack of Bibles.” The meaning was as clear as “I swear on my mother’s grave”: The speaker was telling the truth—or at least wanted you to believe he was. If swearing on one Bible in a court of law […]
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Grow to Shrink
It’s natural for pastors to equate increasing numbers with ministry success. I’d like to challenge that idea a bit, beginning with an illustration from my own family. This summer I “married off” the oldest of my four daughters. When I finished walking my wife down the aisle, I whispered to her, “We did it.” I […]
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Groaning Grace
The modern church doesn’t lament well. The churches in which I grew up tended to omit “downer” Psalms in favor of those that we consider to be more “uplifting.” If we’re honest, we’re almost embarrassed by the negativity of Psalms of lament, Psalms of imprecation, and books like Ecclesiastes and Lamentations. You might think that’s just […]
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Go Behind the Scenes
Chris Anderson gave an interview to BJU Today about the background, research, and writing process for his recent biography Panosian. You can read the full article here.
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