As I’ve mentioned before, I’m looking forward to the release. This is not an ad hominem attack against atheists (or Christians). It appears to be a gracious look at the collision of two lives: self-described anti-theist Christopher Hitchens (God is Not Great) and Pastor Douglas Wilson. They debate the question: “Is Christianity good for the world?” What’s more, documentaries of this type don’t normally have a rock soundtrack. Awesome. New trailer (Oct. ‘09): From collisionmovie.com: In May 2007, leading atheist Christopher Hitchens and Christian apologist...

The documentary Collision comes out Oct. 27th. In it noted atheist Christopher Hitchens debates with pastor/theologian Douglas Wilson. Actually, it’s a series of debates around the U.S., as they seek to answer the question, “Is Christianity good for the world?” Watch the trailer below to see why it’s called “collision.” I’ve been looking forward to this release for months. A group of us are gathering to watch in Friday night the 30th. Let me know if you want to join in for the fun and discussion. Here’s a quick teaser trailer: SHARETHIS.addEntry({...

I have a special aversion for the concept of “balance” when it comes to thinking about God and the Christian life. I’m not against balanced lives, just that balance is not the end goal. Devotion is. Giving our lives for Jesus’ fame is a worthy goal. Balance as a mindset has a self-focus. Yet, the purpose of our lives transcends self, for through Christ we can bearing for God. No one can stay “balanced” while being thoroughly God-centered and others-directed. To plant ourselves like a seed in this world, dying for Jesus, means our khakis will get dirty, our lives...

Here’s the 200-word pastor’s essay I recently wrote for a local paper, Wilsonville Statesman. Lots to say, but I figured I would make my first one theological, and move to the practical from there. (Doesn’t work so well, it seems to me, to go the other way around.) Not sure if it can be called an “essay” at 200 words. Living Our True Identity “Church” in our culture has come to mean an event or a building. “Worship” is thought of as the singing that takes place inside that building. Yet, Scripture teaches that the church is not merely an event or physical...

(Not that we rethink The Mission, but let’s rethink what we perceive as our mission. The Mission stays the same: Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:5-8.) On Friday a new website launched:  rethinkmission.org. Team Rethink Mission, led by church planter and pastor Jonathan McIntosh, is all about “inspiring Gospel-centered missional churches.” I’ve been tracking Jonathan’s preaching and articles for a few years (he recently transitioned from the pastoral and teaching team of The Journey Church in St. Louis). His message is consistently about Jesus, and...

In Scripture we know a concept could be key in God’s program when it’s oft repeated. Take, for example, the link of suffering and joy. (Or, for the more optimistic joy and suffering.) Romans 8:17-18 is a place I often run to, thinking deeply on what it means for our present sufferings to be incomparable to the coming glory (and joy). They shouldn’t be named in the same sentence, but have to be to show the absurdity of how the latter far outweighs the former. When it comes to making sense of this pain, I don’t know WHY, but I do know WHO, and He is all we need. Somehow through...

Continuing on this series of reflecting on great God-centered lyrics. The next one notes God’s faithfulness through every conceivable circumstance — that through easy (calm) or the hard times (storm), He never lets go. Reminds of Romans 8:31-39, that God is for us, and while all things could be “against” us, who or what actually could really be against us in the ultimate sense. God is faithful, to Himself, His character, and to us. This is another link to the rock solid truth that today’s sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall come soon...

Download an e-book (PDF) version of Fight Clubs: Gospel-Centered Discipleship by pastor Jonathan Dodson. I’ve mentioned it before, and am eager to dig in myself. (Note: this isn’t a book built for just one person. You won’t be able to “fight” alone. So, send the link to a friend, read it together and fight for one another, together, through the Gospel.) Here’s the table of contents of Fight Clubs: Introduction 1. Why Fight?: The Call to Fight 2. Fighting for the Church: The Failure of Accountability 3. How to Fight: Motivations for Discipleship 4. Fighting with...

On the heals of thinking deeply about God’s sovereignty — His creative control and our experience in His Story, exploring the depths of this profound mystery — I’d like to put forth a handful of songs that capture a glimpse of the glory God has revealed to us. I’ll call these “Songs of Sovereignty,” as they help us to sing truth to our minds and captivate our hearts as we interact with this Story of Sovereignty. With all the freedom God has given you, sing out to Him! While some of the songs will be well-known (new and old), let’s start with a yet-to-be-recorded...

A friend asked if I would join in a “Sovereignty of God blog series” this Summer, giving no set boundaries other than to ask us to share how we interact with God’s sovereignty from a theological and personal perspective. On the docket are lots of well-known bloggers, and then me. Oh yeah, and he scheduled me to go first. Humbling. My post “A Story of Sovereignty” is up now It’s a bit longer than a normal blog post. Won’t blame God for that … (The revised version posted is a bit shorter than the full version I’ll start posting here tomorrow,...