In response to those who say pastors should not talk about world events, such as the recent events that took place in the Oval Office: “Ministry of the word” involves things like “loving your neighbor.” Theology leads to basic applications, such as: 1) Tell the truth; don’t change history and reverse to say Ukraine started the war. (Nearly every political … Read More
A Prayer of Lament: For the Outcast and Stranger
God of justice and mercy,you hear the cries of the outcast and the suffering,you see those alone and outside,those who are strangers in their own house. You are the God who rescues.You set free from tyranny, andyou lead your people to peace and abundance.You turn enemies into neighbors. Now, we plead for the oppressed —that you would restore strangersas brothers … Read More
The Importance of Words — God’s & Ours
Words matter. They come from God, and they reveal Him to us. When we open Scripture, we encounter not only God’s words, but also repeated references to the “Word of God.” The Old Testament alone uses this phrase around 400 times (for instance, Genesis 1, where God speaks creation into existence and declares it “good”). In the New Testament, God … Read More
Bad Books, Bad Characters, & Bad Endings
Sometimes, books (along with movies and other forms of art) do not always “resolve” as we’d like them to, such as ending with a spiritual conversion that leads a person to faith in God. Some characters even end up in a worse state than when they started. Especially with fiction, that lack of resolution can actually be beneficial at times … Read More
What about tattoos?
I recently taught on the “fallibility and sufficiency of the body” — basically, a biblical theology of body. The audio of that is available here: https://soundcloud.com/joelpeterjupp/fallibility-sufficiency-of-the-body A student asked in response what I thought about tattoos. Here was my answer: Good question. While I’m not a tattoo expert — I don’t have any myself (haha) — my personal sense is … Read More
In the Presence
Yesterday, I was asked how we’re doing with Ginny’s health, as we have tentatively paused treatment while we wait to start a new one in a few weeks. It helped me to write out my thoughts, so I thought I’d share this with you also, since I know so many of you care: We live in a tenuous position every … Read More
COVID-19: Loving Through Confusion
Why COVID-19 news can drive people bonkers: You read one thing one place and another thing elsewhere. Notice below how one title suggests contemplation (“should you” and “suggest”) while the other strikes more concern (“recommended” and “high”). Further notice the timing of the article, where a question is asked after statement was made earlier in the day. Part of the … Read More
Persistent Prayer
One thought has sustained me over the past two weeks: Hundreds of believers around the world are praying for our family. With so much unknown before us, knowing of these prayers has been deeply comforting. Especially in the morning, when it’s easy to fear and hard to start another day, I remember your prayers. In my mind’s eye, I envision … Read More
RESPONSE to Defiant Churches
To Churches Defying Medical & Political Leaders, Christians should be leading the way in terms of loving neighbors and exercising wisdom. Now that children and 30-50 year olds are known to be dying, there is no “safe” group per se. With that in mind, our witness can be damaged if we value ritual (even good rituals!) more than the innocent … Read More
Love, Liberty, & Caution: Why Jesus Would Wear A Mask
What’s most surprising right now is not the anti-science views circulating around the internet, but the callousness. There’s lots of debate, but less concern for the sick and the susceptible. All who fight for the “freedom” to not wear a mask overlook that the reason to wear a mask is for another person’s good, not their own. Good citizens, and especially people … Read More
COVID-19, Planning, & Jesus
As I observe dozens of Christians pondering what to do this weekend, I can’t help but ask: What would Jesus do? My guess is that Jesus would be out picking grain and delivering it to the needy — just like David took temple bread to feed the hungry. Both knew that life mattered more than tradition. The Sabbath, … Read More
Humility that Helps
Bear with me on this one, as it’s an imagined scenario within an imagined scenario… For years now, starting when I was in college, I’ve tried to understand Jesus’ teaching on foot washing. As you may know, the actual practice of foot washing is a distinctive feature of some churches (e.g., Church of God), which I had experienced back … Read More