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Uncategorized FOR THOSE WHO’VE LEFT THE CHURCH
not for everyone but FOR THOSE WHO'VE LEFT THE CHURCH // Somehow, totally unsure how, we made it to church. This was despite 45 minutes or so of sleep, shaking all night, and...
Read More Uncategorized What is a covenantal relationship?
What is a covenantal relationship? Sometimes, you’ll hear people say that a covenant is a “contract,” but that’s not really enough. Covenants are much bigger than contracts.Very frequently, you’ll hear people talk about...
Read More Uncategorized Real-World Application of Theology
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...
Read More Uncategorized 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...
Read More Uncategorized 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...
Read More Uncategorized 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...
Read More Uncategorized 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...
Read More Uncategorized 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...
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Theology Why Idolatry is Wrong
Idolatry "steals" what rightfully belongs to God — i.e., glory. Idolatry has no point, since idols cannot see, hear, think, talk, etc. Idolatry represents God as lesser; no matter how impressive the idol,...
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Culture 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...
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Life Timing of Grief
Nehemiah 8:9-10 “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to...
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Church Lent/Lament: Worship Order Ideas
Here are a few worship order concepts for lent/lament. Any of these could be adjusted to fit your particular congregation or worship context. Personal/Societal Emphasis Receive God's Welcome Reflect Inwardly & Outwardly Request Divine Help...
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Church The “Blessing” of Psalm 1
A student asked me a few questions about Psalm 1 and offered permission for me to share. Here are the questions and responses: How would you teach Psalm 1? I teach Psalm...
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Uncategorized Communication Lesson from the Pandemic
Granted, I’m biased since my dissertation focused on online communication, specifically video used in Christian community — but there's one lesson I wish we would have learned during the pandemic: Online communication is...
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Culture Complexity in Esther
As you interpret Esther as a biblical character, let me encourage you to embrace complexity. Good narratives focus on dynamic characters, and scripture is replete with complex, multi-layered narratives. Rather than thinking in...
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Uncategorized Juneteenth as a Holy Day
As I've reflected upon the day, in many ways, Juneteenth is more of a holiday (i.e., properly "holy") than July 4th. Of course, that's not to say I'm against American independence (since...
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Culture All People, Unlimited Peace.
I normally take a slower approach to sociopolitical issues, but seeing where this seems to be headed, I’ll state this sooner rather than later for my Christian friends: God cares for all people,...
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Church 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...
Read More Church 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,...
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Church 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...
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Culture 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...
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Ethics 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...
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Culture House Bill 2495 – Illinois’ Reproductive Health Act
Illinois is currently attempting to pass expansive changes to reproductive law (House Bill 2495) — considered to be more extreme than what New York recently passed. Without delving into political talking points,...
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Church How to Choose a Bible Commentary (Tips to Select the Best Commentaries)
I was recently asked some good questions about commentaries — basically, which ones are the best? To answer that, here are a few thoughts about which commentaries to use, as well as some...
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Church The Purpose of Acts
The overall purpose of Acts is not to explain the Holy Spirt — i.e., as if Acts were a treatise on a single person of the Trinity. Yes, we could say the Spirit is...
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Church Promise in our Labor
Some of my favorite moments are when kids tell Bible stories. Today, I learned that Noah’s family had to cut down a lot of trees and that alligators are an in-between case,...
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Culture Protesting & Mullets
"Patriotism takes many forms, including teaching, transforming, and even protesting." - Bob Costas To state Bob Costas' point another way: Seeking change (e.g., a wife protesting her husband’s appearance and requesting he cut...
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Culture Women in The Book of Esther
We live in an exciting era of women's rights. In the past century, women have fought for the right to vote, to be heard, and to be respected. We see this in a...
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Culture Equal Employment: A Work of the People
It grates me when the President repeatedly takes credit for the rise of black employment (or the decrease of black unemployment). First, individuals earn and keep their own jobs, so first and...
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Church Thoughts on the Sinner’s Prayer
A student asked an interesting question about the Sinner's Prayer, its origin, and my thoughts about it. I thought I'd share this response with everyone, in case it is helpful: Depending on who...
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Church Spiritual Songs & New Songs
In his epistles, Paul speaks of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). His list categorizes three musical types: (1) psalms, which are inspired songs of the covenant, (2) hymns, which...
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Church Reasons to Welcome, Not Ban
25 Reasons Why Christians Should Welcome (Not Ban) Immigrants & Refugees God cares for all people, not just those inside a particular national border. As Christians, global citizenship trumps national citizenship. Christianity...
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