Dear Theophilus

This is by far one of my favorite theological/ Christian books ever! I cannot be misunderstood. There is no hyperbole in my statement. This book rocked my world. I mean, I love C. S. Lewis. "Mere Christianity" changed my life. But if I can be a little blasphemous against Lewis, this book is better. It is better at framing a Christian Worldview and the entirety of the Christian life than the above mentioned. It also clears up the murky waters of Death, Dying and the after-life and what Wright wants to call something like "life after death after life." Basically this is a book about the Ultimate Christian hope (Resurrection into New Creation) and how that hope impacts our lives now! These are the types of questions Lewis sometimes missed on. I have two critiques. (1) I wish there was more scripture actually quoted. I know the verses he alludes to. I know many more that he doesn't. But more is better when you are challenging 200 years of Dispensationalism and...

Below is one of the first major papers I have had to write for my schooling. It is an integrative between two week long classes, the first being about worship and the second about Justice and Mercy. I wish I could have had about 5 more hours with it. Please feel free to critique ideas... I am not so interested in grammar and punctuation :) Faith without Works is Dead In finding the connection between acts of Justice/Mercy and the Acts of Piety, I feel there is a tendency to over-play the connection. Many Christians and churches and even scholars want to convey an idea of consequence; that proper worship will beget proper mission. I feel that this tendency is so strong it has been a lens through which I have read the readings and interpreted the theologians. But the scholars aren’t completely guiltless in forming this causal relationship. There seems to be a purposed set of scholarship that is fighting for a middle way between the conservative individualism that has plagued...

Sometimes I wonder if "The Journey" of Christianity is just an excuse for us, Christians,  not to get our hands dirty and take this thing seriously... I mean, if everything is always a journey then their is no time-frame on arrival. Arrival is a goal, but spiritual journeys allow for a cheap grace to manifest our lives. It is a grace we extend ourselves and others in not expecting anyone to do anything except travel. Also, I am fairly sure that there are infinite things in Christianity that require a long-term journey mind-set. But... just bear with me... what if this shallow grace isn't something Jesus is interested in giving? Don't get me wrong, Jesus is infinitely grace-giving, but what if there are areas he doesn't give or accept this shallow grace? For instance: We pray the Lord's prayer and we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others... Is this something we mean? Does this need a journey? Is this forgiveness something we need to grow up into...

I composed a "Faith-Based" Music list to my life's soundtrack for a professor... I geeked out and went overboard. Thought I would publish it here so (1) people could see what my life sounds like (2) get inspired and pick us some great tunes (3) may add on to a genre that I am missing... Hope you enjoy! "... I promised myself that I would only listen to faith inspired music and have thus made it my goal to find the best of the best. If you are looking for some down tempo folk, I echo the above that Jon foreman's solo stuff is soooo good. I enjoy "Instead of a Show" ( http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=JrY1-gPM0KY ) or "House of God Forever" ( http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=uoXWIK1lfyo ). If you like some rock, especially a little thought rock with sometimes a hint of a smidgen of reggae with always great rhythm, you might like Edison Glass. So many favorites here so I will throw out the hits, "Let Go" ( http://www.youtube....