Category Archives: Theology Commons Chronicle

By Todd Forrest, MACollege of Theology May 16, 2019Prayer. As we look at our initial Spiritual Growth Challenge, it brings an immediate reaction to each of us. How can something so simple have volumes of books written about it, yet its effectiveness and consistent use in our lives, seem to elude us? We can pointContinue reading “Spiritual Growth Challenge: 3 Simple Ways to Optimize Your Life of Prayer”

By Daniel Diffey, PhDCollege of Theology January 31, 2019 In the Gospels, Jesus called his disciples to live for him, to die to themselves, and to be radically different than the world around them. This can be seen in places like Mark 8:34 where Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him denyContinue reading “Theology Thursday: How To Live for Christ”

By Numa Gomez, MDivCollege of Theology January 17, 2019 Many believe that Apologetics is a waste of time because no one has ever made a decision to follow Christ because of Apologetics. As one who teaches Worldview and Apologetics, I do agree that not many have been converted through apologetics, I would also argue thatContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Using Apologetics”

By Pete Charpentier, D. MinCollege of Theology January 03, 2019 It’s a new year, and many people are focused on becoming more productive. They want to get better grades, lose more weight, make more money, etc. When it comes to living as a disciple of Jesus, the idea of “productivity” has a place. An importantContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Fruitful Disciples”

By Rich Holland, PhDCollege of Theology December 20, 2018 Following Jesus as his disciple requires full commitment and obedience to Jesus. As expressed in Matthew 22:37, Jesus said that the great commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” Jesus’ reference toContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Loving God with Our Minds, Intellectual Activity as Discipleship”

By Justin McLendon, PhDCollege of Theology October 11, 2018 Over the years, I have accepted the reality I certainly will face when reading through any one of the great Christian classics again. Whether it is J. I. Packer’s “Knowing God,” John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress,” or perhaps less familiar, that time where the boy Shasta, in his perilous emptiness,Continue reading “Theology Thursday: Before the Face of God”

By Peter Anderson, PhDCollege of Theology September 13, 2018 We live in an unprecedented age of immediacy. Do you need to know the best Mediterranean restaurant within walking distance? No problem. Just ask Siri or Google. Do you want to visit with family or friends across the country or around the world? Sounds great. JustContinue reading “Theology Thursday: The Long Obedience of Christian Discipleship”

By Christina Larsen, PhDCollege of theology April 26, 2018 These past couple of weeks students in my theology classes have been considering the trickiness of discussing God’s sanctification of His people without collapsing this work into either His work of justification or Christian ethics. As many of you no doubt experience, the challenges in thisContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Sanctification and the Holy Trinity”

By Ryan Brandt, PhDCollege of Theology April 12, 2018 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18) “This vision is beatific. It beatifies. It transforms the soul intoContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Reflections on the Beatific Vision and Sanctification”

By Justin McLendon, PhDCollege of Theology April 05, 2018 Pastors and ministry leaders often struggle over diversity issues in their churches. Books, seminars, conferences and popular podcasts compel us to think through the deep implications of diversity for the health and vibrancy of the local church. From my perspective, while these conversations are necessary andContinue reading “Theology Thursday: Multigenerational Churches”