Curated topics for a disillusioned church
A four-part docuseries that begins with the investigation of the resignation of Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Letnz in November of 2020 following the revelation of an extramarital affair, but pivots into the incarnation of the Hillsong empire and its founders Brian Houston and his father Frank Houston. This is a cautionary tale that churches should not be run like corporations putting profit and power over people and that if we put our faith in humans, instead of Christ, it is bound to fail.
The majority of humans would agree that murder is wrong and yet human history is littered with genocide, whole populations being kidnapped and enslaved, and wars replete with ghastly atrocities. How is it that we can say the murder of another human is terrible, but in an instant dehumanize a fellow human and perform, or at least allow, dehumanizing acts? In Less Than Human author David Livingstone Smith pulls from history, biology, philosophy, and anthropology to perform an in-depth analysis of dehumanization and why we seem predisposed to dehumanizing others.
The late pastor James Atwood believed guns to be the biggest problem facing the American church. Author Jemar Tisby argues that racism and white supremacy are. In Untrustworthy, Bonnie Kristian asserts the largest problem facing American churches is epistemic (epistemic -- of or relating to knowledge or knowing). According to Kristian -- the poisons of cancel culture, conspiracy theories, and skepticism of experts in conjunction with social media algorithms incentivized to make money at all costs are the largest problems facing the American church. Kristian posits that if we can't agree on whom to trust or what is true then everything else is a moot point.
"Cannabis is the good provision of a kind and benevolent God. It is not inherently evil," professor of Theology at Western Seminary Todd Miles says. But, before you drive down to your local dispensary Miles has much more to say on the subject in Cannabis and the Christian
What is the image of God and how should this foundational doctrine change how we interact with people on a daily basis? Find out in our image of God learning capsule.
After reading the article The Value of Human Life and watching Image of God Biblical Theme, dig deeper into the doctrine of the image of God with this four-part series that details the history of the doctrine and what the philosophy means for Christians and how they live in the world. The historical context that Tim Mackie and Jon Collins bring to the conversation cements the fact of how revolutionary Genesis 1 is and continues to be, although it is often lost on modern Christians.
Finishing a six-part series on what it means to be human Language of God hosts Jim Stump and Colin Hoggerwerf, along with scientists and theologians, turn their focus onto defining the complicated statement of humans being made in the image of God. Some have postulated that it is because we can see things as they are and how they should be. Others have said it is because we can repent and accept forgiveness. Is it biological? It is theological? Is it both? The duo explains the complexities (impossibility?) of trying to definitively define the term while ultimately concluding that we must approach the term with humility while looking to Jesus for how we are to reflect God in the world.
What if before we walked into a room we told ourselves that we represent the image of God in this room? In a challenging and insightful sermon author and pastor Skye Jethani says we have been taught that we are created to serve God, which he says is a pagan calling, but what we have really been created for is for representing God, which is a Christian calling.
Pastor David Ellis of Astoria Community Church (Astoria, NY) asks what does it mean to be made in the image of God? Is it our intelligence? Is it how we look? Is it our creativity? Ellis postulates that it is none of those as there are some people that are less intelligent and less creative as others, but are still fully made in the image of God. Ellis, instead, says that our capacity to have a relationship with God is what sets us apart and that God created us for three things - dignity, equality, and responsibility.
In a powerful essay author Jemar Tisby asks why many American Christians are not welcoming to the increasing diversity of the country when Revelation 7:9 talks about a diverse multitude standing before the throne of the Lord. As a result, Tisby calls for a modern-day reformation rooted in the image of God. Tisby goes one important step further providing clear, concrete steps such as renewed scholarship, diverse leadership, and making sure our orthodoxy and orthopraxy lineup while pointing out that it starts with us implementing these changes in our communities and organizations. This article is for those that have already have a solid foundation in the image of God and want a deeper dive.
Sunday to Saturday 
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