A recent article I wrote on the late-term abortion controversy in our culture began trending and subsequently led to a wealth of feedback. Although it’s impossible for me to answer every individual question and critique, I have some follow up thoughts that I think are warranted, particularly as the abortion debate continues to intensify and is sure to be a central issue in the 2020 elections. As I started writing my response, three separate ones bega ..read more

   To Harry Potter, or not to Harry Potter: that is the question.Or to state it more plainly, how should Christian parents engage the world of myths, fantasies, and fairy tales? I understand some parents feel the need to protect their children from worldly myths, but I want to suggest that in so doing they may unwittingly be training their children to embrace the world’s greatest myth of all.Allow me to explain.The lie that will be repeatedly told to yo ..read more

Mark 15:1-15, Matthew 27:11-22Today is Friday.Jesus has been convicted of high blasphemy by the Jewish courts—claiming to be the Son of God.  The penalty is death.However the Jewish courts operated under the authority of Rome, and only the Roman officials had the right to carry out executions.  For this reason, the Jewish authorities bring Jesus to the Roman Prefect, Pontius Pilate, requesting His death.  Pilate examines Jesus and is unable to come up with one good reason why He should die.  Understandably so, he is deeply burdened by the idea of condemning an innocent man.  But at the same ti ..read more

John 13:1-17Today is Thursday.Jesus and His disciples gather to celebrate the Passover, but Jesus is about to change the meal forever.  He is to be the true Pascal Lamb, and tonight He will pledge to offer His body and shed His blood for the salvation and deliverance of His people.  Henceforth this meal will celebrate a new covenant—a covenant fulfilled and marked by the works and sacrifice of Christ Himself.  But first, Jesus will prepare His followers with a very unbecoming act.As a prelude to the cross, the Prince of glory kneels down at His disciple’s feet to perform the requirements of a ..read more

Today is Wednesday.After the uproar of the past two days, the religious leaders have had enough of Jesus and His antics.  He was a threat to them in every way.  If He was right, then everything they had believed and practiced was wrong.  The implications were just too much to accept.  It would mean a total reorientation of their religion as they knew it.  It would mean they had fundamentally misunderstood the Law and prophets.  It would mean the loss of popularity and control.  Indeed, to accept Jesus would be a death of sorts—a death they were unwilling to embrace.And so instead, they conspir ..read more

Mark 11:27-13:47, Luke 20:1-21Today is Tuesday.Jerusalem is still frenzied over yesterday’s drama and controversy, but Jesus isn’t done.He returns again to the Temple, Monday’s epicenter of commotion.  While yesterday was the day destruction; today is the day of instruction.  The divine Rabi stands in the Temple courts and begins to teach.  And the words of Jesus will instigate as much controversy as yesterday’s violence.He can no longer be ignored.  His actions on Monday and his teachings on Tuesday have placed Him front and center of the Passover week activities, and now everyone must decide ..read more

Matthew 21:12-16Today is Monday.Yesterday Jesus fulfilled what the prophet Zechariah had long ago promised, “Rejoice! … Your King comes to you, humble and riding upon a donkey.” His disciples are elated, the religious establishment is panicking, and Jerusalem is buzzing with the news of his arrival. The Nazarene is here! The One who speaks and acts as with the authority of God, the One who redefines the Kingdom of God, the One who is loved by many, hated by many, but ignored by nobody, Jesus of Nazareth has come to town.But what is the purpose of His visitation? Nobody is entirely sure. Could ..read more