"I want to raise a generation of young people, imperious, relentless, and cruel." The man to whom these words belong is famous or infamous rather, for embodying those very characteristics himself. In an ambitious outworking of these very ideals Adolf Hitler would carve out his place in history, leaving a most pronounce scar on history itself, in the carnage he left in his path. During the Second World War at the outstretched hand of Hitler, millions would lose their lives. One German Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer would seek to place his hands in the ethical mud, plotting to kill Hitler in attempts to stop the killing. He would lose his life as well, executed for his troubles. Hitler however would witness his empire, built upon racial superiority, hate, prejudice, and violence, implode around him. He and his wife commit suicide, even their dog Blondi is poisoned. In the end, what went through Hitler’s head (besides that bullet of course)? If we were to follow his Darwinian/Nie...
The tension in a room is almost palpable when a man is asked, “so, why don’t we appoint women as elders in this church?” Even when asked innocently, the volatility in this question is unavoidable, as more than a century’s worth of social commentary on women’s rights barges into the conversation. Every pastor/elder, deacon, or male congregant in 2023, knows that a certain response will unleash a barrage of labels: “misogynist," “sexist,” “complementarian.” If his answer includes “we don’t, because in first Timothy 2 it says…,” he could be accused of bigotry, even by fellow Christians, especially Christian women. This is because for some, Complementarianism is nothing more than a theological euphemism that men use to christianise sexist thinking and behaviour towards women in church. But is this an accurate depiction of church governance, the scripture, or the men who uphold its imperatives? Have men in the church, through theological invention, found a way to openly discrimin...
While ingratiating myself with a new church here in Italy and in particular its young people - the Lord saw fit, in His kindness, to have me share in the joy of a few of its young people who crossed over from death to life (John 5:24). Even sweeter still, the most recent convert was won to Christ through the faithfulness of one of the members of the youth group who he attends school with, Soli Deo Gloria! I've noticed that books-to-read, has dominated my conversations with some of the youth - to make most of the fire God has started, while it is at its hottest. So I decided to compile a short list of books that I've found invaluable to my growth. This will not be an extensive list - readability and length will, for the most part, govern this list. I pray that this post is helpful for some to start, and for others to add, to their repository of brothers and sisters, past and present who fellowship, challenge and edify us through the pages. The Bible . Duh...right? Actuall...
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