Theology for Real Life

Artists in Our Churches

Mark Beuving — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:00:54 +0000

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in books published on Christianity and the arts. This seems to be increasingly on the radar in many of our churches and theological circles. Unfortunately, this renewed emphasis on art stands in contrast to the past four or five hundred years in which the Protestant church [...]

Divine Estrogen

Preston Sprinkle — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:00:59 +0000

The book of Exodus is filled with outcasts who become conduits of God’s grace and power, when God thunders from heaven to deliver his people from Egypt. If you have never noticed this, it’s probably because you’ve been reading the Old Testament through a thick moral lens—looking for heroes and saints to emulate, instead of [...]

Of the World but Not in It

Mark Beuving — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 12:00:56 +0000

As Christians, we are to be “in the world but not of it.” But what does that mean exactly? It can actually be a pretty confusing concept if we don’t give it some careful thought. Does being “in the world” mean that we hang out at bars and watch seedy movies? Does not being “of [...]

Theology Ought to Produce Humility, But…

Mark Beuving — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:00:57 +0000

It doesn’t. Not always. Not often, even. It seems that the more we know, the more condescending we become. We study the Bible to gain theological insight, then we set out to prove other people wrong. Theology becomes ammunition for debate rather than food for our soul. Rather than allowing God’s truth to shape our [...]

Now You See Me: Great Movies Affect Our Souls

Mark Beuving — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:00:17 +0000

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t seen the movie Now You See Me and plan to, you probably don’t want to read this until you’ve seen the movie. _____ I recently watched Now You See Me, and I loved it. It’s clever, funny, features a fair amount of action, and comes with an unexpected twist [...]