The Blog
Jesus was a (strange) storyteller
Jesus was a storyteller. The types of stories he told are called parables. Parables are very short, simple stories that convey deep, hidden philosophical truths.
Why bad things happen to "good" people
One of the most significant objections to the idea of God is that if there is a good God, he wouldn't allow suffering. Jesus completely upends that, though. The argument goes like this:
Yes, we're all hypocrites, but …
One of the most significant objections people have to taking Jesus seriously is the hypocrisy they see among Christians. Perhaps this resonates with you? It resonates with me. Mostly because I can be a hypocrite, sadly.
What is faith anyway?
I remember when I was younger, the basic impression I got from religious people was that I had to have "faith." Faith just in general, but sometimes more specifically in "god," generically. But faith is worthless first of all if it is not in Jesus, and also if it doesn't show itself in action.
You know deep down this is true
You don't need someone to give you evidence that there is a God. You know deep down that there must be more to life than meets the eye. The complexity, the magnitude, the beauty.
Man in white
Jesus is still alive and is active in our world. One evidence of this is the enormous number of Muslims over the last 20 or so years who have had dreams where Jesus ("Isa" in Arabic) appears to them. Typically, these dreams are of a man in bright white light who either identifies himself as Jesus or gives them instructions to find followers of Jesus who will show them what to do.
What it means to follow him
There is a troubling confusion afoot. For so long, people have said things like this: that we need to believe in God. That we need to accept Jesus, perhaps even accept him in our hearts.
When the author enters his own story
Who is Jesus? There are many things we could say to answer this question, but I want to focus on just one idea here, in case you aren't familiar with this data point. It's actually the data point that Christmas is all about (I know it's not Christmas yet, but this point is worth emphasizing).
Where should I start?
“I want to learn more about Jesus. Where should I start?” It’s a question people have asked me, including someone close to me quite recently.
Talking to Jesus
Do you ever pray? And what does that mean anyway? When most people think of prayer, they think of a style of religious talk at God that sounds very different from how we speak to each other.
For the seeker, secular, and spiritual-but-not-religious
Hey there! If you’re unsure about your beliefs or what to make of Jesus, but you’re curious and seeking, this blog is for you. I know what it's like. I spent the first 26 years of my life not following Jesus.