> faith
Fire Fairy Tale
Theologian and consummate wit G.K. Chesterton once wrote, "Fairy tales are more than true - not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten." [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] This idea comes to mind as I read the...
The Outsider Is My Salvation
If the person of Jesus is my salvation, then where is Jesus found? In those who are "other" from us, from me. Liberty, freedom, and salvation are in the outsider. [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] Peter Rollins calls Christianity the economy of the nobodies...
Hell Might Be Empty
[callout]A version of this post also appears on Patheos at the Unfundamentalist Christian blog.[/callout] Theologian Jurgen Moltmann once said in a discussion, "In the final analysis I believe hell will be empty." [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] God's Future...
How Shaving and Following Jesus Are Related
For years I bought into the shaving hype: Gillette razors. I always shelled out for the newest razor with 3 blades, then 4, then 5 including one on the back of the razor, even one that uses a battery and vibrates. [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] Then at the...
On Belonging
Sometimes our architecture and geographic plans can speak truths into our lives. [featured-image single_newwindow="false" alt="belonging"] Though we don't currently live on a cul-de-sac, we've resided on several in the past. One of our previous homes was located on a...
Why Suffering Yields Newness
I haven't met many people who like suffering. If anything, our frailty, pride, and sense of self seeks to avoid suffering. But maybe the willingness to alleviate and evade all suffering at all costs is misguided. I've been thinking a lot about newness, new birth, new...
Big Question :: Do You Need to Go to Church to Follow Jesus?
BIG QUESTIONS are short video talks on life, God, faith, theology, discipleship, and walking with Jesus. Short Video Talk Big Question #3 :: Do You Have to Go to Church to Follow Jesus? from Brian Niece on Vimeo.
The God Who Takes Risks
The God who takes risks has no fear of surprises. It’s God’s own riskiness that leads to his creation unravelling.
A Covenant to Serve God, and Only God
There's a song I've revisited over the years, when I need reminding of the call God has placed on my life. It's a song written to be used when celebrating Holy Communion. These lyrics continually haunt me: [featured-image single_newwindow="false"] Eat this bread,...
1 Reason Jesus Should Offend Us: Power
There are numerous reasons why Jesus is offensive. It always amuses me when Christ-followers and non-believers alike say things like, "I really like Jesus." No you don't! If you really listened to him and examined how he lived, you'd be offended more often than not....
What Does the Trinity Say about Forgiveness?
The Triune God gives us an audacious picture of forgiveness.
On the Living Word and the Written Word
I love God’s Story, Scripture, the Bible. I do believe that this text holds divinely inspired words. I’ve devoted the majority of my adult years to the study and interpretation of this text (and will continue to do so). But God’s Story is not my final authority;...