Category Archives: Jesus Shaped

The Jesus Disconnect (4): Paul and J.C. Ryle On Justification, Christian Growth And Christlikeness

NOTE: Many of today’s commenters should go to New Reformation Press and buy that “Weak On Sanctification” shirt. You’d look good in it. Some texts related to being “connected” to Jesus in salvation by faith and in growing as disciples into Christlikeness. Justification by grace, Kingdom discipleship and growth following. No “”Jesus disconnect here”: ColossiansContinue reading “The Jesus Disconnect (4): Paul and J.C. Ryle On Justification, Christian Growth And Christlikeness”

The Jesus Disconnect (3): Kingdom, Discipleship and Cross

The second half of the Gospel of Mark is dominated by Jesus’ focus on the cross. He begins predicting his passion, death and resurrection in chapters 8, 9 and 10, and arrives in Jerusalem in chapter 11. On the way to Jerusalem, starting with the first prediction in chapter 8, Jesus begins a focus onContinue reading “The Jesus Disconnect (3): Kingdom, Discipleship and Cross”

iMonk 101: What Was Jesus Like?

This May 2008 post is from a series I did called “The Jesus Shaped Question.” You can find it in the “Jesus Shaped” category on the sidebar. It goes along with the material in “The Jesus Disconnect.” Mark 3:20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.Continue reading “iMonk 101: What Was Jesus Like?”

The Jesus Disconnect (2): How does the ministry of Jesus fit into our consideration of Jesus?

UPDATE: In the latter part of this IM essay, I deal with some of this issue. I am continuing an extended series on how and why so many Christians are disconnected from Jesus as he is revealed in the Gospels. We began here. How does the ministry of Jesus fit into our consideration of Jesus?Continue reading “The Jesus Disconnect (2): How does the ministry of Jesus fit into our consideration of Jesus?”

The Jesus Disconnect (1): What and Why?

I want to write some posts exploring what I am going to call “The Jesus Disconnect.” Nothing has impressed me more in my last few years of writing, reading and discussion than the disconnect the average Christian believer feels from the ministry of Jesus, specifically his miracles, exorcisms, teachings, training of disciples and encounters withContinue reading “The Jesus Disconnect (1): What and Why?”

What Did Jesus’ Version of Community Look Like?

Commenter: Please explain what you mean by:”community as Jesus exemplified it”. Thanks It is the community that Jesus created and demonstrated during his earthly ministry. I would describe it as: Cross cultural: Jesus crossed every available cultural barrier to announce and practice the Kingdom. Counter cultural: Jesus was offering an alternative to the dominant culturalContinue reading “What Did Jesus’ Version of Community Look Like?”

Searching For A Community of Strugglers

Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. (Paul the Apostle, Letter to the Galatians, 4:19, NLT) This line from Paul has stayed with me for two days. It comes from a section of theContinue reading “Searching For A Community of Strugglers”

Where Is Church Discipline When You Need It? (Part 4): Does Church Discipline Always Look Like Church Discipline?

My posts so far have carried an agenda. I would like readers to consider what church discipline looks like when it is the church’s compassionate ministry to those who are suffering, rather than primarily a punitive action toward those who are sinning. I am aware that, according to a full understanding of church discipline, itContinue reading “Where Is Church Discipline When You Need It? (Part 4): Does Church Discipline Always Look Like Church Discipline?”

The Love Of Jesus Is Enough: A Meditation on Morality

NOTE: I have chosen not to post a larger number of comments than usual. If you want to know why comments aren’t posted consult the IM F.A.Q. where this is addressed in one of the questions. I could have posted some perfect examples of moral reasoning following our love, but I think the point isContinue reading “The Love Of Jesus Is Enough: A Meditation on Morality”