April 2019

The Merciful Minimalist: Clement of Alexandria on Living Minimally

The contemporary minimalist movement is deeply invested in practicing a renunciation that coincides with the reorientation of one’s desires. Its aim is to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. According to two prominent leaders of this movement, Joshua Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, the primary goal of minimalism is to live a meaningful life. While contemporary minimalists draw from the wells of Greek stoicism, there are deep resources that the earliest Christians of North Africa provide when addressing the topic of wealth and simplicity. The Christian theologian and teacher Clement (his name meaning merciful) of Alexandria (150-215 CE) developed a rich understanding of renunciation. This week’s article explores his vision of the Christian life focused on the reorientation of a person’s desires such that simplistic living, where giving becomes normative in one’s personal and communal practice.... Read More...

Dark Night of the Soul

When left unchallenged, our dialogue with God can become the way by which we measure our relationship with him, and often leads us to believe that God’s love and presence is limited to the functions of our behavior. In this week's article, Jordan Montgomery, senior practical ministries major at Southeastern University, highlights how painful deprivations press upon a believer's spirituality and how to overcome the darkness rooted from internalized suffering. ... Read More...

The Groaning of a Prisoner

Grace can cost everything you have to offer and more, but in the end you will declare with Paul, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us,” (Rom. 8:18, NASB). In this week's discussion Dr. Margaret de Alminana, associate professor of theology at Southeastern University, shares her rationale of spiritually rescuing prisoners based on her many years serving as Senior Chaplain of Women at the Orange County Jail. ... Read More...

@preachersnsneakers (pt.1)

Amassing over 120 thousand followers in a three week time span, the instagram account @preachersnsneakers has hit the Christian social media world by storm. In today's feature, Aaron Ross, assistant professor of theological studies at Southeastern University, enters this relevant conversation with a valuable perception that seeks to provide context and answers behind why this new account has escalated so rapidly - even more rapidly than the insta-following of the celebrity pastors themselves.... Read More...

The Church and the Academy

While some believe differences should separate the Church from the Academy, others disagree claiming that, in the interest of faith communities, the two function best intertwined. In this week's discussion, Dr. Ben Gomez, assistant professor and director of youth ministry studies at Southeastern University, presents evidence explaining why the church should unite with the academy and disregard the common either/or stigma.... Read More...