October 2019

Why Christian Pedagogy Matters

Jamin Metcalf
Education reform is one of those hot-button issues that nearly everyone has an opinion about. People from all different walks of life, political leanings, and faith backgrounds tend to agree that our education systems in the U.S., and in the West in general, need some significant improvements. This week, Jamin Metcalf, M. Ed. student, elaborates on a constructive reclaim of education’s core values within our capitalistic system and presents a renewed understanding of what these values should mean for modern pedagogy and Christian praxis. ... Read More...
6 min read

Are We Missing the Point behind “Jesus is King”?

Jackson Hirsch
Upon Kanye West’s newest album release, some Christian groups developed radical polarizing perspectives. Half of the church seemed to welcome Kanye with open arms, while the other fundamental half completely rejected him. The conversation has become almost entirely hinged on the discussion of whether to accept Kanye’s story of salvation, or not. In today’s post, Jackson Hirch, student at Southeastern University, informs the ongoing dialogue surrounding Kanye West’s latest album, Jesus is King, and suggests a new perspective for the church to consider. ... Read More...
6 min read

Encouraging Education in the Church

Grayson Campbell
An essential need for us as the church is to walk alongside members while they wrestle with theological issues – doing so gently – providing a non-shaming space for them to explore their thoughts, beliefs, and doubts. In this week’s post, undergraduate student William Campbell discusses his personal experience encountering theological misunderstandings in the church and how, through education, the church wields the power to inform its community rather than discourage questioning. ... Read More...
5 min read

Affirming Women in Modern Spirituality

Zach Tackett
The gospel writer Luke speaks of the Spirit coming upon all people … including women … that they may proclaim the prophetic word of God (Acts 2:17-18). Jesus authenticated women for leadership in ministry when he commended Mary of Bethany as she sat at his feet. In this post’s relevant discussion, Dr. Zach Tackett, professor at Southeastern University and ordained AG minister, unravels the significant and crucial role women play in Pentecostal circles while biblically endorsing their leadership in ministry. ... Read More...
6 min read

The Lord, Alone, is on His Throne

Peter Hartwig
The sudden boom of elevation in leadership materials has begun producing some ministers who know the ‘how’ of leadership, but cannot articulate the ‘why’ of Christian vocation with sufficient theological depth. In this week’s post, Peter Hartwig, theologian in residence at National Community Church and MDiv candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary, addresses the pressing issue to dethrone the study of leadership and, in the process, reconsiders its relationship to theology itself. ... Read More...
10 min read

The Kingdom of God in Pentecostal Missions

Robert Houlihan
The gospel that declares the coming of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15), has been recognized as transforming the lost from darkness to Light and from those in social chaos to Christian community. In this week’s post, Dr. Robert Houlihan, professor at Southeastern University, discusses the debated missiological topic of Western influence and how his experiences shaped a lens of social action corresponding to the Kingdom of God. ... Read More...
6 min read

God’s Care for Creation

Zach Tackett
Some Christians do see environmental issues as deeply imbedded in the Christian mission. Others see ecology as outside the bounds of Christian interests. We find others who take a position somewhere in the middle. In this week's discussion, Dr. Hackett, professor at Southeastern University, will be engaging with how the earliest expressions of the church might contribute to our understanding of the interaction of the mission of God and the nature of the ecology.... Read More...
7 min read

Muted Skeptics Spawning Cynics

Aaron Ross
We may find that if we listen, dialogue with, and engage authentically with those who have questions or false premises about the church, not only may we hear something we have missed, but we might even grow our understanding from it. This week Aaron Ross, theology professor at Southeastern University, continues from his recent post in the discussion of skeptics within the church and addresses how we as a community might gather our response. ... Read More...
3 min read