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Coffee With Bonhoeffer

With culture shifts and upcoming generations sometimes focusing more attention on the present and future, earlier teachings from wise men and women worth learning from can be overlooked. Perhaps one of these teachers being German theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, widely known for his writings amidst his actively anti-Nazi stance in the World War II era. In this week's piece, Jared Myer, a student at Southeastern University, invites us on a personal journey into Bonhoeffer's letters, and shares his takeaways from engaging with teachers from the past.... Read More...

The Dangers of Personality Testing

Personality tests, such as the Enneagram or Myers-Briggs, offer opportunity for deeper understanding and growth in ourselves, and healthier relationships with others. But if we are not careful, these helpful tools can become hurtful, minimizing people to mere stereotypes, and excusing behavior that needs to change. In this week's post, Austin Spiller, a graduate student at Southeastern University's Divinity School, takes a look at how we as Christians can use these tools in a positive way. ... Read More...

Disagreeing Without Damaging

The question in our relationships is not whether or not we will disagree, but when it will happen, and what it will be about. Despite the inevitability of differing opinions these arguments are often mishandled. This week, missionary Tori Rasmussen shares a few principles of how to engage with others concerning topics we can't agree on, for civility's sake.... Read More...

Is Cancel Culture Canceled?

"She's canceled." "I don't support him anymore, did you hear what he did?" These are phrases that pop culture has normalized in an attempt to hold those in positions of power to a certain moral standard. While taking the actions of those in such positions seriously shows the potential of a public commitment to justice, it so often lacks an offer of redemption. This week, PhD student Justin Rose examines how Christians can earnestly and positively engage with these public calls to accountability.... Read More...

How Then Shall We Address Impeachment?

We should expect our politicians to extend a loving heart and concern for those who need a lifting hand. In our call for caring politicians, we as a community participate through our political commitments in lifting-up the whole of society. In this week’s post, Dr. Zachary Tackett, church history and theology professor at Southeastern University, discusses the modern impeachment relevance in today’s political climate and how we as believers might react in response. ... Read More...

Lord, This is Your Year

It is a well-intentionedphrase, but one that some fear may cause more harm than good: “This is youryear!” In this week’s post, Rebecca Clark, graduate student at SoutheasternUniversity, discusses this common phrase often encountered in the church and,what instead, believers may celebrate as they ring in 2020. ... Read More...

Unity of the Spirit until Unity of the Mind

One does not need to remain invisible or passive to be Christlike in a community, nor does one need vehemently defend all beliefs that are passionately held. There is a better way to handle disagreement in a community. In this week’s post, Austin Spiller,graduate student at Southeastern University’s Divinity School, draws a relevant comparison between our firm understandings of taboo subjects and how we as believers communicate them with those we love. ... Read More...

The Significance of the Holy Spirit at Christmas

The biblical stories of Jesus’ birth aren’t there just to tell us about how Jesus happened to come into the world. They are there to remind us of Jesus identity. As the angels told the shepherds, Jesus was not just any baby; he is “the Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11). In this week’s post, Andrew Gabriel, author and theologian, discusses the significance of the Holy Spirit during a time when its relevance is often forgotten amidst the busyness from the holiday season. ... Read More...

The Church and the Other

The language we as the church often embody conveys that we have blocked those outside the faith versus inside the church by constructing unseen walls. How can this be so, if we claim to welcome all? In this week’s post, Jenna MacFarlane, senior at Southeastern University, addresses this imbalance within communities and how we as the church can develop healthier language in helping the Other feel authentic belonging. ... Read More...