Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship challenges the way we think about salvation to the core. Is grace really so simple as a wave of the Deistic wand, and–*poof*–sins forgiven, nothing else necessary? Grace was meant to do more than justify sin. In fact, it wasn’t meant to justify sin. Sin will never be justified; it will alwaysContinueContinue reading “Part 2: Costly Grace”
Author Archives: Chad C. Ashby
Part 1: Cheap Grace
I have really enjoyed learning from and reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and if you have been following my blog any length of time, I apologize for all of the recent posts from his works. And…I know what I am about to do runs directly contrary to what I wrote in Retweets, Reposts, and Links: Gimme Something Original,ContinueContinue reading “Part 1: Cheap Grace”
The Misinterpreted Great Commission
Has anyone ever told you that the Great Commission is mistranslated in your Bible? It’s one of those passages that people love to point out: “You see, the translators got it wrong here.” I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this exact same line: “The first word of the Great Commission isContinueContinue reading “The Misinterpreted Great Commission”
Do You Love Your Diet More than Jesus?
Would your friends more quickly characterize you as “gluten-free”, “vegan”, “pro-organic”, “pro-free-range”, etc., than as a “Christian”? Do you abstain from eating at others’ houses or with other people out of fear that they might expect you to eat something that’s against your diet? Do you share your views on food and diet with moreContinueContinue reading “Do You Love Your Diet More than Jesus?”
There’s a Little ‘Yeezus’ in Each of Us
Kanye West just released his highly anticipated album Yeezus this past week, and what more can I say–he’s still rapping about money, women, and excess. However, unlike the tracks on previous albums that dressed this depravity in the bright sounds of the big brass band, the crooning of R&B featured artists, and the throwback of oldContinueContinue reading “There’s a Little ‘Yeezus’ in Each of Us”
Mark Twain and “Unconscious Plagiarism”
Over the past couple of months I have been reading Mark Twain’s Autobiography in parts. The work lends itself to being picked up and put down in intervals, considering the work itself was written in that very manner–dictated in various countries, at different times, and in pieces. Besides being thoroughly entertaining, the book also containsContinueContinue reading “Mark Twain and “Unconscious Plagiarism””
Church Planters, Be Advised: A Letter from the Year 2063
I am a pastor of a church that was planted 50 years ago. Many church plants that survive will eventually get to the place where my church is fifty years down the road. It’s a delicate place. It’s a place where a pastor is helping the people begin to look for a fresh work ofContinueContinue reading “Church Planters, Be Advised: A Letter from the Year 2063”