I recently watched the movie Chocolat starring Juliette Binoche, Judie Dench, Alfred Molina, and Johnnie Depp. I watched the movie because it was mentioned in a book I've been reading called The Shaping of Things to Come. I enjoyed the movie at numerous levels: landscapes, use of color, story, imagery, acting, etc. But the reason …
Missional: Existing for Others
Mel Lawrenz, Senior Pastor at Elmbrook, passed the following quotation from Paul Borden's recent book Direct Hit to me:Healthy congregations are defined by sacrifice... They exist more for those who are currently not part of the group than for those who comprise the current congregation.This is what being missional is all about: existing for the …
Robert E. Webber – his influence
This is a follow-up to my post yesterday about a mentor of mine, Dr. Robert E. Webber. For a more thorough biographical sketch, you can find a press release from Northern Seminary here.Bob was the first person to get me to think historically about my faith and theology. In a Christian Thought class that I …
Dr. Robert E. Webber: 1933-2007
I recently received word that a profound teacher and mentor of mine, Dr. Robert E. Webber, passed away Friday night, April 26, at 6:10 PM. Bob had been fighting pancreatic cancer for 8 months.Bob was a theology professor of mine at Wheaton College and then was a chief influencer in my decision to attend Northern …
Hearing from God
Last night at The Ave, I was speaking about 'Hearing from God'. I focused in on Jesus' statement to his hearers: 'Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear" (Matthew 11:15). Jesus uses this phrase often after telling parables or relating simple truths about living in God's kingdom that are so profound we could easily …
Matthew Erickson 