This is the third and final post in a series on Henri Nouwen's book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership (read part 1 and part 2). I'm writing on this significant book in order to continue reflecting on the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, which serves as the basis for Nouwen's …
Community and Identity: Part 2 of a reflection on Henri Nouwen’s “In the Name of Jesus”
Yesterday I began a series of three posts on Henri Nouwen's book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. I continue that series here by delving into the second part of that book: "From Popularity to Ministry." Doing Ministry TogetherI have read this book several times, but I continue to be deeply impacted …
Irrelevance and the Love of God: Part 1 of a reflection on Henri Nouwen’s “In the Name of Jesus”
One of the most incisive handlings I have ever encountered on Jesus' temptation in the wilderness as recorded in Matthew 4:1-11 is Henri Nouwen's book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. While the book is specifically targeted at those in ministry, I believe it has broader application to all believers. In this …
The “Must” of Suffering in the Christian Life: Insights from Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Cross-Shaped Discipleship
This from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship, which I referenced in my message this past weekend, "Baptized with Water and Spirit": Jesus must therefore make it clear beyond all doubt that the "must" of suffering applies to his disciples no less than to himself. Just as Christ is Christ only in virtue of …
Why Was Jesus Baptized?: insights from Theodore of Mopsuestia
One of the somewhat confusing issues in studying the gospels is the rationale for Jesus' baptism. In fact, this issue was hotly debated and widely written about in the early church. The question goes like this, "If John's baptism was a sign of repentance, then why would Jesus, who is described as sinless, undergo baptism?" …
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Matthew Erickson 