Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible....I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in …
Spiritual Freedom and Religious Captivity: thoughts from Galatians 5
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery....You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:1, 13) …
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Ephesians: A Crash Course in Basic Christianity
This past weekend at Eastbrook Church, we began a ten-week series walking through the New Testament book of Ephesians, entitled "Ephesians: A Crash Course in Basic Christianity." Written by the Apostle Paul as a circular letter for young churches in Asia Minor, Ephesians covers the basics of our faith: God’s plans in Jesus for humanity, …
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The Good News of Jesus
This weekend, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Eastbrook Church, we will begin a two-week message series exploring "The Good News of Jesus." Drawing upon the post-resurrection accounts within the Gospel of John, we want to bring into sharper focus the ways in which Jesus brings good news to the world. April 20/21 …
Recovering our way: Thomas Oden on the Antinomian infection in North American Christianity
My continued reflections on pastoral ministry, the church, and what it means to be in ministry in North America led me back to Thomas Oden's Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry. I first read this book while still an undergrad at Wheaton College but enrolled with special permission in a graduate level class entitle "Pastoral Ministry," I …
Matthew Erickson 