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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) …
Continue reading "Spiritual Freedom and Religious Captivity: thoughts from Galatians 5"
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, …
Continue reading "Ephesians: A Crash Course in Basic Christianity"
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 …
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 …
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the …
Matthew Erickson 