Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 11

How do we grow beyond our assumptions about Jesus?

My church has been studying John’s Gospel over the last several months. And one of the most fascinating aspects for me as we’ve been exploring the book (and as I’ve been teaching) has been how people react to Jesus. Specifically, how they respond when he makes claims about his identity and purpose.

Questions about Jesus in John 7

In John 7, Jesus is teaching during the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles). This was a harvest festival that was filled with significance for the Jewish people. It ...

Gay Girl, Good God by Jackie Hill Perry (Book Review)

It was the title that caught my attention when I first learned of this book back in 2018: Gay Girl, Good God.

At the time, I knew a little of Jackie Hill Perry’s story of experiencing same-sex attraction. But only a little. Most of what I knew was from articles and videos discussing topics surrounding art and the gospel.

All that to say, I was familiar with Jackie the artist, not Jackie the person. But the title was all it took to make me realize I wanted to change that.

An honest and ...

Convictional and kind: The kind of Christian we should want to be

What do you want to be when you grow up? This probably isn’t a question you’re used to being asked. After all, if you’re reading this, you are grown up (at least I assume so). This is the sort of question you ask a child, expecting the answer to be a firefighter, doctor, rock star, or YouTuber. (I wanted to make comic books.) 

But here’s the thing: when you become a Christian as an adult, you might be a grown-up physically, but when it comes to your faith, you’re still learning to walk. 

S...

The two greatest gifts Timothy Keller gave me

Since the news of his death, there have been many touching tributes written about Timothy Keller. In ministry/professional circles, he was known as a pastor, bestselling author, and co-founder of The Gospel Coalition. His family, more importantly, knew him as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. And one thing has been increasingly clear with every tribute I’ve read: whether you knew Keller personally, or only through his books, he left an impression.

I’m one of the latter group. I didn’...

Keep modesty in its place

We’re once again at that time of year when evangelicals begin pontificating and/or handwringing about modesty. And in typical fashion the message is typically a warning or caution to teen girls and women to be careful to not wear too revealing clothes and cause their brothers in Christ to stumble. The implication of this mindset is that men are incapable of any sort of self-control; therefore it is women’s responsibility to protect men from themselves.

Which is, of course, a bunch of somethin...

The problem of evil and the goodness of God

We all know evil exists. No matter what any of us believes—if we’re a Christian, a Buddhist, or a moral relativist—every single one of us knows evil is real.1

Another act of evil was committed in the United States as I sit in front of my computer. Another mass shooting. This time at a shopping mall.

Using the world “another” makes me feel uneasy. I worry because it signals a normalization of these events. Normalization is acceptance. Acceptance of this sort, it seems to me, is evil.

...

3 ways to support authors (that they’re uncomfortable asking)

“How’s your book doing?” Whenever I’m asked this question, I get a bit anxious. I always have, even though I know I probably shouldn’t. After all, when I’m asked it’s because someone is taking interest in something important to me.1 It’s a way of showing support, and I am grateful for that. Truly. But if I’m being honest, this question is hard to answer.

The difficulty of answering the “how’s your book” question

“How is your book doing” can mean a lot of different things. But I suspect mos...

Read the Bible in bigger chunks too

What is the best practical advice we can offer a person who is growing in their faith or who wants to understand what Christians believe? Read the Bible. A consistent habit of engaging the Bible is key to spiritual growth. It’s why we have so many reading plans, devotionals, engagement techniques, apps, and Bible editions.

I am grateful for all of these. I’ve used them, developed them, and promoted them as part of my job. But there can be a flaw with these, depending on how we use them.

“...

Did Jesus claim to be God?

Did Jesus claim to be God? This is a question Christians are asked regularly, one we need to be able to answer.

It is common to hear it very confidently asserted that Jesus never claimed to be God. Bart D. Ehrman, for example, has made an entire career out of denying the deity of Jesus and the trustworthiness of Scripture. He believes Jesus’s divinity to be a later invention of his followers, not a fact of history. Ehrman is not alone, of course. He follows in the footsteps of academics who ...

Christian ministry is radically single-minded

What is the purpose of Christian ministry? The answer to this question is fairly straightforward, but it’s one that is always worth revisiting, especially when our perspectives become fragmented.

As my church studied Colossians in the fall of 2022, I was struck by Paul’s clarity of purpose. He knew what he was all about. He knew that the work he was called to was eternally significant, and driven by a clear purpose.

Paul described that purpose this way:

I became a servant of the churc...