Daniel Darling's Blog, page 11

The Way Home: Dean Inserra on preaching on Easter

In this episode of the special Easter series in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by my friend Dean Inserra, founder and senior pastor of City Church in Tallahassee. In this conversation, we talk about what it’s like to preach on Easter. He talks about the importance of not shaming people who only come to church on Christmas and Easter and advises pastors to make Easter simple.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Dean Inserra is the founding and lead pastor of City Church, where he leads the vision and preaching. He is passionate about reaching the city of Tallahassee with the Gospel, to see a worldwide impact made for Jesus. Dean graduated from Liberty University and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He holds a MA in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing a D.Min from Southern Seminary. Dean is married to Krissie, and they have two sons, Tommy and Ty, and a daughter, Sally Ashlyn.

Website: www.citychurchtallahassee.com
Twitter: @deaninserra
Instagram: @deaninserra
Book: The Unsaved Christian; Getting Over Yourself

This is part of an Easter series of podcasts, to celebrate the release of my book, The Characters of Easter. 

The Way Home: Asheritah Ciuciu on rhythms of the resurrection

In this episode of the special Easter series in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by my friend Asheritah Ciuciu, a bestselling writer and speaker. She is a gifted teacher and writer, and in this conversation, we talk about how she got started writing, why she loves it so much, how her time as a missionary’s daughter has shaped her, and what it’s like celebrating Lent now.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Asheritah grew up in Romania as a missionary kid and studied English and Women’s Ministry at Cedarville University. Her passion is helping overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through creative and consistent time in God’s Word. She is wife to her high school sweetheart Flaviu and mama to three spunky kiddos.

Website: onethingalone.com
Facebook: @asheritah
Twitter: @asheritah
Instagram: @asheritah
Book:  Uncovering the Love of Jesus

This is part of an Easter series of podcasts, to celebrate the release of my book, The Characters of Easter. 

The Way Home: Sean McDowell on Evidences of the Resurrection

In this episode of the special Easter series in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by Sean McDowell, an apologist who faithfully shares evidences of the Christian faith. Sean has written persuasively about the evidences of the resurrection. Join us for this conversation as Sean talks about some of the evidences of the resurrection and what it’s like to be a Christian in today’s culture.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Sean McDowell, Ph.D. is an associate professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He graduated summa cum laude from from Talbot Theological Seminary with a double master’s degree in philosophy and theology. He earned his PH.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over fifteen books including Evidence that Demands a Verdict, So the Next Generation Will Know, Ethix: Being Bold in a Whatever World, Understanding Intelligent Design, the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage, and Is God Just a Human Invention?. Sean was named Educator of the Year for San Juan Capistrano in 2007-08. His apologetics training has received exemplary status from the Association of Christian Schools International. He is a regular guest on various radio and TV shows.

Website: seanmcdowell.org
Facebook: @seanmcdowellphd
Twitter: @Sean_McDowell
Instagram: @seanmcdowell
TikTok: @sean_mcdowell
YouTube: Dr. Sean McDowell
Podcast: Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture
Book: Chasing Love

This is part of an Easter series of podcasts, to celebrate the release of my book, The Characters of Easter. 

What Are You Building?

Too often our politics is one of mere deconstruction. Our advocacy is less about building coalitions of support to advance human flourishing or to advocate for a vulnerable people group but is instead a kind of performative activism.  This is why often the fights we see play out in the public square are less between opposing ideas but between people who, on a political Venn diagram, actually agree with each other. Building something takes hard work and ingenuity and patience. But online purity tests, launched with memes and snark, are easy.

Today, our politics, our “speaking out” is not really advancing any ideas or meaningful change, but is a kind of narcissistic hero creation. We get up in the morning, look in the mirror, and see Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms or Dietrich Bonhoeffer in every interaction. This is why we justify canceling and meanness. We see ourselves as the righteous ones and those who even marginally disagree, as the evil hordes we are called by God to battle. We don’t actually want to get things done, we just want to be seen as a righteous prophet or hero. It’s performance art masquerading as action.

There is a better way to do activism. We live in a time requiring courage. Holding fast to Christian ethics and biblical orthodoxy will take spines of steel. But bravery isn’t measured in lazy dunks and self-righteous put-downs but in the patient and slow building of movements and institutions that can last.

Read more here

photo credit: Jeff Warren

Why Is Our Activism So Mean?

From the time I can remember, I’ve been an avid follower of the news. When I was a kid the news came in two ways. It showed up every morning at the foot our driveway in the northern suburbs of Chicago in the form of three newspapers: The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald and The Chicago Sun Times. And the news showed up on the radio, as I listened to the WGN Radio or WBBM Newsradio, the all-news station, and sometimes at the top of the hour on Moody Radio. We didn’t have a TV.

I also subscribed to magazines like U.S. News and World Report and The National Review. I always had a keen interest what was going on in the world. Today, of course, the news floods across our social media timelines and interrupts us in the form of phone alerts. Friend text us links. We can’t escape it, it seems.

As I said in my last column, I don’t believe Christians can adequately live out the demands of the gospel without active engagement in the world. In a representative Republic like ours, one of the ways we love our neighbors is to use our voice and vote to help shape the society our neighbors live in. For most of my life I’ve been involved in advocacy in one form or another, sometimes helping friends run for office, sometimes as a pastor helping Christians think through complex issues, sometimes marching for the sanctity of human life, sometimes using my pen, and, in the last decade, working at Christian organizations with advocacy as part of their mission.

I believe in this work. Christians should be at work like this in the world and yet today it seems our activism has become so … mean. I don’t want to blame social media entirely for this increasing meanness, because malice has been in the world since Eden. There are so many factors at work that have further polarized people. Yet social media platforms have given us a stage by which we can advocate for issues in a much more public and vocal way. I think this is mostly good, as voices can converge around issues and can build momentum for change.

Still, I’m starting to think many of us confuse a kind of performative activism with actual advocacy. There is a self-righteousness to the echo chambers we join, a thick “us versus them” mentality that exists. This is a problem across the ideological spectrum, from left to right and everything in between. We no longer speak out for important issues, we are primarly concerned about speaking against those who disagree with us, using the vulnerable as a useful cudgel against those who we consider our enemies. Sometimes these perceived foes aren’t even on the other side of the political aisle, they are people who mostly agree with us who aren’t, in our view, sufficiently angry online. There is an invisible set of unwritten social rules that take on an almost religious fervor. We are eager to exile those we deem not pure enough and mythologize those to whom we falsely attribute courage, in which being brave is measured by the degree of incivility.

But genuine advocacy, as opposed to performative activism, is about building a diverse coalition of people around an issue and pushing those in positions of power to make real change. Genuine advocacy is measured by progress—lives saved, legislation passed, outcomes reached—rather than the temperature of hot takes and the number of retweets. Today, to work across the aisle, to be seen standing next to someone who disagrees, even if done in the service of successful advocacy, is considered betrayal.

Our activism has gotten so mean. We are more interested in destroying people than getting things done. But this is not the way of Christ. There is a way to be both firm and unwavering in our convictions and yet openhanded and civil in the way we apply those convictions. Peter, no stranger to conflict, who would later be martyred for the sake of the gospel, teaches us that courage and civility are not enemies, but friends. In 1 Peter 3:15, he says to “have an answer for every person for the hope that lies within you, but do it with gentleness and kindness.”

What does this look like exactly? Some see kindness as useless, a crutch for weak-willed souls.

Kindness is an essential human trait, however. We are told that it was God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Kindness is a companion, not a barrier, to conviction. Sometimes it can help win over opponents and produce meaningful change. And sometimes kindness is met by hostility. But for a Christian it’s not an optional add-on, it’s an essential virtue.

We could also do with a bit more self-awareness and humility. There is so much righteous moral certitude on social media today, but are the daily deluge of declarative statements, designed to let a certain influential group know that you are with them and against the other—does this actually help produce change or does it just make us feel better about ourselves? We might approach the world with a bit more open-handedness, a bit more humility and thoughtfulness. Paul, no shrinking violet, who possessed no lack of courage, couched his strongest rebukes in his own fallibility. I’m the chief of sinners, he told Timothy before urging him to stand firm in the faith (1 Timothy 1).

Paul is saying this as a way of reminding himself that he was not always right about everything. And neither are we. There are certain things about which Christians should be certain, but there are many, many pragmatic issues about which we may have convictions that we should fight for but hold loosely. Our mission, when advocating, should be persuasion, not punishment. This, more than public posturing, will actually help those we seek to help the most.

photo credit: Patrick

The Way Home: Tom Schreiner on the Apostle Paul and the Resurrection

In this episode of the special edition of the Easter podcast in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by Tom Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpreation and Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dean of the School of Theology there. He talks about his conversion to Christianity, his calling to the life of scholarship and writing, and the resurrection and the apostle Paul. 

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Thomas R. Schreiner holds an MDiv and ThM from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has published a number of articles and book reviews in scholarly journal. Schreiner joined the Southern faculty in 1997 after serving 11 years on the faculty at Bethel Theological Seminary. He also taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University. Schreiner, a Pauline scholar, is the author or editor of several books including, Romans, in the Baker Exegetical Commentary Series on the New Testament; Interpreting the Pauline Epistles; The Law and Its Fulfillment: A Pauline Theology of Law; The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance; Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives of Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace, co-edited with Bruce A. Ware; Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of I Timothy 2:9-15; Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology.

Website:  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Twitter: @DrTomSchreiner
Book:  Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology

 

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Tish Warren on the Rhythms of Lent

In this episode of the special edition of the Easter podcast, I am joined by Tish Warren, a gifted writer, Anglican priest, and very eloquent defender of Christian orthodoxy and the key doctrines of the Christian faith. She is the author of the book “Liturgy of the Ordinary” and her latest book “Prayer in the Night.” She talks about the rhythms of Lent and teaches us some of the practices we can do and why it matters that we take time to think about the death and resurrection of Christ, not just on Easter when it sneaks up on us, but in the days and weeks leading up to this grand holiday.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. After eight years with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries at Vanderbilt and The University of Texas at Austin, she currently serves as Co-Associate Rector at Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, PA. She writes regularly for The Well, CT Women, and Christianity Today. Her work has also appeared in Comment Magazine, Christ and Pop Culture, Art House America, Anglicanpastor.com, and elsewhere. She is author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (IVP). She is from Austin, TX, and now lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and two young daughters in a house chock full of books with no matching forks or matching socks anywhere to be found.

Website: tishharrisonwarren.com
Twitter: @Tish_H_Warren
Facebook: @TishHarrisonWarrenAuthor
Instagram: @tishharrisonwarren
Book: “Liturgy of the Ordinary” and “Prayer in the Night”

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

How Pastors Can Combat Conspiracy Theories

It came as a text from a very close friend: “Did you know Mike Pence is part of a global human trafficking ring?”

I didn’t really even know where to begin. I know people who have worked closely with the former vice president and repeatedly vouch for his character and integrity. What’s more, if a conservative vice president was leading this vast global criminal enterprise, certainly media outlets, especially hostile ones, would have reported it.

There have always been conspiracy theories in human history because human history is full of conspiracy and evil. Sin has marbled its way so thoroughly into the human heart, every generation sees brokenness and evil makes its way into the highest reaches of power.

And yet, so many theories—ideas of secret knowledge—are often just fantasies that appeal to our deepest fears and strongest biases.

Yet these are theories even many Christians are prone to believe as Lifeway Research recently found. In this study, nearly half (49%) of the pastors surveyed indicated they have heard members repeating conspiracy theories.

So how do faithful pastors and gospel-centered churches combat this flood of untruth, especially in an era where trust of institutions is at such a deficit and dishonest information fills our timelines and invades our minds?

Read more here.

Image credit: Alpha Stock Images – http://alphastockimages.com/

The Way Home: Aaron Damiani on the liturgy of lent

This week on The Way Home podcast, I launch a special Easter series focused on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus alongside my new book “The Characters of Easter.” Today, Aaron Damiani, Anglican pastor at Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago, joins me to talk about the liturgy of lent. In this conversation, he helps us think about lent and how to draw our hearts toward Easter.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Aaron is Immanuel Anglican’s Rector and author of the book The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent. Aaron holds a Bachelors degree in Pastoral Theology from Moody Bible Institute and a Masters in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. After moving to Washington D.C. in 2008, Aaron discerned a call to ministry while researching public policy at the Potomac Institute. He was ordained as an Anglican priest and trained in urban church planting while an assistant pastor at Church of the Resurrection on Capitol Hill.  In 2012, he and his wife Laura moved back to Chicago with a vision to raise up a vibrant Anglican church that would seek the good of the city.

Twitter:  @aarondamiani
Facebook:  @damianipage
Instagram: @damiani6
Book:  The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Dr. Carl Trueman on the modern self and the sexual revolution

This week on The Way Home podcast I am joined by Dr. Carl Trueman, Christian theologian and historian. In this episode, we talk about his book “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.” I think this is one of the most important books written in the past decade, as it helps us make sense of the moment we’re in.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Carl R. Trueman (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is an esteemed church historian and previously served as the William E. Simon Fellow in Religion and Public Life at Princeton University. Trueman has authored or edited more than a dozen books, including The Creedal Imperative; Luther on the Christian Life; and Histories and Fallacies. Trueman is a member of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Website:  Grove City College
Writing:  FirstThings.com
Book: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership.