Christian theology speaks into that uncertainty with a radically different claim. Human worth does not begin with the self. It does not arise from recognition, productivity, or public approval. It is not bestowed by the market, by popularity, by talent, by health, by youth, or by success. Human worth begins in God.

America has become a people more eager to unite against an enemy than to unite around God. We know how to identify threats, expose corruption, denounce error, defend our tribe, and sharpen our outrage. We know how to speak with fire about what is wrong with the world. But too often we have forgotten how to burn with the love of God. Too often we have mistaken suspicion for discernment, hostility for holiness, and public anger for spiritual courage.

Ultimately, the goal of this piece is for us to begin to understand the danger and meaning behind the words we choose to use to describe Islam and Judaism within the world today. Because when we go about this out of ignorance, culture wars, patriotism, or some other faulty theological ideology, we not only cause harm to others, but potentially mock our own faith as well. 

The Beatitudes are some of the most beautiful words Jesus ever spoke, and they are also some of the most disruptive. In Matthew 5, Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount not with commands, but with blessing: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.“Blessed are those who mourn.”Blessed are the meek.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” These words are familiar to many of us, but they should still surprise us.

Explore the complex ties between Matthew 2 and Refugees in this insightful blog. Discover how the nativity story relates to today's immigration debates.

Explore Philippians 3's insights on enemies of the Cross and their characteristics. Discover why Philippians 3 emphasizes reconciliation.

Christians dont have enemies, we have neighbors. This is the most misunderstood teaching of Jesus coming out of Matthew 5. Because the call to love our enemies is actually a call to see them as neighbors instead.

There is a reason superhero and supervillain narratives do so well at the box office. It feeds a desire we all have as humans. But is this desire a part of how God wants us to live, or is it a part of the sinful nature of humanity? One of my favorite classes I have ever taken was an elective I took in my senior year of High School. In the first semester, we read the classic Greek and Roman Myths, and then in the second semester, we spent the year exploring the world of Comic