JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Why Did Jesus Really Come?

Many people believe Jesus came mainly to secure personal salvation, but the Bible tells a much larger story. This article explores why Jesus came, how the kingdom of God reframes the Christmas story, and what it means to participate in God’s renewing work on earth. Ideal for the spiritually curious, skeptics, seekers, and anyone rethinking faith through a deeper biblical lens.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

What an Ancient Christian Poem Reveals About Jesus and Us

This article explores the ancient Christian poem in Philippians 2 and what it reveals about Jesus, power, humility, and what it means to be human. By walking through Paul’s teaching on the mind of Christ, it uncovers how Jesus redefined power through self giving love rather than control, and why this matters for anyone who is spiritually curious, skeptical of religion, or wrestling with faith today. If you are searching for a fresh and historically grounded way to understand Jesus, early Christianity, and your own spiritual healing, this reflection offers a clear and thoughtful guide.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Thinking Like the Messiah. What Paul Believed About Life After Death and Why It Still Matters

What does it mean to think like the Messiah. And what did Paul actually believe would happen the moment he died. In this deep dive into Philippians, we explore how Paul teaches his community to adopt the mind of Christ, how the gospel grows through weakness rather than power, and why your life still has meaningful work to do. We look closely at Pauls surprising comments about death, what he expected after dying, and how that connects to resurrection and new creation.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

What It Really Means to Be a Servant of Jesus. A Fresh Look at Philippians 1

There is a question many of us carry but rarely say out loud. What does it actually look like to be a servant of Jesus. Not in the overly religious sense that gets shaped by church culture, but in the way the earliest Christians understood it. That question sits right at the front of the letter to the Philippians and it is one of the reasons this ancient writing still has something to say to people who are spiritually curious and unsure how faith works in real life.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Philippians Introduction. Lydia, Philippi, and the Surprising Origins of a First Century Church

Before you can understand the letter to the Philippians, you have to know the story behind it. This article walks through Acts 16 to explore how the church in Philippi began, from Lydia and her household, to the enslaved girl, to the Roman jailer who asks, “What must I do to be saved.” Along the way, we look at Philippi as a proud Roman colony, how Luke and Acts fit together, and why early Christian letters like Philippians were seen as inspired wisdom for more than one local church.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

A Better Way to Read the Bible

Discover a better way to read the Bible that goes beyond daily checklists. Joe shares how slowing down, asking questions, and reading in context opens up the story and helps you hear what it’s really saying.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Rethinking Hell. What the Bible Actually Says

What is hell according to the Bible. Explore Sheol, Gehenna, and Hades, how translation shaped our views, why Jesus used the language of judgment, and how early Christians understood death and resurrection

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Is Progressive Christianity Hurting Christianity

Is progressive Christianity hurting Christianity. This article explores why the debate is so intense, how Scripture models discernment across contexts, and how doctrine grows through prayerful struggle. The aim is faithful allegiance to Jesus, truth in love, and a better way to disagree.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Finding God in Ordinary Moments

Stop chasing only big spiritual highs. Discover how to see God in conversations, laughter, grief, and simple acts of love that shape your day.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

How to Pray When You Have No Words

Prayer is not a performance. Discover an honest way to pray, guided by the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 130, with practical steps you can use today.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

When Church Stops Feeling Safe

Church is supposed to be the safest place in the world—but for many, it’s where they’ve learned to hide. In this article, Joe Oliver unpacks why so many faith communities become unsafe spaces for honest questions and growth. From rigid systems and performance culture to fear, shame, and misplaced priorities, he explores what’s gone wrong—and what Jesus actually calls the church to be. Discover a vision of faith communities marked by gentleness, confession, and real restoration.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Is Apologetics Helping Us Or Hurting Us?

Apologetics is often seen as the frontline defense of the Christian faith. But what if this practice of proving, debating, and defending is actually doing more harm than good? In this video, we’ll explore why apologetics may be unintentionally damaging Christianity, how it can miss the heart of faith, and what a better way forward could look like. Whether you’re skeptical, spiritually curious, or wrestling with belief, this conversation opens space for a fresh perspective on what it means to follow Jesus today.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Is the Bible Perfect or Full of Mistakes? Rethinking Inerrancy and Trust

Many wrestle with whether the Bible is flawless or filled with contradictions. This article explores the history of inerrancy, Augustine’s view, Paul’s own human moments, and what “God-breathed” really means. Rather than a rulebook, discover how Scripture offers wisdom and life that can still be trusted today.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Why Church Leaders Keep Failing, and How Jesus Redefines Real Leadership

Tired of celebrity pastors and church power plays? This long-form guide explores why church leaders fall, what Jesus actually taught about authority in Matthew 20, and how to find healthier communities that serve people instead of protecting empires. Crafted for skeptics, seekers, and the still-believing.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

Can I Be a Christian Without Going to Church?

Is church attendance required to follow Jesus? This article explores what the Bible says about church, the meaning of ekklesia, and why faith can’t be lived out in isolation. For skeptics, seekers, and anyone hurt by church, discover a fresh perspective on what it really means to be part of God’s people.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

What’s My Purpose? A Biblical Answer You’ve Probably Never Heard

You’ve probably asked it before: Why am I here? What am I supposed to do with my life?

In this writing, we go back to the very beginning—Genesis 1 and 2—to explore what the Bible really says about human vocation. Spoiler: it’s not just about getting into heaven. It’s about building something beautiful here and now.

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JOE OLIVER JOE OLIVER

If God Is Good, Why Does Suffering Exist?

Why does a good God allow suffering? Explore a thoughtful, faith-based perspective on the problem of evil, natural disasters, and human-caused pain. This article unpacks biblical insights from Habakkuk, Romans, and Revelation to help skeptics and spiritually curious readers understand God’s role in suffering—and why His answer might involve us.

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