Content exploring life, theology, faith, and the church.
Genesis 2:21: It Wasn't Surgery, It Was a Vision
Genesis 2:21 says God took one of Adam's ribs. Except the Hebrew word almost never means rib, and that one detail changes how we read the whole story of Eve.
What Does "Heretic" Actually Mean? (You're Probably One Too)
Heretic gets thrown around like a verdict. But the Greek word behind it simply means a choice, and once you see how Josephus, Paul, and Irenaeus used it, the word loses a lot of its sting.
When Were Chapters and Verses Added to the Bible? And How They Changed the Way We Read It
Your Bible's chapter and verse numbers weren't there when it was written. They were added centuries later, and they've quietly trained us to read the Bible one line at a time.
Does God Need You to Defend Him? What the Bible Really Says About Defending God
The first person to defend Jesus did it with a sword, and Jesus told him to put it away. What if God never needed defending, and what he wants is for us to know him?
Was Christianity Ever Unified? How Christian Beliefs Changed Over Time
Most of us were handed a story where all Christians once believed the same thing. Church history tells a messier story, and I think it's better news than we were told.
I Don't Know What to Believe Anymore. Is That Okay?
If you don't know what to believe anymore, you're not failing and you're not alone. Elijah fell apart too, and God met him there in a whisper.
How to Read the Bible Without Guilt, Fear, or a Checklist
If reading the Bible has felt like a chore you keep failing at, you're not alone. Here's a slower way to read it, as one big story, and without the guilt.
Lydia of Philippi and the Background of Philippians: How a First Century Church Began
Before you read Philippians, you have to meet the people Paul was writing to. A businesswoman from Thyatira, a jailer with a sword in his hand, and a girl nobody bothered to ask about.
What Did Jesus Teach About Hell? Sheol, Gehenna, and Hades Explained
Your English Bible says hell, but the biblical writers used Sheol, Gehenna, and Hades, and they didn't mean the same thing. Here is what Jesus was actually warning about, and why it's better news than the cartoon version.
The Good News of Jesus: What Was the Gospel Jesus Preached?
We've been told the good news is a ticket to heaven. When Jesus announced it, he meant something bigger: the king had come, and the kingdom was breaking in right here.
Matthew the Tax Collector: Why Jesus Chose a Traitor
Matthew collected tolls for a regime his own neighbors hated. Jesus walked up to his booth, said "Follow me," and then went home with him for dinner.
New Testament Study Resources: The Four Books I Reach for First
You don't need a seminary degree to read the New Testament well. You need a few good tools and the patience to slow down. These are the four I reach for first.
Lectio Bible Review: The Most Readable Devotional Bible You've Never Heard Of
The Lectio Bible takes out chapter numbers, verse numbers, and footnotes so you can just read. Here's what it is, how it compares, and whether it's worth it.
What Order Should I Read the Bible In? And Is Reading It in a Year Worth It?
People ask me what order they should read the Bible in, and whether a one year plan is worth it. My honest answer: start with one book, go slow, and give yourself permission to stop racing.
Does God Hate Women? What the Bible Actually Says About Women
Does God hate women? If you've read the hard verses, it's a fair question. Here's an honest look at Genesis, Jesus, the women who led the early church, and Paul.
What Is Genesis 2 About? Why the Bible Tells the Creation Story Twice
Genesis 2 can feel like a rerun of Genesis 1, but the details don't line up for a reason. It's the chapter that tells us what humans are for: tending God's garden, trusting His definition of good, and never doing it alone.
What Happens After Death According to the Bible? Life After Death and the New Genesis
Most of us were handed a picture of heaven full of clouds and harps. The Bible tells a better story, one that ends where it began, in a garden, with God at home among his people.
Genesis 1:26-31 Explained: Humanity's Role in God's Creation (Unpacking Genesis 1, Pt. 3)
God made the world good but unfinished, and then he made people. Genesis 1:26-31 tells you who you are and what you're here for, and the answer is better than "you're in charge."
Genesis 1:1-2 Explained: Finding God's Presence in Chaos (Unpacking Genesis 1, Pt. 1)
Genesis 1 doesn't open with a science lesson. It opens with a mess, tohu wa-bohu in Hebrew, and a God who shows up right in the middle of it.
What Is the Best Study Bible? Which One You Should Buy and Why
People ask me all the time what the best study Bible is. Here are the four I keep on my shelf, and the one thing about translations I wish someone had told me first.