The Grace of the Holy Spirit vs. ‘Exemptive’ Grace Justification
It seems to me that the juridical (legal) translation of δικαιοσὐνη as “justification” (rather than “righteousness”) in our Bibles actually comes with an assumption (or even an agenda). Namely, to justify an exemption from existential engagement with the Way of the Cross. That is, ironically, Grace is taken as an exit ramp from […]
Q&R with Brad: How do predictions of O.T. events also point to Christ?
QUESTION I’m onto your new book, A More Christlike Word. I am no longer stuck on all the Old Testament violence. My reaction is now, “How in the world did I not know ANY of this growing up in the church?” But when I got to page 65 in your book, I paused and thought […]
“Stay in your lane, Brad” … I think I won’t.
In 2003, I began to write a series of books about hearing God’s voice, starting with Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God who speaks. Those works launched an itinerant ministry, training people in the beautiful practice of “listening prayer”—a contemplative practice with effective results in the world of “inner healing.” Nothing I’ve […]
Q&R: Why can’t I hear God’s voice?
Question: Why can’t I hear God’s voice or feel God’s presence, even after asking him? I only recently turned to Jesus despite growing up in a Christian household, and so far I’m only relying on other people to keep me from turning away from Jesus. I hear stories and watch videos exploring Christianity, but even […]
Revelation Retribution? Bradley Jersak
QUESTION Your book, A More Christlike God, really helped me see God in a new light. I used to be afraid of God and constantly thought he was judging me. Your book showed me that God is love exactly like Jesus. However, I wonder how you would handle some of the more violent and “judgy” […]
Q&R: Generational Guilt, Trauma, Repentance & Healing Brad Jersak
Question So much of what you say resonates with me and has some continuity regarding cruciform theology that I first came across through Greg Boyd. The more I have read and listened the more I have been thinking about the connection this has with trauma-informed thinking and practice. My work with trauma is around intergenerational […]
Beyond Sidestep Sorrys & Massaging Guilt – Bradley Jersak
Saying, “I am sorry,” can be very good and necessary. But as my friend, Paul Young, a survivor of childhood serial abuse, says, “Sorry, can and often does go other, unhelpful ways.” I’ve found the approach that 12-step takes to amends to be helpful and I notice how they draw a distinction between offering an […]
Zacheus Makes Amends – Brad Jersak
Luke 19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and he was unable due to the crowd, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up a sycamore […]
Q&R : God does not control but does intimately interact: A Contradiction?
Question I am about halfway into A More Christlike God (I preordered A More Christlike Word a few months ago as well!). Your work is refreshing to my soul. In fact, I conduct research among secular, Gen Z college students, and some of your insights address precisely their struggles with the Christian faith, most notably […]
“LOOK LOWER”: Grace in Affliction with Weil & Nightbirde – Bradley Jersak
How do we experience God in the midst of affliction? Where is the light during the “dark night of the soul?” Where do we stand (or kneel) as we wait for a dawn that seems so slow to come, if it ever will? Those who experience chronic physical, emotional, or spiritual pain know the temptation […]