Q&R “Resist Not the Evil Person”? Bradley Jersak
Question I was thinking about the passage where Jesus says not to resist someone who’s trying to rob you and I was wondering what that meant. Suppose a delivery I was expecting doesn’t come in, does that mean I shouldn’t ask for a refund? My common sense says no but the passage seems on the […]
Q&R with Brad Jersak: What does “children of wrath” mean? (Ephesians 2:3)
Question I have a question about Ephesians 2:3 and the meaning of one of the words that Paul uses in it. The Greek word is “phusis/phýsis” and it’s translated as “nature.” Here’s the verse: “…among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the […]
Let Go: The Essence of Forgiveness
QUESTION What is the essence of forgiveness? If I don’t forgive, will I ‘lose my salvation’? RESPONSE The word ‘forgive’ literally means ‘let go.’ If someone has offended me or sinned against me in some way: 1. Forgiving is NOT saying, I’m okay – I might still be suffering. 2. Forgiving is NOT saying, you’re okay […]
Q: How do we avoid cherry-picking the Bible for a God of Love of our own wishes? Brad Jersak
QUESTION: How do you respond to people who object that we are imposing our own ideology of peace onto the Bible rather than letting the Bible speak for itself. When you “unwrath God,” aren’t you cherry-picking according to our own wishes for what you wish the text had said rather than submitting to what it […]
The Scandal of the Cross [or Lethal Injection Table] – Brad Jersak
This week I have been pondering afresh the scandal of the Cross as I read (for probably the fifth time) an article by Wm. Paul Young titled “The Killing House.” He writes about his experiences in visiting men on “death row,” scheduled for execution, most probably by lethal injection. I began to imagine Christ dying […]
The Bible: what is, how it came to be, what it’s for – Brad Jersak
Memory Eternal: My friend, Eugene Peterson – by Brad Jersak
This week marked the passing of my friend, Eugene H. Peterson, into that place of brightness and refreshing, where sorrow and mourning are no more, and Christ wipes away every tear from our eyes. I don’t call Peterson ‘my friend’ lightly. Nor do I intend to pseudo-humbly, not-so-subtly name drop. In one of the more […]
“Space for All at God’s Table” – Brad Jersak
“Space for All at God’s Table” – Brad Jersak “The Jesus Way makes space for all at God’s table; it enfolds all people as those whom God loves.” —Greg Albrecht “It’s easy to call people out. It’s harder to call them in. But confession is a helpful start.” —Jarrod McKenna The Pharisee and the Publican […]
“THEY are IN?!” A Revolution of Radical Inclusion – Brad Jersak & Eric Stark
Why Did Jesus Come? by Jeannette Vandervalk
This children’s song, composed by Jeannette Vandervalk was inspired by Brad Jersak’s children’s book, “Jesus Showed Us!” and articulates a vision of what the Cross event was all about that is non-toxic for children. Why Did Jesus Come Why, oh why, did Jesus come? (3 x) He came to show us God, Who made you and […]