My friend Scott is frustrated with a pizza place. He enjoyed the food, he liked the prices, and he thought the service was acceptable. But he still feels like he’s been lied to — by the building itself.
Archive | Theology RSS feed for this section
Why a young person would want to leave Fort Wayne
by Jon Swerens on May 28, 2008, in Theology
It’s funny how a seemingly innocent photo can reveal a cultural fault line. This photo of a sign on Taylor Street in Fort Wayne posted on Fort Wayne Observed was greeted with this response: I think it’s on “This is Why Young People Want To Leave Fort Wayne” Street. That is: Christianity, or a certain [...]
What is the most crying need of the church in America today?
by Jon Swerens on May 12, 2008, in Theology
Here is how Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, answers the question, emphasizing the importance of cities: I’m throwing in with Jim Boice on this one (cf. his Two Cities: Two Loves.) The evangelical church must stay true to its biblical foundations, and it must maintain and enhance the effectiveness [...]
The architecture of altruism
by Jon Swerens on February 3, 2008, in Theology, Urbanism
(Jon) An article over on Comment magazine by Calvin College professor James K.A. Smith nicely encapsulates much of what we hope for in Fort Wayne. Below are lots of quotes from Loving our neighbour(hood)s: The architecture of altruism. It’s full of good stuff: The culture of “automobility” engenders a residential architecture where the three-car garage [...]
‘Good men are public blessings’
by Jon Swerens on January 20, 2008, in Theology
(Jon) There is no such thing as piety that is only private. The following verse is from our public confession at church this morning: “By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.” Proverbs 11:11 ESV If the upright remain hidden behind closed doors [...]
Great article: ‘Urban Paradox’
by Jon Swerens on January 9, 2008, in Philosophy, Theology, Urbanism
(Jon) Today I have the pleasure of pointing you to an excellent summation of what we’re hoping to accomplish here at The Good City. This article, called “Urban Paradox: Reconnecting Church and the City,” was published in byFaith magazine and written to a more general Christian audience, so it starts with a bedrock Biblical foundation: [...]
The four saddest words
by Jon Swerens on January 5, 2008, in Community, Theology
(Jon) What are the four saddest words you might hear after church on Sunday? “See you next week!” What a depressing sentiment! We saints gather together every Sunday under one roof. We enter the very sanctuary of God together, we praise Him together, we receive the Word together and share Christ’s body and blood together. [...]
The fallacy of survey-driven theology
by Jon Swerens on December 29, 2007, in Theology
Is the American church judgmental, hypocritical and too political? That’s what most young non-Christians think. What should your church do about it? Local blogger Charles Langley asked me to read his post on the book “unChristian” and let him know what I think. I’m grateful he asked. I recommend you go there and read his [...]
How to disagree agreeably
by Jon Swerens on December 21, 2007, in Philosophy, Theology
Last night’s blogger and politics conference was everything I had hoped for: An opportunity to meet with local bloggers and politicians and to get to know them better, especially while hanging out afterward at J.K. O’Donnell’s. But the evening had its low point. Moderator Nathan Gotsch played gotcha with a local blogger during Gotsch’s 40-minute [...]
Recent comments