Card Talk
Ben Christian
The Angel of Death (Hezekiah 3:18): A ...

It’s now time to address that scythe wielding, six winged, cherub whose coming heralds fear in the heart of humanity [read that reference again] . . .

The Angel of Death (Hezekiah 3:18): A Misunderstood and Theologically Vital Non-Entity
Card Talk
Ben Christian
Peter's need for Ritalin (Mark 9:5-6) OR What ...

"Peter didn't know what the Hell he was talking about. He had no idea what the mountain-top experience really represented...Moses & Elijah represented encouragement and a reminder to be attentive to faithfulness, because dark days are coming..."

Peter's need for Ritalin (Mark 9:5-6) OR What we can learn from The Transfiguration and Other Mountain-Top Experiences
Creed Card Talk
Ben Christian
“Although Surprising to Most, the Kingdom of ...

 . . . one year we’ll defend our belief in an incarnation timed for Sukkoth as there is no way Jesus was born in December, and we’ll write the Card Talk about how the wise men did not show up until He was three years old. Eventually we’ll even address the fact that the little drummer boy was actually a drunk Roman solider looking for his estranged wife (okay, we just made that last one up) . . .

“Although Surprising to Most, the Kingdom of Heaven is really like___________”
Other, Card Talk
Ben Christian
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) [An ...

Sadly, this Advent Card Talk is applicable every year...

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) [An Advent Card Talk]
Card Talk
Ben Christian
Jesus looking for a fight (Mark 11:11) -The Two ...

In discussing how fast "faith can move mountains," Matthew cuts Mark's three-day story in half. He speeds up the pace, chronologically and theologically. 

Jesus looking for a fight (Mark 11:11) -The Two Palm Sundays

Card Talk

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guarding your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:7) [A 2017 New Year's Card Talk & Minor Critique of Christian Fatalism]

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guarding your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:7) [A 2017 New Year's Card Talk & Minor Critique of Christian Fatalism]

As we ponder the new year we would like to make a simple biblical suggestion: "God is in control" is often an example of Christian fatalism: an anti-intellectual, un-spiritual, amoral cop-out. God may have work to do, but so do you. 

Samson: A Cautionary Tale

Samson: A Cautionary Tale

Here's the tl:dr for the lazy: Judges does not present Samson as a hero. The context and structure of the book, as well as the context and structure of Samson's story all point to the same thing: Samson was a self-absorbed human being manipulated, not used, by God.  He is an example to be avoided, not upheld. 

God Smearing Shit on your Face (Malachi 2:3)-- An Introduction to our Theology of Swearing

God Smearing Shit on your Face (Malachi 2:3)-- An Introduction to our Theology of Swearing

"...Technically Malachi said God is smearing shit on your face and we’re just quoting him. And if you believe in divine inspiration of Scripture, then God told Malachi to write about God being a shit-smearer..."

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"Women: shut up in the church" (1 Corinthians 14:34) & "Head-coverings keeping angel-lust at bay" (1 Corinthians 11:6-10) [Guest Card Talk]

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"Women: shut up in the church" (1 Corinthians 14:34) & "Head-coverings keeping angel-lust at bay" (1 Corinthians 11:6-10) [Guest Card Talk]

"In the first century, the subjugation and silencing of women was standard issue, and shouldn’t come as a surprise. What should come as a surprise is that Paul was participating in it." 

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Being tricked into circumcision, and while still sore, having your throat slit...because you raped my little sister (Genesis 34) [A Guest Card Talk]

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Being tricked into circumcision, and while still sore, having your throat slit...because you raped my little sister (Genesis 34) [A Guest Card Talk]

"While we may be able to emotionally relate to some elements of this story, the world in which it takes place is utterly unrecognizable to us. We can’t bring really any assumptions into the narrative as we read. It’s a shock to the system."