Tag Archives: missional theology

“A Pandemic is a Terrible Thing to Waste”

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Mark Love

I attribute my title to Pat Keifert, who has said this in my presence time and again the past few years. He could stop at “a pandemic is a terrible thing.” And it is. Think of all the ways it … Continue reading →

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The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me: Ministry in Luke, part 2

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Mark Love

Much has been made lately of a “king Jesus” gospel that turns the focus of the biblical drama to the kingdom of God, along with Jesus’ lordship over that kingdom. This makes saving faith for some commenters more a matter … Continue reading →

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Scribes Trained for the Kingdom of Heaven: Ministry in Matthew, Part 3

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Mark Love

One last bit of reflection on Matthew before I move on to Luke. I want to begin with an observation I made at the beginning of this “series” related to the gospels and churches. If you believe, as seems obvious, … Continue reading →

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Ministry in Matthew: Scribes Trained for the Kingdom of Heaven

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Mark Love

At the very center of Matthew’s gospel we find parables on the kingdom of Heaven. It is the third of five sections of Jesus’ teaching which end with the phrase, “When Jesus had finished saying these things” (We will return … Continue reading →

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How change Comes to the church

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Mark Love

The title of this post comes from the title of Pat Keifert and Wes Granberg-Michaelson’s forthcoming book, with the capital C on “Comes” added by me for emphasis. The book isn’t out yet (we hope to have the first copies … Continue reading →

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Salvation is bigger and different than we’ve imagined

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Mark Love

I mean, you can’t keep up with the literature. The books and articles and presentations charting revisionary directions on the meaning of salvation are like crickets in a Texas summer: plague like and chirping. There are two prominent themes. First, … Continue reading →

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Preaching the startling news

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Mark Love

So, if part of the saving work of the gospel is to startle us into a new perception of the world (see my two previous posts), then what should the aim of preaching be? Preaching, every week preaching, should be … Continue reading →

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Some implications of being startled

Posted on February 11, 2017 by Mark Love

In my last post, I suggested that there is often a connection between the word “gospel” and being surprised. The good news is not the same old, same old, because it is truly startling. And I wondered if this might … Continue reading →

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Startled unto Salvation

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Mark Love

I’ve been thinking a lot about gospel and salvation these days, and some things are falling together in ways that they haven’t before. Let me begin with the idea that the gospel is “news.” Shocking, I know. But we tend … Continue reading →

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The Patient Practice of Sail Making

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Mark Love

A little excerpt from the book I’m trying to finish on Luke’s view of the church. The movement and power of the Holy Spirit explains the practices and shape of the church in Acts. This statement bears some emphasis. In … Continue reading →

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