Functional Theology

On January 8, 1956, on a sandy beach along the Cararay River in the rainforest of Ecuador, Jim Elliot and four other young missionaries met the end of their lives on spear-tips carried by the very people they had spent years preparing to bring the good news of Jesus Christ. Only days before, they hadContinue reading "2.10 — Jim and Elizabeth Elliot & Martyrdom and Mission"

How large must a church be to send church planters? How large of a budget does it before a church can raise up and send full-time missionaries? What if I told you that from Silver Bluff Baptist Church in Aiken County, SC, not one but two international church planters emerged from a small congregation ofContinue reading "2.9 — David George & Persistence in Evangelism"

I’ve finally found some breathing room to lay down a few more chapters of Romans. Here’s the first: Romans 10 laid over Roddy Ricch’s “The Box.” If these memory aids are helping you, or you are at least enjoying them, let me know! Regardless, I’m memorizing like a fiend–and that’s the point! ????

Myth and legend swirl through the shamrocked legacy of Patricius son of Calpurnius, son of Potitus the Catholic priest. Most of what we know for certain about Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, comes from his own Confessio,a defense of his ministry and belief written late in life. This autobiographical treatise along with a letter denouncing theContinue reading "2.8 — St. Patrick & Loving Your Enemies"

Another one. These tracks may not be helping any of you, but I’m having fun. I’ve been on a journey memorizing Romans and putting the verses to various tracks to help me remember them. This time it’s Romans 12 to Big Sean’s “Blessings”. As always, not a single word from the ESV translation has beenContinue reading "Romans 12 (Memory Aid)"

Lightning has struck in the same place twice…this time to the bump of the International Players Anthem. I’ve been memorizing Romans with a friend, and I’ve found bending the lines to various tracks makes them stick in my memory. When it comes to memorizing Scripture, I find the more outlandish the memory aid the better!Continue reading "Romans 11 (Memory Aid)"

In the mid 1850s, a call went out to the ministers of the Scottish Reformed Presbyterian Church for a new missionary to be sent to a chain of islands off the coast of Australia. John Inglis pleaded for another to be sent to help him, claiming that on his island alone “3,500 savages [had thrown]Continue reading "2.7 — John G. Paton and Steeled Conviction & Courage"

On March 20, 1747, a twenty-nine year old David Brainerd said goodbye to his congregation of Delaware Indians for the last time. His long battle with tuberculosis ended in Northhampton, Massachusetts, on a bed in the home of Jonathan Edwards. He passed away October 9, 1747. Brainerd had been a missionary for only four years.Continue reading "2.6 — David Brainerd and Power in Weakness"

In 1861, Hudson Taylor contracted a serious illness, forcing him to leave behind a fledging church of 21 believers in Ningpo, China, and return to England in hope of recovery. While away, the lost souls of inland China plagued Hudson’s conscience: “The feeling of blood guiltiness became more and more intense…every day tens of thousandsContinue reading "2.5 — Hudson Taylor and A Heart for the Lost"

Today 3,700 Baptist congregations in Myanmar trace their origins to the ministry of one man: Adoniram Judson. The only Burmese Bible in existence was translated by this Baptist missionary. Hundreds were set free from the oppression of Buddhism during his lifetime, many missionaries were raised up, and a legacy of gospel proclamation was laid inContinue reading "2.4 — Adoniram Judson and Counting the Cost"

A giant of the faith packed into a 4’3? frame, Lottie Moon was an incredible force for spreading the Kingdom to the ends of the earth. In this episode, learn all about her call to missions and how she herself trumpeted the clarion call to give, send, and go. Miss Moon shows us what itContinue reading "2.3 — Lottie Moon and the Missionary Call"

Born in 1750 in Burke County, VA, George Liele’s life is the remarkable journey from being a slave of men to the true freedom of being a slave of righteousness. Set free by his earthly master Henry Sharp to go preach the gospel to slaves on plantations in Georgia and South Carolina, hardship during theContinue reading "2.2 — George Liele and the Church as Global Witness"

Season 2 is on its way! This season we will learn about Missionary Heroes. Each episode will focus on one missionary and on one aspect of functional theology in his or her life. Episodes will feature the lives of Jim and Elisabeth Eliot, George Liele, Lottie Moon, Adoniram Judson, Hudson Taylor, John G. Paton, BetsyContinue reading "2.1 — Introduction to Missionary Heroes"

Maybe you’ve thought about trying to get into Scripture memorization. Maybe you tried to start this year but got stuck. Maybe you need some motivation. Here is everything you need, the why and the how of Scripture memorization. I give some tips, tricks, and advice while also pointing out a few pitfalls to avoid! I’ve beenContinue reading "1.10 — How to Memorize Scripture 101"

I’m going to do a podcast soon on Scripture memorization. But until then, I was trying to find a good time to drop this…now is as good as any. I was going to try to explain this, but really, you just need to hear it. One thing, I have not reordered, altered, or changed aContinue reading "Romans 9: An Unconventional Memory Aid"

Gifts, presents, and Christmas resources for all! In this episode, I share lots of fun seasonal articles, sermons, and resources for you to further explore! Read more about the Magi: “Seeing Ourselves in the Story of the Magi” at IMB.org “Wise Men, Magi, or Kings? It’s Complicated.” at Christianity Today “We _______ Kings: How ManyContinue reading "1.8 — Christmas: Reformers, Unicorns, Grinches, and More!"

I’ve packed this episode with so much content you’ll never ask another question about the Magi. What should we call them? Magi? Wise men? Kings? And how many were there? 3? 10? Should we tear “We Three Kings” from the holiday section of our hymnals? Read more in my Christianity Today article Magi, Wise Men,Continue reading "1.7 — Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Wise Men"

Scrolling through the news. Scarfing down meals. Shuttling kids to programs and practices. After a frantic autumn, I feel like I’m doing everything half-cocked. I’m trying to slow down this holiday season by rediscovering what it looks like to feast with the King.

God is writer, which means two things for human beings made in his image: We are meant to be readers. We are meant to be writers.

I have a new podcast. And it’s got a quirky math pun for a name: Functional Theology: Relating the Word to Your Daily Life It’s weird. I’m weird. We all know it. However, there’s a weird connection between math and theology. I kind of embody that bizarre relationship. I majored in both math and biblicalContinue reading "1.4 — What Is Functional Theology?"