Monthly Archives: July 2011

God Is a Community of Persons

Posted on July 31, 2011 by John Armstrong

Perhaps the most astounding discovery of my last ten years or so has been the realization that God is a community of persons existing in an eternal relationship of love. The Father loves the Son. This is more than a … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, The Trinity | 4 Comments

The Trinity Is Not an Abstract Doctrine

Posted on July 30, 2011 by John Armstrong

I wrote yesterday about my growing awareness of the love of God as a community of persons. I was brought into this community by faith in the Son of God and through Christian baptism. This is why I was baptized … Continue reading →

Posted in Lordship of Christ, The Trinity | 1 Comment

The Great Reversal

Posted on July 29, 2011 by John Armstrong

Historians have long written of what they call “The Great Reversal.” By this term they are referring to a time in the early twentieth century when evangelical Protestants turned away from their earlier position about the poor, a position that … Continue reading →

Posted in Jesus, Kingdom of God, Poverty | 2 Comments

“God’s Preferential Option for the Poor”

Posted on July 28, 2011 by John Armstrong

Over the last two centuries wealth has grown in the West. Now it spreads to other parts of the world through a growing globalized economic system. I am a huge proponent of this growth and believe one way of addressing … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Poverty | 1 Comment

The Church and the Poor in Our Midst

Posted on July 27, 2011 by John Armstrong

My post on Monday, regarding the politics of cutting the federal budget and the dangers of these cuts harming the poor in the process of attempting to balance our federal budget, struck a nerve. For this I am grateful. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Poverty | 5 Comments

Winning and Losing: Culture Markers That Destroy the Quest for Unity in the Church

Posted on July 26, 2011 by John Armstrong

The idea of “winning” and “losing” prevails in our culture. No one likes to come in second thus we are all conditioned to win. In fact, we now have a culture that seeks to promote winning while at the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Missional Church, The Church, The Future, Unity of the Church | Leave a comment

My Struggle with The GOP’s Hard Stance on Social Services

Posted on July 25, 2011 by John Armstrong

The Republican Party opposes the continual escalation of government with a passion. (The consistency of this stance is debatable historically but I’m not addressing this matter in this particular post.) How will we stop the ever rising debt that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs, Economy/Economics, Politics, Poverty | 8 Comments

A Reformed Liturgy for Communion

Posted on July 24, 2011 by John Armstrong

I am often amazed at just how little some Christians understand their own church and the theology that church affirms. This is particularly true with regard to the understanding many in the Reformed churches have of communion. Very few Reformed … Continue reading →

Posted in Reformed Christianity, Sacraments, The Church | 3 Comments

Dealing with Consumerism Through Biblical Asceticism

Posted on July 23, 2011 by John Armstrong

Let’s face it – there is a growing personal freedom that comes by living in a culture deeply rooted in materialism and consumerism. If I have enough money, and the desire to spend it, I can buy a new car, … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economy/Economics, Spirituality, Wealth | 1 Comment

Does Economic Freedom Lead to Consumerism?

Posted on July 22, 2011 by John Armstrong

A number of false conclusions are drawn by focusing only on outcomes. A common one focuses on the dangers of free markets and an open economy. Critics, especially earnest Christian critics, often attack economic freedom and capitalism based upon the … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economy/Economics, Wealth | 7 Comments