“Is God a Vindictive Bully?” by Paul Copan
Posted: October 28, 2022
Is God a Vindictive Bully? Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments Critics outside the church often accuse the Old Testament God of genocide, racism, ethnic cleansing,… Read More
Wildfire
Posted: October 4, 2022
Through the years I’ve read a good few books on progressive theology—on both sides of the issues. (And there are many!) An interesting book worth reading is Wildfire: How Progressive Theology is… Read More
Review of Origins in Science & Christian Belief
Posted: May 23, 2022
A Review of Paul Copan & Douglas Jacoby, Origins (Morgan James, 2019) has been published in Science & Christian Belief (the journal of Christians in Science, the UK sibling of the… Read More
The Church of Loveless Orthodoxy
Posted: March 16, 2022
A truly excellent new release—and one I’ve greatly enjoyed reading—was authored by my Canadian friend, biblical scholar Jeff Weima. Dr. Weima is Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary. Diligent… Read More
Renaissance: The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times
Posted: February 2, 2022
“Has modernity finally done what no enemy or persecutor has ever succeeded in doing and reduced the authority of the Scriptures to a shifting weather vane and the church to… Read More
David Gushee on LGBTQ
Posted: December 15, 2021
A thoughtful American sister recently asked what I thought of evangelical scholar David P. Gushee’s Changing Our Mind: Definitive 3rd Edition of the Landmark Call for Inclusion of LGBT Christians with Response… Read More
Truth About God (Christian Evidences)
Posted: September 22, 2021
Great Evidences Book Richard Knopp Today I want to tell you about a new work of Christian apologetics (defense of the faith). It’s Truth God: What Can We… Read More
A Church Called TOV
Posted: September 18, 2021
A Church Called TOV (Good) Review written by John Teal, September 17, 2021 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was… Read More
The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters
Posted: February 1, 2021
Review: ‘Irreversible Damage’ by Abigail Shrier JANUARY 29, 2021 | SHARON JAMES “Dancing mania” hit the city of Strasbourg in 1518, and some people danced until they died of exhaustion. Numerous children… Read More
Alister McGrath | Doorway to Wonder
Posted: November 5, 2020
BioLogos Alister McGrath | Doorway to Wonder Alister McGrath joins Jim Stump to talk about his book Born to Wonder. 10/29/20 Read More >
Why Do Politics Too Often Divide Christians?
Posted: September 22, 2020
Disciples Today • Sep 21, 2020 It is not new. People who share many spiritual convictions can come to such verbal blows and attitudes over politics that they divide relationships…. Read More
Peace Behind the Wire
Posted: September 3, 2020
Nonviolent resolution Share my experience in bringing rival gangs to the table and practicing nonviolence together in some of the toughest prisons in the country. Buy the book
Interview with Douglas Foster: Alexander Campbell Biography
Posted: August 17, 2020
Our DNA: An Interview With Douglas A. Foster I grew in Michigan, in a county with roughly 500 lakes. I spent a good portion of my childhood, barefoot with friends,… Read More
A Long Review of Yancey’s Beyond Racial Gridlock – Part 1
Posted: July 13, 2020
Part 1 – Synopsis Part 2 – Pros Part 3 – Defining and Repurposing Terms Part 4 – Conclusion Dr. George Yancey’s “Beyond Racial Gridlock” is one of the best,… Read More
The divided legacy of Alexander Campbell
Posted: July 8, 2020
Critical biography examines the ‘gifted but flawed’ leader of the American Restoration Movement. By John Mark Hicks When Alexander Campbell died in 1866, he left his legacy in a divided… Read More
Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, by Jean Henderson
Posted: June 27, 2020
Many of the 19th century novels are great character studies. In her talk on Mansfield Park, Jean Henderson focuses on the meek character of Fanny. If you want more Jane… Read More
A Life of Alexander Campbell – Douglas A. Foster
Posted: June 15, 2020
Recently, my wife and I took the “Emotionally Healthy Relationships” course developed by Peter and Geri Scazzero. During one session we did a genogram. A genogram maps out a multi-generational,… Read More
A Dream Worth Resurrecting, by Ben Brewster
Posted: May 30, 2020
A Dream Worth Resurrecting: by Ben Brewster Ben Brewster wrote the below for Common Grounds in 2018. His book “Torn Asunder” is a must-read! The below is a re-post. As… Read More
“Origins” highlighted in Publisher’s Weekly
Posted: May 19, 2020
One of my latest books was included in a Publisher’s Weekly ad. Publisher’s Weekly is the most prestigious name in the industry. “Origins” is 2nd from right, 3rd row. MJ… Read More
Faith and Finances Ministry
Posted: March 16, 2020
BOOK RELEASED FAITH AND FINANCES: A 21ST CENTURY BIBLICAL GUIDE FOR GROWING, PROTECTING, AND USING YOUR MONEY CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW! “Faith and Finances is a timely and much-needed… Read More
“Untangling Addiction,” by Marcus De Carvalho
Posted: March 12, 2020
Dr. Marcus De Carvalho is a world renown specialist in addictions and a great friend to SIW. In this e-book he introduces hope and the ability to overcome the “hijacking”… Read More
Muscle and a Shovel | The Christian Chronicle
Posted: November 6, 2019
Muscle and a Shovel | The Christian Chronicle Muscle and a Shovel is a raw and gritty true story about a pair of young newly-weds who move to the city… Read More
David Young and Eric Metaxas? Say no more!
Posted: October 25, 2019
Our very own cofounder, David Young, was recently on The Eric Metaxas Show! Leaders are talking about A Grand Illusion, you can join the conversation. Friends, In case you don’t know, Eric Metaxas… Read More
Mark Moore on Life, Legacy and Core 52
Posted: July 15, 2019
I was recently able to catch up with Renew Gathering speaker Mark Moore. We talked about life transitions, creating a legacy, personal discipline, and a new book he has written… Read More
What is the Bible (Rob Bell), by Jon Sherwood
Posted: July 9, 2019
“Just let the Bible be whatever it is.”…But just what is the Bible? What is the Bible? This is a vitally important question. Rob Bell is a famous American author,… Read More
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Posted: May 29, 2019
Like many of you, I enjoy a good book. Apart from occasional espionage novels, nearly all of my reading is Christian literature, theology, history, and science. Yet now and again,… Read More
Gospel Alliance (book recommendation)
Posted: May 11, 2019
From the book: “I want to show that the gospel and our faith response must not be reduced to the cross, or even to the cross and resurrection. The gospel… Read More
Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter Williams (book review)
Posted: November 15, 2018
Peter Williams is one impressive person. He isn’t just Principal of Tyndale House, Cambridge and Editor of theTyndale Bulletin. He is also Chair of the International Greek New Testament Project and… Read More
Want to Share the Gospel Effectively? Always Ask About the Tattoo, by John Teter
Posted: July 20, 2018
The simplest questions can open the door to amazing conversations. I asked Mike about his tattoo partly out of curiosity but primarily from an instinct of self-preservation. He was helping his… Read More
Recommended: Preaching Sticky Sermons
Posted: July 13, 2018
Preaching Sticky Sermons, by Brandon Kelley and Joe Hoagland (Rainer Publishing, 2016), is an excellent book. The authors are graduates of Cincinnati Christian University (an institution affiliated with the Christian… Read More
Mary Magdalene (the movie)
Posted: July 13, 2018
A Review (anonymous) of Mary Magdalene (2018) How Mary is portrayed Mary is shown as a fisherman—she is not portrayed as a prostitute (in the end of the movie they explain… Read More
Review of Paul: Apostle of Christ
Posted: June 27, 2018
A friend recently suggested I watch the film Paul: Apostle of Christ. I am glad I did. Here is my take, for what it’s worth. General Acting: superb. Not sappy, as with some… Read More
Black Panther
Posted: June 13, 2018
In April someone asked me if I’d seen Black Panther. I had heard of it, but admitted I wasn’t particularly interested in yet another superhero movie. “I’ll probably watch it once it… Read More
“I Am an Arab and I Am a Christian: An Autobiography”
Posted: March 6, 2018
Former Muslim shows Islam from the inside. by David Duncan Many well-written books on Islam have appeared in the years since 9/11. So have many not-so-great books, written from a… Read More
Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage, by Jerry Jones (review by Bob Young)
Posted: November 24, 2017
Jones discusses divorce and remarriage with objectivity By Bob Young In Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage: Seen Through the Character of God and the Mind of Jesus, Jerry Jones — a longtime… Read More
White Privilege: The Ability To Walk Away, by Jon Sherwood
Posted: November 23, 2017
November 22, 2017 In Daniel Hill’s new book released this year, White Awake: An honest look at what it means to be white , he explores and shares about his own “awakening” and… Read More
Review of Terry Whalin’s Billy Graham: A Biography of America’s Greatest Evangelist
Posted: November 4, 2017
When I was a teenager, I remember how my heart was moved by Billy Graham’s Peace with God. The simple way in which Graham is able to express profound truths has enabled him to connect with… Read More
“Forged: Writing in the Name of God” – Book Review
Posted: June 27, 2017
Bart D. Ehrman, Forged: Writing in the Name of God—Why The Bible’s Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are (San Francisco: HarperOne, 2011), 307 pages. The review is by… Read More
Our Mother Who Art In Heaven?
Posted: March 4, 2017
With the recent launch of The Shack movie, we are reminded of a whole mix of theological questions raised by the novel, and the problems of projecting the divine onto… Read More
Book Launch: When God Says “Wait” (Elizabeth Thompson)
Posted: March 2, 2017
My friend Elizabeth Laing Thompson has just released a new book, When God Says “Wait”: Navigating Life’s Detours and Delays Without Losing Your Faith, Your Friends, or Your Mind. We… Read More
Aliens & Strangers, by Brett Kreider
Posted: March 1, 2017
Part of my ministry as a teacher is to put excellent biblical material into the hands of Bible students — including those who teach. So I’m proud to recommend by friend… Read More
A Review of Reza Aslan’s ZEALOT
Posted: September 27, 2016
To hear my review of Reza Aslan’s Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth (2013), click on the arrow. The review is 58 minutes in length. Listen, or just read… Read More
Risen (Joseph Fiennes)
Posted: August 23, 2016
For a podcast (42 mins) on the 2016 film Risen, click on the arrow below. Great lines: “The gods are angry” [Lucius]. — “One of them is [Clavius].” “Did he… Read More
Thriving Beyond the Margins — A Resource That Every Christian NEEDS
Posted: January 26, 2016
Help for Christians who are helping their gay friends. A resource that every Christian needs in their library! Are you studying the Bible with someone who is gay? Where should… Read More
Recommended Book: “Revolution in World Missions”
Posted: October 26, 2015
“Revolution in World Missions: One Man’s Journey to Change a Generation” by K. P. Yohanan “Lord, I’ll give myself to speak for You.” Young Yohannan had no idea what those… Read More
Pride & Prejudice
Posted: February 10, 2015
To listen to a biblical exploration of Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, click on the link. I hope you’ll enjoy my short podcast (14 minutes). Note: If you haven’t read… Read More
Noah (the movie)
Posted: July 23, 2014
For a response to Darren Aronofsky’s 2014 film Noah, listen to the following podcast (14 minutes). Click here to download.
Divergent
Posted: July 10, 2014
For some thoughts about Veronica Roth’s Divergent (2011; film version 2014), please listen to my podcast (17 minutes). Click here to download. Christian should be engaging culture Divergent is the… Read More
The Matrix Podcast (Joey Harris)
Posted: September 5, 2013
To listen to Joey Harris’ The Matrix Podcast ( minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More
The Life of Pi
Posted: April 4, 2013
Here is my review of the book and movie The Life of Pi (11 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save… Read More
Q&A 1295 – What do you think of Velvet Elvis (by Rob Bell)?
Posted: July 8, 2012
A review of Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) Rob Bell (b.1970), preacher at Mars Hill Bible Church, has become a highly influential speaker and writer… Read More
The Hunger Games (Collins)
Posted: April 7, 2012
Here are a podcast and notes on The Hunger Games (15 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More
Yeshua: Critique of Ron Moseley’s book & position
Posted: February 24, 2012
This lesson is a critique of Ron Moseley’s Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church (40 minutes). Introduction To download the podcast, right click on “download”… Read More
“The Doctrine of Non-Accumulation” (Hertzler)
Posted: February 2, 2012
To hear a review of Roger Hertzler’s book on The doctrine of non-accumulation (30 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select… Read More
The Alchemist
Posted: August 27, 2011
Here are a podcast and notes on The Alchemist (10 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you… Read More
Heaven is for Real (Or Is it?)
Posted: August 15, 2011
Listen to Heaven is for Real–Or Is It? (18 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can… Read More
Harry Potter
Posted: July 21, 2011
To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can download the podcast and listen to it later. Download Podcast… Read More
Q&A 1159 — Review of Tolle’s A New Earth
Posted: May 14, 2011
As a Christian sister, I am very interested in Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. What is your opinion about this book? I was just wondering. Tolle’s popular A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose has… Read More
Q&A 1130—Follow the Rabbi?
Posted: March 17, 2011
What do you think about Ray vander Laan’s teachings (“Follow the Rabbi”)? I am sure that Rabbinic Judaism has something to tell us about Jesus’ ministry. But to be honest,… Read More
Q&A 1101 – The Golden Compass
Posted: January 18, 2011
I wanted to ask for your opinion on the relevant “warning” on the new movie out called The Golden Compass. I personally have not seen it, but am planning to view… Read More
The Secret
Posted: October 20, 2010
If you’re interested in my thoughts on The Secret (11 minutes), listen to the podcast. To listen now, click on arrow above. To download the podcast, right click on “download”… Read More
The Shack
Posted: June 26, 2010
Listen to my review of Wm. Paul Young’s The Shack (10 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More
The Book of Eli – Review by Joey Harris
Posted: April 3, 2010
The Book of Eli – Review by Joey Harris (20 minutes), click on the play button below: Click here for the notes to this podcast. To download the podcast, right click on… Read More
Avatar: My response to the film
Posted: February 11, 2010
Here are a podcast and notes on Avatar (12 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can… Read More
