Persuade
Rightly Ordered Patriotism
I was blessed with a grandfather who modeled a life that represented an impeccably well-ordered hierarchy of loves. Jasper N. Dorsey (1913–1990), whom we all called “Papa,” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, churchman, patriot, and public servant. He was the most honorable man I have ever known. […]
Liturgy As Discipleship: How God Makes Disciples Through Word and Sacrament
In this essay, I want to make the case that disciple-making belongs exclusively to the church, because disciples are made by God alone through the liturgy—the ministry of word and sacrament in gathered worship. Liturgy is discipleship; discipleship is liturgical. […]
The Framing of a Movement: Defining the New Apostolic Reformation
Imagine a religious movement that has no formal organization, no official leaders, and no confessional statement, yet its churches are among the most influential and fastest growing in the world. Now imagine that some of this movement’s most prominent representatives—perhaps because of its unorthodox beliefs and controversial practices—deny its very existence. How do you identify such a movement? […]
Divine Story
Creativity flows from the fact that we are made in the image of God our Creator. To image him is to be creative, or as Tolkien coined, to subcreate. It is a great gift to us and others to be able to reorganize the ingredients God has given us into something new that is true, good, and beautiful. […]
Heady Thoughts About Your Heart
Life is filled with choices. Some are as mundane as paper or plastic, while others are more serious, like the friend who insists, “You’re either with me or against me.” We are told that we must choose between success or happiness, hard work or a social life, science or art, being an extrovert or an introvert. It’s this or that. […]
