Yearly Archives: 2025

A New Focus for My Essays: Letters from Exile

July 27th, 2025 |

Hello friends! It has been months since I have posted. This pause was deliberate. I wanted to let some time go by and see the consequences of the 2024 elections (It is plural because Americans elected thousands of public servants, not just a President) in the USA and some of the international leadership decisions in various places of conflict and change.

During this time, I have been busy editing and writing books, speaking and advising at several churches, and teaching my seminary students. I am very encouraged by the efforts of many, seeing communities flourish spiritually and socially, and my students from around the world are always an inspiration.

I am a co-author with Assemblies of God USA General Superintendent Doug Clay of a new book available in August 2025 entitled, 13: Leadership is More than Luck. We find life and leadership wisdom from each of the 13 General Superintendents that have led our Fellowship since 1914. We explore the historical and spiritual context of their time in office and find timeless wisdom from their ministries. This is not a sanitized hagiography that avoids the challenges of the day. These are real and remarkable leaders that can help us be more effective in our service to the Lord. Please take a look!

Starting with this essay, I will begin a long-running series I am calling, Letters from Exile. I am choosing this theme so that I can encourage discernment and thoughtfulness among my readers. Christians are always dual citizens of the kingdom of God and their particular location. Christianity, while influential in Americana and Western history, is a global faith that originated at the crossroads of the continents and now extends to all nations. I do appreciate the USA and the aspirational principles of our founders and framers. At the same time, no empire or nation will be perfect until the Day of the Lord.

In 1976, during the Bicentennial celebrations, I declared myself an exile. I could not agree with some of the conservative voices declaring the United States a chosen nation favored by God. I also vehemently dissented from voices on the Left that made America the moral equivalent of Stalin’s Soviet Union or Mao Zedong’s China. Reading the Bible carefully, I discovered that God’s people – from the Jews in exile in Babylon in the 6th century BC to all Christians across time and place – are called to flourish in in the places they are living, bringing spiritual and social good (Jeremiah 29; Philippians 2:12-16).

I do think the USA has been a force for good in history, as well as falling short of her ideals again and again. Our First Amendment, part of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution, is unprecedented in history for the freedoms it espouses, especially the first sentence declaring complete freedom of conscience and religion. American ideals in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers were subverted by our nation’s original sin: permitting the chattel slavery of African Americans. We did fight a Civil War to end slavery de jure (by law); however, it took another century to end unequal rights for Black Americans both de jure and de facto (the Civil Rights and Voting Rights laws of 1964 and 1965). We are still in need of greater reconciliation and redemption that ends racial tensions and opens doors for all to flourish.

Throughout our history we have been both hospitable and hostile to immigrants. While Ellis Island welcomed millions from the 1870s to 1914, Chinese Exclusion Acts were closing doors on immigration and severely restricting freedom for those in the USA. In the 1920s to 1940s, the USA closed its doors to Jews fleeing the antisemitism of Nazi Germany and other nations. We also opened the doors again after World War Two and supported the birth of the modern nation of Israel in the shadow of the Shoah.

Our nation, like each person we meet, is both beautiful and broken, with signs of grace and personal and systemic sins. In forthcoming essays, we will explore how to think deeply and act decisively in an age of outrage and reaction, ideological entrapment and social media anarchy.

I look forward to sharing ideas that may help us all become more thoughtful. We can be kind without compromise, tolerant without losing clarity, and hopeful in the midst of the helplessness so many feel. Thank you for your prayers, responses, and the seen and unseen good each of you bring to our world each day.

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EASTER SUNDAY

April 20th, 2025 |

Key Scriptures: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21; Acts 1:1-11; I Corinthians 15

Every Easter, around the world, billions of believers declare to each other, “He is Risen!” and respond with, “He is Risen, indeed!”

“Every Sunday is Easter when believers realize they live in the Spirit and begin to experience new life today, even while waiting for the Return of the Lord.” (Gordon Fee). Here we see victory over every opposing power, especially death and the fear of death (Hebrews 2:9-18). In our Risen Lord, we see a preview of our future – real, transformed bodies and spirits ready to worship and work under the reign of Christ (Romans 8:28-39; Colossians 1:15-22). Easter is not a psychological projection of wishful thinking (the disciples were astonished), or some kind of spiritual apparition (Jesus invited Thomas to touch him and served breakfast at the seashore).

The Gospels all record the astonishment of the women at the tomb as they discover Jesus is alive. All the Gospels detail the awe of the disciples as they see the Lord and begin to realize (again) that God’s kingdom is present in ways they did not expect (Acts 1). The political and religious opponents spread rumors that the disciples stole the body…and these rumors persist into the 21st century. Eventually, as many as 500 will witness the Risen Lord (I Corinthians 15:1-11).

There is no historical event more studied and more attacked than the Resurrection. If it can be undermined and found false, the entire Christian message has no meaning and power (I Corinthians 15). Why should anyone suffer if Jesus is just a good Rabbi and martyr? If it is true, we see in the Risen Jesus a preview of the future of every believer and validation that death does not have the final word!

Jesus appears to his followers, instructing them about the kingdom, commissioning them to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:19-21; Acts 1:8), and reassuring them that he will be present with them through the Person of the Holy Spirit (John 14-16; Luke 24:44-47; Acts 1:8; 2:4).

No matter what our trials, we have a hope that is rooted in history and we have victory over sin and sorrow through the Holy Spirit. We can expect a life of resurrection power and suffering (Philippians 3:7-16), a life filled with the miraculous and with punctuated by real challenges.

The certainty of the Resurrection is what caused this small group of Jesus followers to become millions of Christians. The Resurrection proclaims that God is working now to restore all things and invites all believers to join is this mission of reconciliation and repair (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2). Will we joyfully receive the work of the Holy Spirit in our life and begin to live the future now, sharing our faith, doing good, and honoring God in all we do?

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Holy Saturday

April 19th, 2025 |

Key Scriptures: Matthew 27:62-66; Luke 23:56

This Sabbath Day is a hush, a pause to catch our breath…and a critical moment of verifying that Jesus was not, “only mostly dead.” Jesus died on Good Friday and was hastily wrapped and placed in a borrowed tomb before the sundown on Friday. Political and religious leaders sealed the tomb and posted a guard, lest the body be stolen.

Why does this day matter? Theologically, we know that Jesus’ work for our salvation was completed on the Cross (“It is finished”). In one sense, the Resurrection could have happened a millisecond after Jesus’ death. But in the plan of God, it was vital that Jesus’ death and sealed tomb be certified by witnesses so that the full power of his eventual triumph over death can be seen in all its glory.

It is important that we not add to God’s Word about our salvation. Some well-meaning Christians believe that after Jesus died, there was some kind of spiritual battle in Hades and Satan had to be defeated and “the keys” snatched from his hand. These speculations arose in the early Medieval times with an addition to the Apostles’ Creed that says, “he descended into hell [hades, the place of the dead].” This is not in the New Testament or any other creed. Ephesians 4:1-11 reminds us the Lord who triumphed over the grave is the same one who descended all the way…in his incarnation in Mary’s womb (see Psalm 139 for the meaning of “depths of the earth”). In I Peter 3, Jesus did not go and preach to the dead – rather, Peter is illustrating how Noah’s pleas with evil people anticipated the gospel.

When Jesus died on Good Friday, his spirit was immediately in Paradise and his body was physically in the tomb. The same is true when a believer dies today. She or he is in God’s presence, while awaiting the final resurrection when Jesus returns in glory (2 Corinthians 5; I Thessalonians 4-5).

As we reflect on this moment of waiting, we are challenged to trust the Lord for his timing in our lives. We are called to cease from our own efforts and enter his rest of faith (Hebrews 2-4). In our busy world, waiting is a particularly challenging discipline.

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Good Friday

April 18th, 2025 |

Key Scriptures: Matthew 27:1-61; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 18:28-19:42

Why is this moment of horrific, undeserved suffering called, “Good Friday” by all Christians? Because even though our Lord is condemned to a Cross, with a weak Roman leader capitulating to the paid-for-mob and jealous religious leaders, our salvation is secured though this deep suffering. Our Lord bears all of humankind’s sins and sorrows, sufferings and sicknesses, unspeakable evils, and unanswered questions as he atones for humankind. “It is finished” indeed! At the very moment darkness appears to win, forgiveness and reconciliation are secured (See Romans 3:21-5:21).

Our Lord’s final mistrial is before Pilate – a poor leader who would prefer to beat Jesus and release him rather that have a martyr on his hands. Pilate knows Jesus is innocent of any capital crime. Pilate is perplexed by this humble Rabbi claiming divine authority, but not questioning Pilate’s civil leadership. Alas, corruption and fear win the day. Pilate refuses to listen to his wife’s concerns arising from her dream. Pilate hands over Jesus to a squad of soldiers for crucifixion.

In addition to an unmerciful beating and the taunts of the soldiers, Jesus must carry the cross beam to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, where criminals die a lingering death. Jesus is so physically weak that Simon of Cyrene (located in North Africa) is plucked from the crowd to carry the beam, leaving his two sons among the watchers. Though weak, Jesus finds time to comfort weeping women on his bloodstained pathway.

Jesus is on the Cross from 9 AM to 3 PM, with the final three hours full of unspeakable suffering. For the first time in all eternity, fellowship with the Father is broken (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) as Jesus bears our sins. He is suffering between two criminals. One curses; the other humbly pleas for mercy. Jesus promises the humble thief that they will enjoy God’s presence together in just a few hours, “Today, you will be with me in Paradise.” While on the Cross, Jesus forgives his tormentors, makes provision for his mother, refuses drugged wine, accepts a drink of water, and, at the very end, declares, “It is finished!” and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

As Jesus utters his final words, the veil into the Holy of Holies is torn in the Temple, symbolizing access for all who believe and a New Covenant. “It is finished!” means all sins are covered, for in this one sacrifice, God’s love and justice are fulfilled and all who believe are forgiven and granted favor (Roman 5:1-11; Hebrews 7-10).

Jesus is hastily buried in a borrowed tomb as the Sabbath approaches. The tomb is sealed and guarded and Jesus’ followers scatter, wondering what the future may hold.

What does the Lord ask of us as we consider all this? He calls us to believe, turn from our selfishness and sins, and humbly say thank you with obedience to his commands – summed up in the command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 4:1-6). Just as Jesus submitted to a pathway of service for us, will we reframe our lives for God’s glory and the good of others?

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Maundy Thursday

April 17th, 2025 |

Key Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-75; Mark 14:22-72; Luke 22:14-71; John 17:1-18:27

We are now in the central act of this divine drama of salvation. Notice the extensive details in all the Gospels. Floyd McClung, summarizing our Lord’s Passion, declared, “The Lord used a criminal act of evil persons against an innocent man and turned this into the foundation of their forgiveness.”

This is the moment of Jesus’ agonizing prayer and personal decision to take up the Cross. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we have a window into Jesus’ human feelings. Jesus knew it was God’s plan, yet the suffering (and horrible separation) of the Cross caused him to cry out to the Father, and, after his cry, to submit to God’s plan for our salvation. We were the “joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:1-3) that propelled this decisive act of love. As he is crying out, John 17 lets us know that he is interceding for both his immediate disciples and for all believers. Jesus prays that we would be holy, united, and walk in love, just as God is holy, One, and love.

We also see Peter denying Jesus and then repenting of his cowardice. In Luke 22:31-34 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial – and eventual restoration! This is why the Mark 16:7 tells the astonished women, “Go tell the disciples and Peter…” that Jesus is alive. This is why Jesus asks Peter three times in John 21, “Do you love me?” With each affirmation of Peter, Jesus restores and commissions. What a wonderful Lord who restores us when we cry out to him.

Jesus is arrested and his (mis)trials begin. First, he appears before the religious leaders and remains mostly silent as they accuse him of blasphemy. He affirms that he is the Messiah and King. The religious leaders were threatened by Jesus’s words and works. Their delicate political situation with the Roman Empire would be threatened if the people rallied around Jesus as King. As evening turns to morning, the final trials come.

As we ponder the pathway of our Lord, will we choose divine love over human power, offering our lives for God’s glory and the good of others? Today is a good day to bring all past mistakes and regrets that still haunt our memories and realize that we serve a God of restoration. Though not all consequences are always removed, we can live with a clean conscience and hope for the future because Jesus is praying for us.

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