Card Talk
Ben Christian
The Angel of Death (Hezekiah 3:18): A ...

It’s now time to address that scythe wielding, six winged, cherub whose coming heralds fear in the heart of humanity [read that reference again] . . .

The Angel of Death (Hezekiah 3:18): A Misunderstood and Theologically Vital Non-Entity
Card Talk
Ben Christian
Peter's need for Ritalin (Mark 9:5-6) OR What ...

"Peter didn't know what the Hell he was talking about. He had no idea what the mountain-top experience really represented...Moses & Elijah represented encouragement and a reminder to be attentive to faithfulness, because dark days are coming..."

Peter's need for Ritalin (Mark 9:5-6) OR What we can learn from The Transfiguration and Other Mountain-Top Experiences
Creed Card Talk
Ben Christian
“Although Surprising to Most, the Kingdom of ...

 . . . one year we’ll defend our belief in an incarnation timed for Sukkoth as there is no way Jesus was born in December, and we’ll write the Card Talk about how the wise men did not show up until He was three years old. Eventually we’ll even address the fact that the little drummer boy was actually a drunk Roman solider looking for his estranged wife (okay, we just made that last one up) . . .

“Although Surprising to Most, the Kingdom of Heaven is really like___________”
Other, Card Talk
Ben Christian
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) [An ...

Sadly, this Advent Card Talk is applicable every year...

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:14) [An Advent Card Talk]
Card Talk
Ben Christian
Jesus looking for a fight (Mark 11:11) -The Two ...

In discussing how fast "faith can move mountains," Matthew cuts Mark's three-day story in half. He speeds up the pace, chronologically and theologically. 

Jesus looking for a fight (Mark 11:11) -The Two Palm Sundays

Don't be a dick

Altar Sex (Amos 2:8) [A Guest Card Talk]

Altar Sex (Amos 2:8) [A Guest Card Talk]

“The closest I ever came to having sex was right after prayer.” For many young adults, this observation would serve as a catalyst for a more active prayer life, but for us pious young men at a Christian college, this advice from a graduating senior served as a warning. Intimacy is risky and dangerous and, if you’re not careful, you’ll end up in the wrong holy of holies.

The writing on the wall (Daniel 5:27)

Perhaps you should take stock of your complicity in the oppression of others, despite your many reasons for saying you’re not a racist - sexist -homophobe - transphobe - ageist - ableist - elitist - [insert other assholery] because of [insert the ‘close personal friend/relative’ (who really isn’t)].

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"For Lent I Am Giving Up_______________." [A Card Talk for Lent]

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"For Lent I Am Giving Up_______________." [A Card Talk for Lent]

We take up or give up, lift or put down, for specific purposes, but whichever we choose, the important thing is remembering that Lent is not about self-improvement—it is not New Year’s take two, a time to re-up on failed resolutions . . .

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“Deporting all the immigrants and banning Muslims” (Leviticus 19:33-34) OR Why We're Done with Fake News Christians

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“Deporting all the immigrants and banning Muslims” (Leviticus 19:33-34) OR Why We're Done with Fake News Christians

To be clear: you are the absolute worst, and there will be a reckoning, before God, one day. Hope you’re wearing clean underwear.

Jonathan's David-love. (2 Samuel 1:26)

Jonathan's David-love. (2 Samuel 1:26)

Disclaimer: This Card Talk delves into the relationship between Jonathan, son of Saul, and his friend, brother-in-law, and possible lover, David. This is a long one, and this time we might actually piss off everyone. That’s not our intent, but we’ll see what happens.

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Trampling the Heads of the Poor into the Dust & Denying Justice to the Oppressed (Amos 2:7a) [A Card Talk on the Book of Amos]

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Trampling the Heads of the Poor into the Dust & Denying Justice to the Oppressed (Amos 2:7a) [A Card Talk on the Book of Amos]

Here we present some historical and textual context to from the book of Amos, and see it's message of social justice still (sadly) applies in the present.  We ask what fire will fall in our lives if the acts of inhumanity to man continue to be perpetrated not just out there, but in here, within the community, within the household of faith?