http://www.jesusat2am.com ...one pastor's honest reflections on the Christian life... Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:03:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Thoughtful and engaging discussions of the Bible, church history, theology and the spiritual life, offered with a warm balance of intellectual integrity and down-to-earth personality. What emerges is a rich understanding of Christian faith as it has been understood and practiced across the centuries. Kirk Winslow is Pastor for Adult Education and Spiritual Formation at Irvine Presbyterian Church, adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary, night owl, and overall decent guy. If you were hanging out over cappuccino in to the wee hours, this is what he'd tell you... Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) mail@jesusat2am.com mail@jesusat2am.com (Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow)) Kirk Winslow Further evidence that theology, church history, and biblical studies are cool. theology, church history, spiritual life, spiritual disciplines, introduction to the bible, Christian, bible, new testament, jesus, old testament, biblical studies http://www.jesusat2am.com/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.jesusat2am.com Irvine, CA http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/23/steves_google/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/23/steves_google/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:16:01 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=465 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/23/steves_google/feed/ 0 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/15/life-wins-sermon-easter-2012/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/15/life-wins-sermon-easter-2012/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:13:42 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=449 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/15/life-wins-sermon-easter-2012/feed/ 0 dry bones,Easter,Ezekiel,resurrection One pastor's not-so-creepy look at the God who is in the empty tomb business.  - The short version:  Where there is God, there is life.  And the message not merely of Easter, but of the whole biblical story, One pastor's not-so-creepy look at the God who is in the empty tomb business.  The short version:  Where there is God, there is life.  And the message not merely of Easter, but of the whole biblical story, is that God is everywhere and always about his work.  The empty tomb of Jesus was simply the final proof that the promise of restoration is being fulfilled.  Death may still have its momentary triumphs, but life reigns over eternity. Even if you aren't so much a fan of sermons, this one might be worth a listen... Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 32:42 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/05/church-hist-modern-part-5-darwin-fundamentalism-and-the-challenge-of-new-ideas/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/05/church-hist-modern-part-5-darwin-fundamentalism-and-the-challenge-of-new-ideas/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:08:04 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=396 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/04/05/church-hist-modern-part-5-darwin-fundamentalism-and-the-challenge-of-new-ideas/feed/ 0 biblical criticism,darwin,darwinism,evangelicalism,evolution,freud,higher criticism,james hutton,jesus seminar,nietzsche As we conclude this series in modern church history, we examine the intellectual challenges that confronted the church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Perhaps the most obvious of these was the rapid progress of scientific discovery - things... As we conclude this series in modern church history, we examine the intellectual challenges that confronted the church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.  Perhaps the most obvious of these was the rapid progress of scientific discovery - things like James Hutton's work in geology (radically redefining the age of the universe) and Darwin's theory of evolution.  And indeed these and other ideas provoked a wide variety of responses (perhaps the most famous of which was the "Scope's Monkey Trial" of 1925).  But the greater (at least perceived) threat came from the European higher critics.  It was their questioning of the reliability of scripture with regard to theological matters that rocked the orthodox establishment.   One response to the higher critics was the adoption of five essential tenets of the biblical faith, quickly expounded upon in a series of 90 pamphlets titled The Fundamentals.  Thoughtfully written, they circulated widely and those who shared their views came to be known as Fundamentalists (a term that has since, unfortunately, become a pejorative description of an anti-intellecutal conservatism). These debates, of course, remain alive and well in the church at the turn of the 21st century.  Even now state school boards debate whether creation science must be included in text books.  And groups like The Jesus Seminar continue the project of the higher criticism.   Perhaps by knowing more of our past we will be able to make the most of our contribution to the community of faith and the mission of God in the world...? NOTE:  In the podcast I make reference to a lecture by Prof. Nate Feldmeth of Fuller Theological Seminary.  The .mp3 of the lecture is available here.     Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 1:02:25 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/26/reports-of-everyones-persecution-are-greatly-exaggerated/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/26/reports-of-everyones-persecution-are-greatly-exaggerated/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:47:21 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=362 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/26/reports-of-everyones-persecution-are-greatly-exaggerated/feed/ 0 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/24/church-hist-modern-part-4-the-wesleys-and-american-pietism/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/24/church-hist-modern-part-4-the-wesleys-and-american-pietism/#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2012 06:45:40 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=317 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/24/church-hist-modern-part-4-the-wesleys-and-american-pietism/feed/ 0 American church history,anglican,Charles Wesley,church history 101,church of england,George Whitfield,holy club,introduction to american church history,introduction to church history,John Wesley,methodism,methodist circuit rider It would be nearly impossible to overestimate the impact of John and Charles Wesley on contemporary American Protestantism.  From the hymns we sing, to the small groups we attend, to the empowerment of the laity to teach and preach, It would be nearly impossible to overestimate the impact of John and Charles Wesley on contemporary American Protestantism.  From the hymns we sing, to the small groups we attend, to the empowerment of the laity to teach and preach, to the eventual ordination of women into professional ministry, the Wesleys - and the Methodist tradition which they formed - have profoundly shaped the way Christianity is understood and practiced. In this episode we examine these unlikely leaders - the forces that shaped them and how they came to exert such a dramatic influence on the church.  We'll look at their formative years under the tutelage of their mother, Susanna, their time at Oxford, the formation of "the Holy Club," the impact of the Moravians, and how these experiences led them to create a system - a "method" - that could be easily replicated in nearly any context.  If you've ever attended a lay-led discipleship group or felt the need to cite the exact moment of your "conversion," you have felt the influence of these two brothers.   Also, in the podcast introduction, I make reference to a new movement coming out of the Church of England - a vision of ministry known as Fresh Expressions.  I just attended the first Fresh Expressions conference in N. America and was tremendously impressed!  More on that in future episodes, but if you'd like to know more, click here to visit the official Fresh Expressions website.  And I highly recommend reading the group's report to the Church of England titled Mission-Shaped Church.  It's available in print from your favorite bookstore.  But you can also download a PDF copy for free by clicking here.  (And unlike many reports, this one is actually an enjoyable and encouraging read!)     Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 55:57 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/21/did-jesus-love-or-love-on/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/21/did-jesus-love-or-love-on/#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:16:13 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=313 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/21/did-jesus-love-or-love-on/feed/ 5 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/06/church-hist-modern-part-3-revivalism-and-the-first-great-awakening/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/06/church-hist-modern-part-3-revivalism-and-the-first-great-awakening/#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 01:33:08 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=306 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/03/06/church-hist-modern-part-3-revivalism-and-the-first-great-awakening/feed/ 0 American Christianity,church history 101,George Whitfield,great awakening,introduction to american church history,introduction to church history,introduction to modern church history,massachusetts bay colony,plymouth colony,puritanism,revival,revivalism The religious zeal that marked the first Puritan colonies was destined to wane.  As new generations were born, and new waves of settlers arrived, new priorities and visions of the good life began to take shape. The religious zeal that marked the first Puritan colonies was destined to wane.  As new generations were born, and new waves of settlers arrived, new priorities and visions of the good life began to take shape.  Many professed a Christian faith and had connection to the church, but not with the same rigor as those at who first landed at Plymouth or Massachusetts Bay.  This growing secularization caused great distress for church leaders, and thus the early 18th century saw the first calls for a return to the faith - the call for "revival."  In this episode we examine this particularly American dimension of Protestantism - the revival - and how it shapes our experience even today.   We'll look at famous personalities such as Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfiled, as well as the movement they inspired, known as The First Great Awakening.       Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 40:48 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/27/my-only-comfort-sermon-ash-wednesday-2012/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/27/my-only-comfort-sermon-ash-wednesday-2012/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:53:54 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=300 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/27/my-only-comfort-sermon-ash-wednesday-2012/feed/ 0 23rd psalm,ash wednesday,heidelberg catechism,homily,lent,psalm 23 Why I hate Ash Wednesday, the illegality of death in Irvine, and the comfort of Psalm 23. -   Why I hate Ash Wednesday, the illegality of death in Irvine, and the comfort of Psalm 23.   Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 16:03 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/25/church-hist-modern-part-2-from-europe-to-the-new-world/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/25/church-hist-modern-part-2-from-europe-to-the-new-world/#comments Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:00:39 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=291 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/02/25/church-hist-modern-part-2-from-europe-to-the-new-world/feed/ 0 anglican,baptist,church history 101,church of england,elizabeth,introduction to church history,lutheran,massachusetts bay colony,mayflower,modern church history,plymouth,plymouth colony The Reformation gave birth not to a solitary Protestantism, but to a wide variety of Protestantisms.  (The Reformers came to quick agreement that the Bible - and not the traditions or authorities of the Catholic Church - was the ultimate arbiter of tru... The Reformation gave birth not to a solitary Protestantism, but to a wide variety of Protestantisms.  (The Reformers came to quick agreement that the Bible - and not the traditions or authorities of the Catholic Church - was the ultimate arbiter of truth.  What they could not agree upon was what the Bible intended to communicate.) In this episode we examine the early Protestant denominations (Lutheranism, Anglicanism, the Reformed and Anabaptist traditions...) and how each was shaped by a particular theological interpretation.  We then go on to look with detail at English Puritanism and the conflicts within British Christianity that would eventually lead some across the Atlantic to new colonies in North America.  We'll look not only at the Pilgrims of Plymouth, but also the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the subsequent formation of other religious communities along the Atlantic seaboard. As we explore, we'll see just how profound an impact these early settlers - and the theologies from which they were born - continue to have on American Christianity today.   Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 48:13 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/ http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:26:11 +0000 Kirk Winslow http://www.jesusat2am.com/?p=278 http://www.jesusat2am.com/2012/01/29/church-hist-modern-part-1-from-protest-to-ism/feed/ 0 When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses outside the door of the campus church in Wittenberg, he had no intention of dividing the Catholic Church.  But within a decade of that event, such acts of protest had gained irreversible momentum, When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses outside the door of the campus church in Wittenberg, he had no intention of dividing the Catholic Church.  But within a decade of that event, such acts of protest had gained irreversible momentum, and  "Protestantism" was officially born. Throughout the 16th century new church governments were formed, new theologies written along with new liturgies to accompany them.  Church and state battled - often violently - for power as the religious freedom gave rise to calls for political freedom as well. In this first of 5 lectures on the modern church, we explore the world of the 16th century and the formation of new denominations formed in reaction to the perceived corruptions of Roman Catholicism.     Jesus at 2AM (aka Kirk Winslow) no 46:07