Featured Articles
Tears and the River of Life
The God of the scriptures does not have a heart of steel; God has a heart of flesh, a bleeding heart, and God has eyes that weep. The love of God opens the heart of God to the world, and binds God to the beloved world and its creatures.
Featured Articles
Drawing 101
While many art classes were designed to enhance creativity, this drawing class mostly helped us learn to draw realistically and accurately. I enjoyed this extended period of drawing, but I also learned something valuable about my faith, for that class has become for me an extended metaphor for doing theology.
Lucky
We live in the tension of God’s sovereignty and terrible things happening. We live in the mystery of God’s unfolding plan for creation’s salvation and
The Changing Nature of Pastoral Roles: A Retirement Reflection
Though I’ve had my share of compliments on my preaching, there was nary a mention at my retirement dinner of any particular sermon. “Being there”
Finding the Heart of COP29
Baku is a city of 2.5 million people, halfway around the world from my home in Michigan. What would my knowledge of tree names in
Present in Every Season
Most days I walk the loop through the cemetery of the First Reformed Church in Pompton Plains, N.J., where my wife Stacey is the Co-Pastor.
Alf’s Story: An Advent Meditation
On a Damascus Road of sorts, seeing beyond the proof text, I’m able to say to myself and anyone who’ll listen, “Yes, really!” Come cancer,
Paul McCartney and Me
Aging and retirement are distinct concepts, of course, but they frequently intersect. For clarity’s sake, let’s agree that aging is a natural biological process that
Latest from the Blog
Daily blog by our regular bloggers & guest contributors.
Well-Watered
I loved science fair projects when I was a kid. Everything about them was appealing.
Burundi Bound
We were able to track down several close relatives of our church members. They were overjoyed to receive recent pictures of their loved ones.
When the Door Slammed Shut
Heraldo’s parents and two-year-old brother had arrived in Nogales, Sonora, a few days earlier, two months after fleeing their village in Venezuela.
Come on Down
Time stood still as the procession, most dressed in their Sunday best, split in all directions at the leading of counselors eager to pray with
Walking Away
If really want to embrace the upside economy of the Kingdom of God, how might I surrender the kind of self-importance that believes I can
Being Prepared
How often has any of us heard someone, bemused, say aloud, “I didn’t know I had it in me.”
Blood Sport
It is illegal, now, but historically, blood sports were very popular. By definition, blood sports include activities that inflict serious injuries, pain, or death as
Reviews
How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told
Harrison Scott Key’s How to Stay Married is a story of trauma, past and present, a marriage gone off the rails with two wounded partners
For Our Daughters
While this film doesn’t trace how segments of the church ended up with a culture of toxic masculinity and prevalent sexual abuse (there are resources
What About Evolution? A Biologist, Pastor, and Theologian Answer Your Questions
Imagine being in a room with a biologist, a pastor, and a theologian, where you can freely ask any questions about evolution, and they each
What About Evolution?
A Biologist, Pastor, and Theologian Answer Your Questions
The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore
As old institutions across America struggle for relevance today, this important book reminds us that there are simple things we can do to help preserve
Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies
Wright and Bird contend that we will not have an adequate account of Christian political witness if we do not keep together the cross and
Defiant Hope, Active Love: What Young Adults Are Seeking in Places of Work, Faith, and Community
This book had gems of prophetic insight, but I was left wanting more.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.
. . . the movie presents Bonhoeffer’s overall witness and life in public theaters across the country to many thousands who may have barely known
Poetry
Jesus, Son of Gop
On the night he was supposed to be betrayed, Jesus strapped on a Glock under his cloak, just in case the breastplate of righteousness didn’t
Blessed
Unnoticed except by their Maker, my wife and me–a dozen sparrows blissful at their ablutions …
Near Death
We drove nails into His wrists, air reeking of animal remains and criminal bodies piled next to the horse trough …
Make a Joyful Noise
meaning click tongue when crossing the street for joy of having legs …
November Cold
Ice crusted sheets over November puddles bespeak more of the future than this cold day …
Podcasts
“Life Beneath” by Matthew Pullar
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma interviews Matthew Pullar about his poem “Life Beneath.” Pullar is a poet
“Jesus Son of Gop” by Sarah M. Wells
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma talks with Sarah M. Wells about her poem “Jesus Son of GOP.” is the
“Near Death” by Zoie Jones
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma talks with Zoie Jones about her poem “Near Death.” Jones lives
“Make A Joyful Noise” by Abigail Carroll
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma talks with Abigail Carroll about her poem “Make A Joyful Noise.”
“November Cold” by Dave Warners
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal, Rose Postma interviews Dave Warners about his poem “November Cold.” Beginning in 1997, Warners
“5th Commandment” by James Ryan Lee
In this episode of the poetry edition of the Reformed Journal Podcast, Rose Postma interviews James Ryan Lee about his poem “5th commandment.” Lee received