Do I Really Need to Love Everybody?

American Politics, Augustine's "ordo amoris," and an overwhelming commandment.

Encouraging the Discouraged | 1 John 2:12–14

This post goes into detail regarding 1 John 2:12–14, considering such questions as "Who is being addressed?"; "What is the purpose of this section in light of the whole letter?"; and "Why are there no women in this passage?"

Why Does Life Hurt So Much?

A fresh assessment of the age-old question: "If God is all good and all powerful, why do bad things happen to good people?"

The Christian’s Key Commandment | 1 John 2:3–11

This post goes into detail regarding the test John offers to gauge the legitimacy of a person's claim to know God.

The Marks of a Christian | 1 John 1:5–2:2

This post goes into detail to describe a Christian’s identifying mark according to 1 John 1:5–2:2.

Living to Love

Republishing an old explanation of the philosophy of this blog. Part 3 of 3.

Living from Love

Republishing an old explanation of the philosophy of this blog. Part 1 of 3.

How’s My Love Compare? | Hearing God

God still speaks to people personally today. Here is how I heard from him at church on February 23, 2025.

What Is the Point? | 1 John 1:1–4

This post goes into detail to discern the direction John wants to direct his readers as they make their way through 1 John. It covers 1 John 1:1–4.

1 John and Church Abandonment: A Personal Journey

This post describes both the personal reasons why an expositional series through 1 John is near and dear to my heart and the commentators who are influencing my perspective and preventing me from focusing this study on my own experiences.