March 2026
Podcasts
In previous editions of The Hive, I have featured two podcast episodes from the superb series called “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.” With Good Friday approaching, let me highlight a third (Season 1: Episode 12) that explores how the cross, an instrument of shameful execution, remarkably became a symbol of virtue and triumph because of Jesus, and how it has transformed the world (including its impact on the abolition of slavery).
In light of our upcoming Easter celebration, consider listening to the thoughtful podcast from biblical scholar N. T. Wright on the historical foundations and theological meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
Articles
Last November I was invited to speak to Cru students on Ball State’s campus on the topic of discerning God’s will. My address focused mainly on biblical decision making and I’ve expanded that talk into an article that you can access on New Life’s website.
“Being S.M.A.R.T. - A Biblical Approach to Decision Making”
The September 2025 edition of The Hive included an article written by Jennifer Blalock called “Getting Old Isn’t a Disease.” For this edition, I’m including another one of her essays called “Ansel, the Whistling Witness” about the impact that a heart changed by Jesus can have on others.
“Ansel: The Whistling Witness”
6W Chronicles: Brief Profiles in Church History
As a way to introduce readers to some influential figures in the church’s past, the 6W Chronicles briefly address six questions: Who? When? Where? What did they do? Why should we know about them? What works can I reference by or about them?
Who? John Chrysostom
When? c. 349–407
Where? John was born in Antioch and served as a priest there until being taken (by force!) to serve as the bishop of Constantinople in AD398, a position he held until 404.
What did he do? After being trained in rhetoric by Libanius, one of the leading pagan teachers of the day, John pursued a life of solitary monasticism and rigid asceticism. After about a decade, he returned to community life and was ordained to the priesthood. Due in part to his early training, John was a gifted and exceptional preacher. When the patriarch of Constantinople died in 397, John was taken by military force to replace him, and he accepted it as God’s providence. Once there, he denounced the extravagances of the ruling class as well as the vices within the church while seeking to care for the poor and build hospitals for the sick. His direct manner got him into trouble with the empress, Eudoxia. She, along with Theophilus, a rival bishop from Alexandria, conspired to have him deposed and removed. On June 20, 404, he was removed from Constantinople as he had arrived – by military force – and exiled. Even while experiencing much suffering due to sickness and poor conditions in exile, he confessed in a letter that “sin is the only thing which is really distressing.” He died an outcast three years later in AD407.
Why should we know about him? John Chrysostom is one of the most influential and beloved of the church fathers among Eastern Orthodox Christians. The name “Chrysostom” was ascribed to him about 150 years after his death because of his eloquence in preaching. It means “golden mouth.” Many of his sermons and written commentaries survive to this day.
Works? If you want to read primary sources of John’s works, six volumes (!) of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers collection contain his writings. Consider reading one of his sermons or commentaries, or his ministry treatise called On the Priesthood. The most complete biography about John is the two-volume set by F. Chrysostomos Baur called John Chrysostom and His Time published in 1960. A shorter and more recent (1998) single volume biography is available from J. N. D. Kelly called Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom – Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop.
Theolingo: Building Your Theological Vocabulary
Theolingo aims to help you expand your learning of important theological terms. This month’s term is propitiation.
Propitiation means to appease the anger of another. Biblically, it refers to Jesus’ self-sacrifice that turns the Father’s just wrath from away transgressors on account of their sinful rebellion against him (see Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). That God is wrathful toward evil is clearly taught throughout Scripture (see 2 Kings 23:26; Psalm 78:21; Isaiah 13:13; 63:6; Jeremiah 44:6; John 3:36; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6; Revelation 14:19). God’s wrath is not to be understood as some sort of tantrum. Rather, as an expression of his perfect justice, it is his settled opposition to all wickedness as a holy Creator and righteous Judge. Thankfully, his wrath has been turned away from believers by Jesus offering himself as a propitiation (Greek hilosmos, hilosterion). It is important to understand that the propitiating sacrifice of Jesus does not make the Father loving toward us – Jesus was sent as an expression of the Father’s love. What propitiation does is satisfy the Father’s justice in condemning our sin so that he can be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (see Romans 3:26). It’s certainly true that the atoning work of Jesus accomplishes more than propitiation, but not less. In light of Jesus’ propitiating blood, we can rest in the assurance that God is not angry with us (see 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9) but loves us and delights in us as he does the divine Son (see John 17:23).
Quotes
John Chrysostom’s direct and uncompromising delivery of the truth can be detected in this quote:
“No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, read the well-known prayer attributed to him:
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man that thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Final Thought
The razor blade is sharp but can't cut the tree. The axe is strong but can't cut the hair. Everyone is important according to their own unique purpose. Never look down on anyone unless you’re admiring their shoes. See 1 Corinthians 12:14-21.
