Gospel

Veneer

Living Deeply in a Surface Society

Something is plaguing us as individuals, as a culture, and as the body of Christ. A consumeristic mentality has taken root that, if left unexcavated, threatens the very nature of meaning and purpose and beauty in life. In this short, Locy and Willard sound the alarm on our disease. Like sober doctors or visionary prophets, they diagnose a thick coat of veneer that covers all that we are and everything we do. Their message will provoke us, but we are wise to let it penetrate our thinking and transform our perspective.

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Media

God Help Us

An idealist's rant about our digital culture.


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Arts + Entertainment

Don't Forget to Bleed

How mountain bikes, bruises, and banter can help us understand how to be.


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Social Sector

Redefining Hate

Gay Activists Should Reconsider Rhetoric

Are organizations that oppose same sex marriage, and people who associate with them, hate-mongers? Jonathan Merritt and Tim Willard reveal the irony in public discourse over hate, same-sex marriage and Christians.


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Gospel

End Veneer

We all feel it, sense it and see it. Everything in popular culture - from entertainment to advertisements - pushes us to be something we aren’t. This creates an unspoken tension for followers of Jesus who are called to presence, honesty and authenticity. How can Christians promote depth and character in a society that thrives on hype? Jason Locy and Tim Willard, coauthors of Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society, challenge us to strive for a more meaningful existence.

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Government

Our Forgotten Honor: A Memorial Day Reflection

Can Christians mourn those soldiers who've died in combat defending our freedom without becoming overly nationalistic? Writer Tim Willar says "yes." He reminds us that celebrating on Memorial Day does not imply support for every American initiative. It simply honors the men and women who have given their lives serving their fellow citizens.

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Gospel

That Which is Visible, Must Be Hidden

"How," asks Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "… do the disciples differ from the heathen? What does it really mean to be a Christian?" He answers this with the word perissos—extraordinary. Used in Matthew 5:47, the word calls for the Christian to go beyond what is expected in the culture. It is a term of differentiation, a term for uncommon living.

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Church

Starbucks! Apple! Church!

The church has figured out what the folks at Starbucks, Diesel, Apple and countless other companies have known for a long time. Marketing works! By using the same techniques as other successful companies, the church can draw thousands into its doors each Sunday by doing one basic thing: marketing.

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Church

The Violence of Bees | An Easter Reflection

I ran too fast. So, I decided to make it fun and throw myself down the hill—a perfect head first grass-stain. I slid right by her. She kept running and threw herself on me, “Yeah!” her two-year old lungs bellowed. The mountains sang.

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