When to Quit a Bible Reading Plan
I’ve talked about bible reading plan options, why bible study matters, how to create a bible study spot in your home – but what about when to QUIT a bible plan that isn’t serving you? Did you know that was even an option? Because it is! Believe it or not, bible reading plans that worked in one season might not work in another. Even plans we’ve loved in the past can stop being enjoyable or effective in the present. Here are three reasons to quit a Bible reading plan and what to do instead.
Where the Gospel Meets Anxiety
During the first season of Verity podcast I shared podcast versions of each chapter in my book Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul Deep Strength in a Skin Deep World. Two thirds of this book is “applied theology”: how the gospel directly impacts our struggles with sex, legalism, shame, and – in this episode particularly – anxiety.
![Salvation By Allegiance Alone [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-from-iOS-1-1-scaled-e1630689936743-400x250.jpg)
Salvation By Allegiance Alone [Book Review]
Salvation by Allegiance Alone probably makes a few people a bit wiggly when they see the title because we’re used to the Five Solas (grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, etc.) and none of those Solas mention the word “allegiance”. But actually… one does. Sola Fide, or “faith alone”, links us to Matthew Bates’ topic. He argues that how we define “faith” results in either an authentic Christian life or one riddled by uncertainty and lack of fruit. If “faith” is just a vague mental assent (“I asked Jesus into my heart” or “I believe in Jesus”), nominal “Christians” should not surprise us. But what if faith – as Jesus and Paul and Peter describe it – isn’t just “belief”? What if it’s more than that?
How to Create a Biblical Family Culture
In between posts about theology, critical thinking and my latest book review, I talk a lot about creating a family culture that is biblical, joyful, and fulfilling. If you’ve never heard the term “family culture”, you’re not alone – I pretty much made it up. Ha! But it’s not a new concept with me (Jefferson Bethke has been talking about similar things for a while!) and it’s one that will serve families well if they take it to heart.
Four Views of Baptism
There are few topics that divide Christians with such ferocity as baptism. This sacrament – necessary to the Christian faith – is modeled in Scripture by Jesus as well as His disciples in the early church. But when it comes to how we practice baptism, Christians are divided. Some churches practice infant baptism (paedobaptism) while others practice believer’s baptism (credo-baptism). Some believe you are saved through baptism, others believe it is a symbol of salvation, and others think it is somewhere between.
In the Dust At Last: Grief, Hope, and a Redeemer Who Lives
Christian grief does not require pretending everything’s okay. It does not mean we cease to feel or to hurt or wonder if the void will never again be filled. It does not mean we’ll be healed, but it does mean that we face all the pain and loss with the presence of a loving and faithful God.
![Don’t Miss Out [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-from-iOS-scaled-e1630686894496-400x250.jpg)
Don’t Miss Out [Book Review]
I love a good book on the Holy Spirit.
He is, as Francis Chan put it, “Forgotten God” – often overlooked and misinterpreted, either ignored in our churches or emphasized beyond what Scripture says. That’s why so many Christians struggle either to embrace the Spirit’s role or to understand Him outside of sensationalism. When Jeannie Cunnion released this book, I was thrilled to provide a resource for my community.
A Letter to the Grieving Christian
Dear Grieving Christian,
You think you have time to prepare. Sometimes you do. But all the preparation in the world can’t stop the way it overwhelms you. When that photo falls out from the album, or the world stops at the party where they should have been, the hollow carved by their absence cannot be ignored.
A Guide to Watching The Chosen
Since The Chosen – a TV series about the life of Jesus and His disciples – launched in 2020, I’ve received a plethora of questions about watching the show, what I think of it, how to interact with it, etc. Per the usual, I don’t plan to tell you what to think; I would rather teach you how to think through the show and get the most out of it. This led me to write a quick post outlining some tips for engaging with the show and including your kids or friends in the discussion of it.
The Trinity: Modalism, ESS & Essential Doctrine
This episode is an overview of the nature of the Trinity and why God as triune is a fundamental Christian doctrine! We look at the fights within the early church to defend Christ’s deity (including Athanasius’ On the Incarnation) and how these fights were finalized in the Apostles and Nicene creeds. We then look at teachings like modalism, oneness and eternal subordination of the Son.
![Should Christians Tithe? [Two Views]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/visual-stories-micheile-ZVprbBmT8QA-unsplash-400x250.jpg)
Should Christians Tithe? [Two Views]
We pass the basket for “tithes and offerings” without blinking, but have you ever stopped to think about those words? Tithes and offerings. It’s an indication there is a difference between a tithe and simple giving! And there is. A “tithe” means a “tenth”, and it’s a principle we see in Scripture primarily in the Old Testament.
![Growing Slow [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-9865-400x250.jpg)
Growing Slow [Book Review]
Growing Slow came out earlier this year just as Farmer Bob, our neighbor, was planting his corn. As I write this, the corn was indeed growing slow – and now it’s ten feet tall, swaying in the field behind our house. As I read the book (both personally and in a mom’s study I hosted) I felt as if I had an actual visual of the principles in Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book: principles of cultivating, planting, harvesting, and rest.
What Chronic Illness Taught Me About Rest
I did not know I was ill until my first daughter was born. A few days after her birth, my body broke out in a blistering rash. From the soles of my feet to chest, neck and hands, I was covered in hives and blisters. I laid on the couch in our duplex living room – it was 80 degrees in Lancaster County that September, and we had no air conditioning – soaking in sweat and too blistered to move. I struggled to care for my baby and deal with the itching. Desperate to distract myself, I took her for walks every day – not realizing that so much walking postpartum was unwise and unhealthy for a postpartum body.
How and Why to Practice Fasting
Have you ever fasted? Maybe you’ve thought about fasting but weren’t sure where or how to start. Maybe you thought only “hyper spiritual” people fasted. But in Scripture, we see tangible examples of people fasting in all stages of life! Even Jesus – who had all the strength He needed for every task – fasted as an example for His disciples, and His statements about fasting were “when” not “if”!
![Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy and Contentment [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-9703-400x250.jpg)
Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy and Contentment [Book Review]
This book is physically beautiful. It’s like a coffee table book, or your nicest cookbook, pretty enough to leave out and pick up periodically to read the short chapters. It’s filled with beautiful photos, which actually made the reading experience even better and also fit with the content of the book.
If you’re looking for a book that is calming but encouraging, gentle but convicting, educational and beautiful, you’ll enjoy Satisfied: Finding Hope, Joy and Contentment Right Where You Are.
There is Always Enough Time
I haven’t always lived this way, and I can’t honestly say I always live this way now. Daily I choose between the pressure of my ever-expanding lists and the quietness of the moment in front of me. I fully recognize I am one of many voices (most much more eloquent than I) talking about a slower, sweeter, Sabbath-based life. Indulge me being one more.
![Delighting in the Trinity [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-9495-400x250.jpg)
Delighting in the Trinity [Book Review]
The very first book I assigned as part of the Every Woman a Theologian 2021 book club was this one. That probably gives away my review, but so be it: this is one of my favorite theological books of all time. Perhaps because I didn’t realize I needed it when I first read it, Michael Reeves words struck a chord in my heart and faith. It’s no my go-to resource for Christians with any question about the character of God.
Our Fall Family Discipleship Routine
“Life is a series of seasons.” This phrase from Susan Yates, who I’ve had the privilege of befriending through an annual writing retreat remains in my mind each time I have to adjust the way we teach our kids. As homeschoolers we grasp the need for flexibility on an academic scale, but changing with the seasons applies to discipleship, too. Last fall we were about to welcome our third child into the family, were three months self employed, and were in the middle of the Covid pandemic. This fall is different and presents challenges of its own.
Seven Views of the Atonement
A few months ago a post circulated Instagram in which Jesus was described as a “victim” of the cross. The idea was that Jesus never intended to be a sacrifice – He was victimized by the violence of society and set an example of love through His death. What many people don’t know is that this Instagram post wasn’t a one-off postulation by an influencer. It’s actually an entire theory on the atonement!
![The Unseen Realm [Book Review]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-9496-400x250.jpg)
The Unseen Realm [Book Review]
It took me the better part of six months to finish this book – one I’ve been asked repeatedly to review. While I usually like to buzz through books as quickly as possible, I’m glad I took the time to read this one slowly and take in the arc of history and analysis that Dr. Heiser provides.
Ask Anything Q&A: Hell, Sabbath, Revelation & Women Ministers
It’s that time again you, guys. Time for another Ask Anything theology episode! I low-key love these episodes so much… because I love anything that’s rapid fire and I can get through a lot at once! Which is probably saying a little bit about my personality – I feel you get more bang for your buck because you’re getting multiple topics in short, little snippets each episode. You feel me?
My Top Ten Bible Studies for Personal Use
It’s no secret here at Every Woman a Theologian: we want readers equipped to study the Bible independently, free of props and narrative. Learning how to study the Bible and seek God’s face without a scripted study is a skill set every Christian should cultivate. And that said… structured Bible studies also serve a purpose! A well written guided study can be immensely helpful for new believers, during a break from inductive study, or for going through a deep dive on a topic.
How (and Why) to Teach Your Kids to Sit Through Church
For the past five and a half years we’ve been actively teaching our kids (at the time of writing, ages almost 6, 4, and 1) to sit through church. When this is mentioned, I’m inevitably asked a series of questions:
“Do you not like Sunday school?”
“Don’t you want a break?”
“Why would you do that?”
“Aren’t you afraid of what people think about your kids staying in adult service?”
Ten Answers to Your Questions About Biblical Hospitality
A few weeks ago I answered questions about hospitality on Instagram. The questions and my answers were not saved, so I am sharing some of what I said here in a blog post for permanent reference! The topic of hospitality is near and dear to my heart. I truly believe it is both a lost art and a gospel mandate; people are most comfortable opening up their hearts and lives in context of a home. Further, most Christians know they should share and live their faith in community, but because hospitality is not prioritized, this faith-sharing never actually happens.