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.
May His Abundance Never Scare You
My struggle with PPA after Ivan’s birth was much worse than it was with either of my girls. It came at night in waves. Just as I was about to go to sleep, I would have intrusive thoughts about Ivan suffocating. Or my girls running into the road. Of me falling down the stairs with the baby in my arms. I would wake up gasping and crying as Josh reached out to calm me, holding my head and praying me back to sleep.
Contemplative Prayer: Biblical or New Age?
“Put simply, the contemplative life is the steady gaze of the soul upon the God who loves us. It is “an intimate sharing between friends,” to use the words of Teresa of Avila.” That’s how contemplation is described by Renovare, the ministry founded by spiritual disciplines expert and lifelong pastor, Richard Foster.
![Ask Anything Q&A: Jewish Feasts, Friendships with Non-Christians [Transcribed]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/roberto-nickson-vRAYwESFc-U-unsplash-400x250.jpg)
Ask Anything Q&A: Jewish Feasts, Friendships with Non-Christians [Transcribed]
Every few episodes in our current podcast series is a quick compilation of Ask Anything Monday questions. I answer these rapid fire, covering a range of ideas and topics sent in by you! In this episode, we talk about:
dating for experience versus dating for marriage
friendships with non Christians
why charismatics are accused of being New Age
the origins of Mennonite churches
How to Determine Core Doctrine
In this long awaited episode – a transcription of my Discernment 101 classes – I break down some of the essential pieces for discerning through Christian content online, in books, and in conversations using Albert Mohler’s theological triage method and my own hacks for determining theological bias.
What is Dispensationalism?
In this episode of Verity Podcast, I break down the history of dispensationalism, how it spread so quickly throughout the continental United States, and the impact it has had on our view of the church and end times theology.
![Is Breastfeeding a Moral Issue? [The Women’s Issues Series]](https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/wp-content/uploads/kevin-liang-xBLv_ddXr8k-unsplash-400x250.jpg)
Is Breastfeeding a Moral Issue? [The Women’s Issues Series]
In the third segment on women’s issues on Verity podcast, we are discussing the controversy around breastfeeding: Why is it that this has been raised to the level of a moral issue? What does Scripture say about it, and how has this played out in history?
Breastfeeding is just one example, though, of a greater issue: The guilt and shame of the mommy wars.
The Cross We Won’t Carry: Unity, Orthodoxy, and Theological Pride
Francis Schaeffer is credited with saying, “Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.” There is something monstrous about a gospel obscured with condescension. There is a bitter aftertaste to cancel-culture Christianity. And yet… how do we know when something should genuinely be rejected as heretical or heterodox? There are guiding principles to Christianity, truths defended and held for thousands of years. These are not to be lightly taken. Can we hold to biblical orthodoxy without losing our hearts?
How to Love the Graceless Christian
I was the graceless Christian. I remember well the inner criticism, the judgmental eye, the pride harbored in my heart. It’s never far enough away for me to become careless about it. I’ve grown in my understanding for and appreciation of grace, and each day I walk more in victory. But I remember who I could be without Him. Years into this walk with Christ I’ve grown to deeply appreciate clarity on core doctrine and graciousness for second and third tier issues. Knowing which is which is fundamental, in my opinion, to spiritual maturity.
Is Easter Pagan?
A few years ago I first saw an infographic running around Facebook about Easter and its “pagan origins”. I was intrigued by this accusation. I knew that it often came from Messianic and Hebraic Roots communities, but since I try to entertain other views, I did some serious digging.
Cessationism and Continuationism: Two Views of Spiritual Gifts
Do the revelatory spiritual gifts – tongues, healing, and prophecy – continue to modern day? If not, why are they so prevalent in Acts? If they do, why do we see them practiced in strange and chaotic ways? And what does the Bible say?
A History and Theology of Worship
Is it wrong to listen to certain forms of music? What about worship music from a church who has had some questionable teachings?
Four Views of the End Times
A lot of people have eschatology on the brain these days. With all the speculation about the end of the world, one world governments, microchips and 666, it’s hard to know where to draw the line between what’s biblical and what is not!
Calvinism and Arminianism: An Overview
The terms Reformed and Calvinist, though not the same, are often used interchangeably. So if you have been introduced to “reformed” theology, this would be a good listen for you. If you are a Calvinist who has been taught that Arminians compromise the gospel or are “semi-Pelagian”, I would also encourage you to listen! You might be surprised at what Arminius actually taught.
What’s Really Behind Your Bible Study Struggle
One of the question I receive on a weekly basis is “What do you do when you just don’t feel like studying the Bible?” It’s something all Christians will run into at one point or another. This isn’t a foreign experience, even for the long term faithful Christian. But that doesn’t mean it’s something we accept; something we grow apathetic about. It’s something we overcome.
The Glory Days Are Here (and Yet to Come)
I’m told the good days are over.
If the election turns out one way, things will never be the same. If a vaccine is mandated, or if it isn’t; if the House changes, or if it doesn’t; if the businesses open, or if they don’t – the good days are over. There is no hope.
Do Not Merely Listen: My Response to Ravi’s Fall
Ravi Zacharias was one of the “good ones”, I thought. When he died, I celebrated the fact that a man had completed a life’s work for the gospel without scandal. He died a champion for the faith – or so I believed. I cried through the memorial video released by RZIM, but at the time, they were tears of joy for the legacy I believed Ravi had.
How Our Family Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and like All Saints Day, we like to celebrate this small holiday in a way which connects to its church history. Though we no longer have access to much history of Saint Valentine (who was likely a conglomeration of more than one person by that name), the church legends associated with him grant much greater meaning to this holiday than the commercialized version would have you know.