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The Pivot: But If They Will Confess
“They will waste away in the lands of their enemies because of their sins… But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors… I will remember my covenant.”—Leviticus 26:39–42 There are consequences to wandering from God. Leviticus 26 doesn’t soften that truth. Israel’s rebellion would lead them into brokenness, loss, and exile. But.… Continue reading
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God Was Already Preparing the After
Take a look at Genesis 7. There isn’t much in Genesis 7 that feels hopeful. The flood comes. The waters rise. The earth disappears beneath them. And tucked safely inside the ark are Noah, his wife, his sons and their wives—and a representative gathering of the animal kingdom. Seven pairs of every kind of clean… Continue reading
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We Interrupt These Big Buts…
I interrupt your regularly scheduled Big Buts for a brief announcement about another project that is especially important to me. Although, come to think of it, it really isn’t much of an interruption at all. Around here, I like to say that but may be the most hopeful word in the Bible. Again and again, we find… Continue reading
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Attention Students: Your Catechismal Assignment
Dr. Buttersworth has been reading the Heidelberg Catechism again. Longtime students will recall that we’ve visited this document before and discovered something rather remarkable: apparently the theologians responsible for the Heidelberg Catechism understood the extraordinary theological usefulness of a well-placed conjunction. The Doctor approves. And today he’s found another one. This time it doesn’t appear… Continue reading
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But the Lord Was My Support
Read Psalm 18:1–19 “I love you, LORD, my strength.” What a beautiful way to begin a song. Psalm 18 is David’s celebration of deliverance. The long years of running, hiding, fearing for his life, and wondering what Saul might do next were finally behind him. God had delivered him. And David’s first response was not… Continue reading
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But They Refused
An excerpt from Chapter 22. In or Out? RSVP. It’s shorthand for the French phrase répondez s’il vous plaît—“please reply.” An RSVP calls for a response. Ignoring one is considered pretty poor etiquette. The host may need to know how many chairs to set up, how much food to prepare, or how many place settings will… Continue reading
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But Thanks Be To God
This Friday’s Where Broken Stories Meet God’s Grace post takes a personal turn. Next Wednesday will mark 43 years since my dad died. I was sixteen. Even now, I can close my eyes and watch that day unfold as if it were yesterday. So today I’m pausing to share one of the pivotal moments in my own… Continue reading
Darin Michael Shaw
In addition to being the world’s foremost expert on the conjunction but, author and freelance writer Darin Michael Shaw (he/him/his) identifies as a post-evangelical, free-range Jesus Freak, taking Jesus seriously when he says, “Follow me,” while inviting others to come and see for yourself.
Big Buts of the Bible 