Welcome to the personal blog of Dr. Jay Givens, Professor of Theological Studies, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX.
Latest Blog Entries
When the Prodigal Son Met Esau and Cain
The prodigal son in Luke 15 is one of the best-known stories of Jesus. Jesus frames this story of a father and 2 sons to make us think of two earlier sets of brothers: Cain and Abel and Esau and Jacob. What happens when the prodigal meets Esau and Cain?
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Wildflowers in the Field (Earth Day 2023)
Wildflowers along the highway help us think about the small ways we can care for creation. They also remind us of the teachings of Jesus.
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Reflections on a Donkey, Crying Stones, and Jesus’ Tears
What was Jesus’ message when he rode a donkey? Why did he say the stones would cry out? What led him to shed tears? Many see Palm Sunday as a triumphal event but was Jesus rebuking his disciples through a prophetic act that still speaks to us today?
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The Peace of Divine Purpose (Advent 2022)
How do we find peace in the midst of difficult times and periods of suffering? Can we trust God that he has a plan in uncertain times? This is the story of Jesus’ birth and childhood. (A reflection written for WBU’s 2022 Advent devotional.)
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Christian Reflections on the Taoist Way of Water
For the Taoist, we should strive to live in line with the Tao, the Way of the universe. For the Taoist, the power of yielding water is the way we should structure our lives. What is the Taoist concept of power as yielding water? For Christians, is this not a description of the way of…
Keep readingWhat is Orthopistis?
“Right faith” or “Proper Allegiance”
Too often, Christians emphasize orthodoxy (literally “right worship,” but usually defined as “right thoughts”) to the extent that Christianity becomes a checklist of mental assents disconnected from ethical living. To counter this tendency, others assert orthopraxis (“right actions”) over orthodoxy, but how do we determine what the right acts are?
Instead, I believe the New Testament emphasizes orthopistis, that is, right faith or proper allegiance to Christ. A focus on orthopistis will reform our thoughts and reorient our actions, though this reformation/reorientation is a lifelong process.
Sermons
Many of this site’s blog posts are summaries of sermons. Often, there is a video and/or audio link to the sermon if you are interested in more than the summary.
Blog
Thoughts about the Christian life and faith, religion, and culture.
About Dr. Givens
Learn more about Dr. Givens. While he teaches at Wayland Baptist University, the views expressed in this blog are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the university.
Dr. Givens is available to preach or lead a study in your church, serve as an interim minister, or speak to your college or service organization. For more information, please contact him.
Orthopistis 