So . . . What’s This Blog All About?

I have this intense desire to carry on a conversation about things that matter — and so I decided to launch this blog. I hope these things matter to you as well.“How presumptuous,” that was my first thought about this blog. “Really? So you think you have that much to say that people might want to hear?” I’m a little shaky on the answer to that.But I do know I care deeply about ideas. I am one of those people who thinks on things — and I am constantly chasing back to my computer on a Saturday morning in order to snag some of those floating, fleeting thoughts. I believe, in the very act of writing, we often get more clarity about things.Ideas matter: That is one of the guiding assumptions in this blog. I believe leaders must lead with ideas. Organizations and cities and countries are shaped by ideas. Movements begin with ideas. The world is changed through ideas. Universities are shaped in their deeper purpose by ideas.It’s fair to ask, what kind of ideas are you talking about? Well, here are some things I care about. I care about the issues of the day. I care about culture, that deep driving force that determines how we behave in the world. I care about the gospel of Jesus Christ, that mysterious power that changes everything, including my life, on a daily basis, including the world. I care a lot about how that gospel engages culture, how we might participate in cultural engagement winsomely. I care a great deal that more of God’s children might flourish in the world.I hope never to strike the posture that I’ve got all the answers, because I know that’s not the case. The posture here will be “these are my thoughts. I care about these things. Now tell me what you think.”But listen to this: I believe there is a story out there that is true and good and beautiful. In our postmodern moment, it is exceedingly difficult to assert and affirm such a story as true for the world. I want to think together about how we embrace this ancient Christian story as a true story of human flourishing.Finally, I care deeply about the work of the Christian university in our day. Sometimes I will talk about the place where I work, Seattle Pacific University. I believe the Christian university, rightly focused, at its best, is animated from its core by the profound story of God’s love and grace and joy. At Seattle Pacific, we believe it is our job to bring hope into the world. Can a university change the world. Emphatically yes. That’s what drives me.So, these are the things I’d like to talk about in the days ahead. I would love to hear what you think along the way. Maybe, indeed, we can change the world together.httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dXf1FdOa90