A Complete List of DGO Blog Posts

Contents

2025

Churchfunding: A Report of Our Day of Thanksgiving

Church Leadership: Shepherds, Sheep, and the Good Shepherd

April 12 House Celebration and Giving Opportunity

Churchfunding: Time to Celebrate!

2024

Rachel Weeping for Her Children: Death and Light in Bethlehem [Book Review]

As Good as Dead

Zeal for Your House Will Consume Me

How Is The Word of God Living and Active?

Welcome To DGO 2.0!

Churchfunding: 2023 Year-End Report

2023

Churchfunding: 2022 Year-End Report

2022

Joseph, the Just and Merciful Divorcer

Did Jesus Introduce a New Standard for Divorce? (JDR-12)

“From the Beginning It Was Not So”—And Never Has Been (JDR-11)

“Hardness of Heart” and Jesus’ Audience, Then and Now (JDR-10)

Why Did “Hardness of Heart” Cause God to Allow Divorce? (JDR-9)

“Moses Allowed You to Divorce” Suggests a Breakable Bond (JDR-8)

“Let Not Man Separate” Implies a Breakable Bond (JDR-7)

Genesis 2:24 as God’s Creation Norm for Marriage (JDR-6)

“God Has Joined Together” Does Not Imply an Unbreakable Bond (JDR-5)

“One Flesh” Does Not Imply an Unbreakable Bond (JDR-4)

“Cleave” Does Not Imply an Unbreakable Bond (JDR-3)

The “Divorce Evil” and the Response of the Mennonite Church (1880s to 1905)

Radical Faithfulness: A Proposal about Marriage Permanence

Hyper-Literalism, Could vs. Should, and a Guiding Question (JDR-2)

Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage: Introduction (JDR-1)

Churchfunding: 2021 Year-End Report

2021

Why did Mennonites Abandon the Early Anabaptist View of Jesus’ Exception Clause? (Transition from German to English)

“Worshiping and Imitating Our Servant King” (Sermon)

Why did Mennonites Abandon the Early Anabaptist View of Jesus’ Exception Clause? (Separatism and Confessional Statements)

When did Mennonites Discard the Early Anabaptist Interpretation of Jesus’ Exception Clause about Divorce?

Churchfunding: 2020 Year-End Report

2020

“In the Sight of God”: Divine Perspective from 1 Peter

Why Did Early Anabaptists Believe Jesus Allowed Divorce and Remarriage in Cases of Adultery?

Anabaptists Then (1600-1860s): “It Is Clearly to Be Seen”

Up From the Dust (Poems by Dwight)

“Concerning Divorce Between Believers and Unbelievers” – An Early Hutterite Document

Anabaptists Then (1500s): An “Unchangeable Plain Word of Christ”

Anabaptists Now: Taking Exception to Jesus’ Exception Clause

Is Marriage Indissoluble? A Look at Two Passages from “Rabbi” Paul

What Does “One Flesh” Mean?

A Song: “Before All Things (Colossians 1:15-20)”

Churchfunding: 2019 Year-End Report

2019

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (Audio and PDFs)

Is Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (6 of 6)

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (5 of 6)

Don’t You Know?! (ουκ οιδατε;)

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (4 of 6)

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (3 of 6)

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (2 of 6)

Was Jesus Okay With Homosexuality? (1 of 6)

A Season for Faith

Every Promise in the Book Is Mine?

God “Was Able”? Or “Is Able”?

2018

Churchfunding: 2018 Year-End Report

I and my Wife and Paul’s Grammar

Wanted: Weak Christians (5 of 5)

Wanted: Weak Christians (4 of 5)

Wanted: Weak Christians (3 of 5)

Wanted: Weak Christians (2 of 5)

Wanted: Weak Christians (1 of 5)

Hospitable Barbarians and Homeless Hearts

A Heart that Bears Fruit for God (4 of 4)

A Heart that Bears Fruit for God (3 of 4)

A Heart that Bears Fruit for God (2 of 4)

A Heart that Bears Fruit for God (1 of 4)

Why Did Jesus Command His Disciples to Buy Swords? – Intro Draft

Notes While Reading the Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

How Do We Know Jesus Rose from the Dead?

On Which Day of the Week Did Jesus Die?

Who Is Lording Over Whom? (Matthew 20:25)

What Does a True Follower of Jesus Look Like?

A Story in Greek

Churchfunding: 2017 Year-End Report

2017

The Higher Calling: The Church, Jesus’ Rival Nation, God’s Kingdom (Guest Post from Sattler College)

“All Things Work Together for…” What?

“Red Letter Reductionism” Expanded

Naked and Exposed Before the Living God (Sermon)

“Into the World, But Not o f the World”

Should the Church Bear Witness to the State?

Easter Graces in Atlanta

There Are Better Books (Than “The Shack”)

Sonship and Suffering–Slides from My Sermon

“Let Him” Or “If He”? Translating Divorce in Deuteronomy

2016

Churchfunding: 2016 Year-End Report

A Library Online–Or At Least Onshelves

Why Do I Believe the Bible? A Short Answer

Poll: Which Is the Best Hymnal for Mennonites?

Help Us to Not Be Afraid; Winter Birch [Poems by Mom]

Like Spring [Poem by Mom]

12 Ways to Provoke Your Children to Anger (Lou Priolo)

Spring Leaves in Rain [Poem by Mom]

God’s Word and the Pastor’s Authority (Hebrews 1:1-4)

Churchfunding Update 11: We Bought a House!

Thirty-Three Years: A Life [Poem by Mom]

Churchfunding Update 10: We Might Have a House!

Churchfunding Update 9: An Answer to Special Prayer?

Christians and Satire: What Does the Bible Say?

The RAT: A New Bible Translation for Anabaptists

Did Satan Give Super Tuesday to Trump and Clinton? (Luke 4:6)

What Jesus Wished He Could Say before He Died (John 16:12)

Why Should You Care about Cities? (3/3)

Why Should You Care about Cities? (2/3)

Why Should You Care about Cities? (1/3)

Churchfunding Update 8: An Invitation to Special Prayer

God Bless This Ark; As Arrows from the Hand [Poems by Mom]

The Church of Christ — Ferguson (4): Salvation and Church Membership

A Commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles — Merrill (Review)

In Which I Am Surprised to Agree With John Nelson Darby

Do Non-Christian Jews and Christians Worship the Same God?

Partly Free [Poem by Mom]

The Church of Christ — Ferguson (3): What Is the Church?

Peacemaking: The Quiet in the Land Speak Up

2015

“How Do You Know Me?” — Words and Self-Identity

The Picture Smart Bible and Other Bible Resources for 2016

Arminians, Calvinists, and Two Theological Terms Worth Chucking

Between Comings (A Poem for Christmas)

Chronological Bibles — A Buying Guide

The Church of Christ — Ferguson (2): Covenant, Kingdom, Christ

The Church of Christ — Ferguson (1): Introduction

Downsview Station Jazz Rap [Poem by Mom]

Study Resources for John

A Traitor Comes to the Table [Poem by Mom]

NIV Zondervan Study Bible (Review and Comparison with ESV Study Bible)

Is “Love One Another” A New Commandment for You?

“The Great Missing Link in Much of Anabaptist Missions” — David Robertson

Churchfunding Update 7: Funds Ready, Waiting on House ($69,635)

40 Questions about Baptism and the Lord’s Supper — Hammett (Review)

Churchfunding Update 6: Time to Send Your Pledges–Here’s How ($65,895)

Churchfunding Update 5: Almost Ready for Your Pledges! ($60,995)

Churchfunding Update 4: In the School of Faith ($44,240)

Happy Birthday, DGO!

Only God’s World [Poem by Mom]

Churchfunding Update 3: Halfway to Making an Offer ($30,415)

Churchfunding Update 2: Our New Accountant ($26,965)

Churchfunding Update 1: Info for Canadians and More ($20,625)

Churchfunding a House in Atlanta: Official Launch

In Which a Strange Plan Is Hatched on Facebook (News Bulletin)

Commentary Sale — New American Commentary Series on Kindle

Going Public: Why Baptism Is Required for Church Membership — Jamieson (Review)

Jesus in the Room [Poem by Mom]

The Arts, Biblical Theology, and Proof I’m Not a Complete Philistine

The Arts and the Absence of Jesus

A Is for Atlanta

Lot the Big-Time Mennonite Farmer

Study Resources for Kings and Chronicles

Fresh Milling [Poem by Mom]

Articles of Church Membership

A Fellowship of Differents — McKnight (Review)

Remember the Resurrection, to Keep it Central

Judgment and Meaning: You’ll Get Your Day in Court

125 Years of Seven Ordinances — Rough Draft

Infinitude [Poem by Mom]

In the Presence of Older Theologians

The Lord’s Prayer and the Center of the Universe

Melchizedek, Carson, and the Tar Baby

Prayers for Conservative Anabaptist Churches

New Bible Reading Plan for a Mid-Year Boost

Defending Substitution: An Essay on Atonement in Paul — Gathercole (Review)

By Every Word [Poem by Mom]

Tradition in the NT (2): Good Examples

Tradition in the NT (1): Bad Examples

Study Resources for Hebrews

Trained by Grace, Made Holy by the Gospel

Clarifications about Removing Church Traditions

Thinking Intentionally about Tradition and Change

Jasmine, Our Blossom [Poem by Mom]

“Christian Atheists” – Guest Post by Frank Reed

“The Holy Scriptures Must Be Our Ruling Standard”

Contentment: “Whose God Is Their Belly”

Is a “Radical Lifestyle” a Hurdle for Seekers?

Unfinished Thoughts for Your Improvement

The Schleitheim Confession: Who May Share the Lord’s Supper?

There Is Hope of a Tree [Poem by Mom]

When the Church Was a Family — Hellerman (Review)

The New Testament Church: The Challenge of Developing Ecclesiologies – Harrison/Dvorak (Review)

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (7): Conclusions and Questions

Life Thirst: L’Chaim [Poem by Mom]

What I Learned at AIC 2015 about How To Use the Bible

Reading the Psalms as Christians

“Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!”

The Love of Christ Controls Us

NIV Proclamation Bible (Book Review)

Anabaptists, Flat Bibles, and the Sabbath

Study Resources for Matthew

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (6): William Tyndale

Professor Janzen Reads Hopkins’ Sonnets [Poem by Mom]

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (5): Menno Simons

More on Calvin: Marks of the Church and Fighting Nicely.

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (4): John Calvin

When Will the Church Be Pure?

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (3): Huldrych Zwingli

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (2): Martin Luther

Ecclesiology of the Reformers (1): Late Middle Ages

Watching You Watch the Birds [Poem by Mom]

Kissing in the First Century: Excerpt from Craig Keener

NIV Turns 50: An Interview with Douglas J. Moo

Final Surprises about 2014’s Most Popular Verses (Part 3)

10 Surprises about 2014’s Most Popular Bible Verses (Part 2)

10 Surprises about 2014’s Most Popular Bible Verses.

2014

5 Ways to Understand the Bible Better in 2015

At Christmastime; Christmas Comes Again [Poems by Mom]

Does the Resurrection Matter? (Albert Mast’s Memorial Service)

A “Far Better” Morning for Albert

What Is the Christian’s True Hope in Death?

ESV Audio Bible on Sale

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 6)

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 5)

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 4)

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 3)

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 2)

Giving To and Through the Church (Part 1)

Two Trees [Poem By Mom]

Which Came First–Original Sin or Infant Baptism?

Kindle Sale: NIV Application Commentaries

Should Every Church Gathering Look Like 1 Corinthians 14?

On Translation Choices and Pastoral Concerns

Who Judged After Samson? Eli or Samuel?

What to Expect Next on Dwight Gingrich Online

“In Adam’s Fall We…?” Inclusion or Imperialism in Romans 5

Can a Hermit Be Humble?

If You’re Not a Berean, Who Might You Be?

Launch Day!

Social Media according to the Gospel

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives…”

Resurrection Now! Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places

Tools for Reading Old Testament Stories Well

Which New Testament Church Practices Are Normative for Today?

Should You Desire to Be an Elder?

3 Lessons from the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35)

The Big Picture Story Bible – David R. Helm

On motivating Christians to holy living

“Men learned in the Greek and Hebrew languages”

Handbook on the NT Use of the OT – G.K. Beale

According to the Scriptures – C.H. Dodd

What is “the Rapture”?

“The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”

Are you being trained by grace?

Deuteronomy–heart of the Old Testament, hints of the New

“What I learned in seminary” — a list for pastors

Decision-making with God in the picture

Music-making and bonding in multicultural churches

“Creating a Reading Culture in Your Church”

“Getting Excited About Melchizedek”

“Why become ‘all things to all people’?”

Mennonites, education, and missions

Story-powered godly living

On pragmatism and biblicism

The goal of gospel contextualization

“For you formed my inward parts”

“Eating and drinking unworthily” and Christian poverty

“With a rich man in his death” — Holy Saturday thoughts

“Many” New Testament allusions to Isaiah 53

A Definition of “Baptism"

On reading Augustine of Hippo

The frustration and joy of John the Baptist

Fun with church history and chastity

What’s this bit about “sinful nature”?

Head and heart: Worshiping as whole persons

Old Testament holy war and Christian nonresistance

On the danger of turning norms into absolutes

Church cultures and the danger of complacency

“What grace alone can do” — J.S. Coffman

Coffman and the origin of 7 ordinances

Do you “believe into” Jesus?

Seeing the face of God

On scanning Mennonite confessions of faith

“Ran… embraced… kissed”

Wisdom versus revelation – James 1:5

Jonah and superficial repentance

On taking God’s name in vain

“When people add to the Word of God”

On borrowing pagan musical forms

“The difference between Christians and the rest of mankind”

What do I love most?

A doctrine of “continually renewed minds”?

Rapture? Or a new heaven and a new earth?

Did Enoch and Elijah die?