Coffee with Creamer

Barry starts a series and challenges us to think about learning. Higher education often finds itself squeezed between workforce expectations and deeper human formation. As culture increasingly measures college by return on investment alone, what might be lost when the pursuit of truth, knowledge, virtue, and meaningful contribution to society are treated as optional extras […]

Barry explores the nature of altruism and why the gospel presents love for others not as an optional virtue, but as a central obligation and even promise. From the Golden Rule to Kant's categorical imperative, we consider what it means to apply ethical concern universally and why consistent compassion challenges our instincts toward favoritism and […]

Barry walks us through Psalm 111, an acrostic song that unfolds with remarkable, intentional design, each movement building on the last until the whole picture comes into focus. The structure itself becomes part of the message: nothing is accidental and everything fits into a dance between God and his people that creates an illuminating presence […]

Barry finishes our series looking at the temptations that can lead to compromise of the church. He reviews straw man explanations of failure when compromise comes calling, which fall short and trip us up, explanations (not justifications) that make sense and provide insight into our human desires, and how on (this) earth we can maintain […]

Barry starts a series looking at the temptations that can lead to compromise in the church. Competing values, expectations, and fears sing the siren's song. Many times our own forgetfulness or our desire to reshape God's religion can be our biggest challenges. Once we see these temptations for what they are, we must look to […]

Barry covers a psalm that teaches us there is a deliverer coming on our behalf, someone who brings both authority and rescue beyond what we can accomplish (or attempt to control) on our own. For those who do not live in a perfect world, we are invited to rest in the hope that deliverance and […]

Sometimes we Christians think that faith shows best when no doubts are visible; however, Barry argues that doubt's contrast can make faith shine. He walks us through 4 barriers or objections to the faith and warns us of using circular arguments, making secondary issues essential, erecting fences to help God out with his job description, […]

Barry finishes up the series on Finding and Losing Our Way—how you can walk out into the world and carry your learning home without it redesigning you. This time he focuses on experience (science and empiricism) and the gentle lull through its pragmatism which may impact our foundational truths rather than the other way ‘round. […]

In our second of the new series, From the Producer's Desk, Barry ponders what it means to step out into the world of ideas and disciplines that weren't formed explicitly from Scripture—and still remain grounded. Depending on how we address that, we either open ourselves up to learning that deepens our understanding… or we quietly […]

In moments where things seem to be falling apart and our faith is challenged, we could learn a thing or two from the believers in Acts 4. Barry examines how their prayer uses beginning, ending, height, depth, birth, and death to demonstrate who is not in charge, and who is. Scripture: Acts 4    

We begin a new series, From the Producer's Desk, and Barry discusses why religion persists. While the expectation seemed to be that as we became more “enlightened,” religion would slowly disappear, that clearly hasn't happened. In fact, even when societies or groups reject formal belief, they don't stop doing the things religion does. Where does […]

Barry closes this series about extremism covering a variety of current events/topics like ICE, trans rights, DEI, free speech, and censorship. While a discussion of that list may seem the worst idea ever, a focus on these concepts can help us survive it: community, plurality, humanity, and agency.     Scriptures: Prov 11:14, 15:22, 24:6 […]

Barry begins a new series that will help us ferret out various methods of lulling people into extremist beliefs and what often follows—extremist actions. If you are looking to hone your extremist influence, you'll want to use dehumanizing speech and fearmongering. If not, you may want to use a mirror near you to start a […]

Barry walks us through Psalm 109, pointing out a message that applies to its author, the Messiah and you and me. We may not be as significant as the other things God is doing, but we are to him.     Scriptures: Ps 109, 69 Acts 1:15-20 Lk 22:47-53 Matt 26:51-53 Books: A Grief Observed, […]

Barry finishes his commentary on Hannah, who was originally providing commentary on Augustine in our series on Existential Love. And why that particular name for the series you may ask? Because we have been given a purpose/meaning and it is one that we must choose: to Love as Christ loved us. It is this supernatural […]

Barry begins part 2 of the Existential Love series describing in more detail the complexity of loving the world without simply being part of it. The example is economic in nature. Christian love may call for more than the social interdependency evident in work and service, with its benefits to self and others.     […]

Barry begins a short series during the season of love. He turns to Hannah Arendt and St. Augustine to guide us through a confusing topic that has plagued the church throughout history: how to love the world yet not become attached to it.     Scripture: 2 Cor 4:16-18 Books: Love and St. Augustine, Hannah […]

Barry covers Psalm 108 where David seems to have a conversation with his former self as he is faced with holding onto both faith and struggle at the same time. The end result is taking up his harp and lyre to sing of what he knows will come to pass.     Scriptures: Psalm 108, […]

Barry talks about the difference between reasoning and rationalization. One can get us to the actual truth, while the other simply gets us closer to our favored opinion. He gives us a few questions to help us ferret out which option we are using. Scripture: James 3:1      

Barry finishes up his 10 maxims with one that provides hope for all the others. Perhaps nothing emphasizes better how desolate humanity's fallen nature is than the impossible step God takes to redeem it.     Scriptures: Ps 53:1-3 Rom 3:9-19 Jude 8-13 Jas 5:19-20 Matt 7:6-7 1 Kings 19:12-18

Barry covers a “commandment” that may be the most juxtaposed to our culture. While we wouldn't expect to be grateful for suffering (as that would necessitate a change to the word's definition) we can be grateful for our endurance of it. Barry talks us through this maxim with material, spiritual, social, and aesthetic examples to […]

Barry altered the wording of this maxim from previous presentations because he realized it was too easy on himself! What used to be “brutal honesty” with others has changed to “brutal honesty” with self and this in fact, makes it easier for us to offer kindness to others. This altered mindset places us square on […]

Barry covers our seventh maxim, which encourages us to consider two questions in a particular order before we decide on an action. Honoring this order for these particular questions is especially important in two situations: 1) when faced with decisions in our pragmatic culture, and 2) when suffering enters the picture.     Scriptures: Prov […]

Barry heads toward our sixth maxim, focused on change. At the beginning of the year, it is common to make some new year's resolutions. In this episode, Barry urges us to direct our changes toward a target, in community, in faith, and even in our origin.     Scriptures: Rom 3:20 Eph 2:8-11, 4:11-16 Phil […]

Barry focuses in on Mary's Magnificat along with the importance of her faith and obedience. He acknowledges that for many denominations, Mary is sometimes overlooked or downplayed—pushed to the side—rather than seen at the center of the stage where she stands in the text, exemplifying women throughout Israel's and the church's story.     Scriptures: […]

Barry heads into the 5th commandment. This one is an especially tricky one, the opposite of which seeps into our lives at every turn. How can we begin to fight back against our sinful nature? We can start by having the highest regard for the person in the world we know to be the most […]

Barry arrives at the fourth maxim, which battles it out with our culture every single day—being a follower. In God's command to honor one's parents, he provided a method of training us to be ready to honor others for the rest of our lives.     Scriptures: Ex 20:12 Matt 16:24, 19:18-19 1 Cor 11:1 […]

Barry connects our third maxim to the Sabbath commandment, reminding us that on the seventh day God created nothing material; instead creating a space every week for us to value all things correctly. It is an invitation for us to consider more carefully what's really real.     Book: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section […]

Psalm 104 reminds us of at least two more things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week. Time and order display God's faithfulness to those he loves. He continues to engage with his creation moment by moment, evincing that he walks among us now toward a future where all will be made right. Scriptures: Ps […]

Barry is back to the essentials in the 10 maxims series. This time, it's about the sanctity of human life, and the fact that is intrinsic to bearing the image of God. He challenges us with this statement: If all we mean by the value of human life is the importance of not taking it, […]

Barry begins a new series covering 10 maxims that he believes are essential to the Christian faith. These “commandments” are not those 10 commandments, but they are aligned with them and remind us that these truths will last even when we do not. Number 1: The Lord is as important as we are not.   […]

Barry talks about some of the challenges with populism and a two-party system. He provides a curious example of how, in some instances in populist movements, because of a two-party system, the minority can actually rule the majority. His conclusion? If we value freedom then we have to value it for everyone, even the ones […]

As promised, Barry provides a reflection on the book of Job. While we often think the book focuses on the righteousness and sovereignty of God, he suggests that mercy is the central point to the story. God's answer to evil's problem has always been mercy. The mercy of Job is his righteousness.       […]

Barry walks us through Psalm 101, a psalm with parallelistic properties that points out a daunting fact: a sure way to be excluded from God's house is to treat other people badly. This is likely why God found Job so blameless. Job practices what his friends did not: mercy.   Scriptures: Psalm 101 Matt 5, […]

Barry talks about the crowded intersection of risk, control, and faith. In the moments we encounter problems, does empiricism or rationalism provide a better traffic controller? He answers that question, all the while pointing us back to the one who made both the intersection and the drivers.

Barry begins the conversation about Psalm 99 by reminding us about the stories of a few great leaders in Israel. These figures write a script for us with rejection and intercession—perhaps not the most cheerful invitation, but without doubt the most Messianic.   Scriptures: Ps 99 Ex 17:4, 32:31-32 Num 16:3, 45-48 1 Sam 8:4-8, […]

Barry finishes his series about the development of the self in the context of community. This episode of the series focuses on application and invites us to three important aspects of our walk of faith: humility, repentance, and self-doubt.     Scriptures: Rom 2:15-16 Ps 19:12-13 1 Kings 17-19

Barry continues his series about the development of psychological and forensic guilt in the self—a process that inevitably occurs within a community. This, however, is a busy intersection indeed with individuals, communities, and the world at large all playing a part in the process. It is in the midst of this congestion we must try […]

Barry admits three things: he is not omniscient (first time for everything), he is an individualist, and he spends a lot of time pondering cultural ethics. From personal identity, to Scripture, to the Overton Window, a lot of things come into play when thinking through how we become who we are and what that says […]

Barry talks us through Psalm 96 and provides a fascinating contrast with a psalm in 1 Chronicles. God has all the Creator work experience necessary to also satisfy the job description of righteous Judge. And this is great news because it means vindication for us and hope for everyone.      Scriptures: Ps 96 Daniel […]

Barry talks about the importance of perspective. The first step is to admit we are flawed perceivers. However, once we do that it doesn't mean that we are wrong, that nothing can be known, or that someone else is right.     Link/Article: Target scales back on its LGBTQ+ merchandise ahead of Pride Month 2024, Target […]

Barry talks about political orientation and the workplace. Since so much of our lives can be devoted to our work, it is worth taking a moment to become aware of our sense of belonging and our level of intentionality about both our work and our coworkers.     Article: Effects of person–occupation political orientation misfit […]

Barry talks about Psalm 94 and sees the inevitable couple of hope and no hope. Hope shows up on the side of God's people as he opts to use hardship to perfect them, and no hope hangs over those who make themselves his enemy. God is powerful enough to use all the things he will […]

Barry takes a moment and a poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning to talk about the things he appreciates most about America. Having the freedom to do what we want may be one of the best things about our country, but it also requires giving up some of what we want. Poem: How Do I Love […]

Barry talks with Dr. Allan Peetz about the varied experiences that make up the life of a trauma surgeon. While surgeons are often hailed as heroes by those of us who need them (and they are), the field automatically comes with a potential downside. Our guest states, “You have this great hour to help people, […]

Barry covers our 5th and final Psalm of Ascent, which takes us in a new direction. Aside from being beautifully elegant and inspiring, this psalm is challenging and a bit of a comeuppance. Often when we think of worshipping God, we visualize a sacred space with little distractions and a lot of awe. However, this […]

Barry covers another Psalm of Ascent, a reminder of how and why we worship. Psalm 132 turns the idea of coming to worship on its head as we are not approaching God, hoping to get his attention so he will care about the things we care about. Instead, we find that God has already promised […]

Have you ever wondered why we pray? We say that God knows everything before it happens, and we believe he is always good (to the level of perfection, in fact), so why do we show up asking for things to change at all? In Psalm 130, our third Psalm of Ascent, Barry talks about the […]

The next Psalm we sing to one another, Psalm 126, as we climb up to worship God together encourages us to use our past to find hope in our future. Looking at God's work in our life can bolster the faith we need to endure our present. Sometimes it can be easier for others to […]

Barry begins our next summer series, for the month of July, back in the Psalms. This time we focus on the Psalms of Ascent. These particular songs were used as the people of God left the land of their various tribes and homes to come to a central place of worship, high up on the […]

Barry conducts our final interview with a Vice President at Criswell College. The life of Luis Juárez, our Vice President of Student Affairs and Communications, has definitely taken a circuitous route through countries, struggles, and joys, keeping with our pattern. God knows right where we are headed, even when we might never know or even […]