jamestippins

[jamestippins]

Deeper Connections: The Path to True Intimacy

Intimacy has often been discussed and understood in narrow terms for much of my life. We’re told intimacy culminates in physical or romantic closeness, tethered to relationships that fit into familiar, accepted frameworks. But my journey has revealed something different—something far more layered, nuanced, and ultimately, fulfilling. This journey has been about discovering a form of intimacy that…

[jamestippins]

Opinion: The Lowest Form of Intellect?

What is an opinion but a spark, a flicker of thought? Opinions come swiftly, shaped by past notions and the familiar. They require no great search, no stretching of the mind. But do they truly hold weight? Do they invite us deeper? Consider this: An opinion doesn’t demand of us— it doesn’t command precision, it requires no grounding in truth. Opinions may come and go like breath, leaving…

[jamestippins]

Drive. Without it, you’re living dead.

For a long time, I’ve found myself driven by a single question that has shaped every role I’ve held, every interaction I’ve navigated, and every challenge I’ve faced: What does it mean to be truly authentic? At first, I thought authenticity was about being honest, saying what’s on your mind, and staying true to your values. But as I’ve worked with others—whether as a pastor, mentor, coach, or…

[jamestippins]

Rest and Reflect: Election Fears

In times like these, I find my mind returning again and again to the steadying presence of God’s Word. The uncertainty and division surrounding presidential elections, particularly those as fiercely contested as this one, can feel overwhelming. It stirs in us a mixture of hopes and fears, pulling us into the tension of wanting outcomes that reflect our beliefs and values while recognizing that so…

[jamestippins]

America at a Crossroads: Unpacking the 2024 Presidential Candidates’ Policies and Their Profound Impact on Society

In the 2024 U.S. presidential race, two distinct visions for America’s future sit at the forefront, embodied by Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. These candidates stand at opposite ends of the spectrum, representing contrasting approaches across critical areas like economic policy, healthcare, immigration, climate change, education, civil liberties, and the role of…

[jamestippins]

Botched Gender Roles and the Gospel - Reclaiming Eve pt 13

Introduction The story of Eve has long been at the center of debates around gender roles within the church. She has often been cast as the symbol of female subordination and the instigator of humanity’s fall, bolstering traditional interpretations that reinforce male headship and female submission. For centuries, these interpretations have shaped not only how women are perceived but how they are…

[jamestippins]

I Quit. Finding Myself in the Clouds of Culture [June 6, 2024]

[Yesterday, Oct 20, 2024, I commented in my sermon that I had divorced from the old me. It reminded me of my journal entry on June 6 of this year. I wanted to share it here with a few edits.] You can’t spell Culture without “CULT.” I’ve heard many witty turns like this in my life, but few speak to the undertone of humanity like this one. I’ve been writing, thinking, expressing, and engaging for…

[jamestippins]

We Must Live as Truth pt1 - Honesty in all things [Before the Storm Essay]

Have you ever found yourself suppressing your honesty with others, only to find that it leads to lying to yourself? Over time, we take on the burden of other people’s emotions, assuming responsibility for their pain when it’s not ours to carry. The New Testament challenges us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Honesty isn’t just for the sake of others; it’s about setting ourselves free…

[jamestippins]

End Times Eve - Her Role in the Apacolypse | Reclaiming Eve pt 12

Eve and the New Creation: Eschatology and the Role of Women in Redemption Introduction: Eve’s Eschatological Significance Eve, the first woman and mother of all living, bears immense theological significance in the creation and fall and within the eschatological framework—the study of end times and ultimate restoration. The story of Eve, often explored through the lens of original sin and human…

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Reclaiming Eve Pt 11 - How Eve was the Cornerstone of Patriarchal Structures

Eve and Patriarchy: Reclaiming Her Story for Theological Equality Introduction: The Legacy of Eve and the Development of Patriarchal Structures Eve’s narrative in Genesis has long been weaponized to legitimize patriarchal structures in both the church and society. For centuries, Christian history has framed her as the archetypal figure of female weakness, deceit, and disobedience. This framing…

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Was Eve a Sinner? Reclaiming Eve Pt10

Essay 10: The Fall and Redemption: How Eve Shapes Our Understanding of Sin and Salvation Introduction: Eve’s Role in the Narrative of the Fall and Redemption Eve’s place in the biblical narrative is crucial for understanding both the nature of sin and the scope of redemption. Her actions in the Garden of Eden have often been viewed solely through the lens of disobedience and culpability for the…

[jamestippins]

The Bible Don't Need No Women ... err... their agency is life | Reclaiming Eve pt 9

Eve as a Paradigm for Women in Scripture: Re-examining Women’s Agency Across Biblical Narratives Introduction: Eve and the Paradigm of Female Agency Eve is often portrayed as a symbol of moral weakness, but when we dig deeper into her story, we uncover a figure that embodies the complexity of human agency. Eve’s choice to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil represents more than…

[jamestippins]

Eve as a Steward of Creation - The Queen, Reclaiming Eve Pt 7

Introduction: Eve’s Role in Creation and Ecological Responsibility The creation of Eve has always struck me as much more than a relational moment for humanity. It’s a doorway into understanding our ecological responsibility. Eve’s story isn’t just about her relationship with Adam; it’s about her connection to the world around her, the earth itself. When I think about Eve as the “mother of all…

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Eve Had a Body, That Means Something | Reclaiming Eve pt 6

Eve and Embodiment—The Theology of the Body The Sacredness of Embodiment in the Biblical Narrative The creation of Eve in Genesis marks not only the introduction of companionship for Adam but also a profound theological declaration about the sacredness of the human body. Often, the narrative shifts our focus to the relational aspect—Adam’s solitude resolved through Eve’s creation. Yet, the…

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Men are a Mess. We need to deal with more than just toxic masculinity.

Understanding Strength in Modern Masculinity: My Perspective, well, sort of… In our ongoing conversation about the evolving nature of masculinity, I find it crucial to delve into the complexities of what it means to be a strong man in today’s world. Here is an excerpt from my personal and professional writings that captures the essence of this discussion: (unedited thoughts) “A man that…

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When Feminism Speaks - Reclaiming Eve pt 4 (AYL ep 147)

Feminist Theological Perspectives on Eve: Reclaiming Her Role in the Biblical Narrative Introduction: The Emergence of Feminist Theology Delving into the emergence of feminist theology, I recognize it as a significant and often controversial development in Christian thought. Feminist theology arose as a response to the patriarchal structures that have long shaped Christian doctrine and…

[jamestippins]

Reclaiming Eve p3 - The Men Who 'Made' Her

Patristic Interpretations of Eve: Historical Context and Theological Development Introduction: The Influence of Patristic Thought As I engage deeply with the early church fathers’ interpretations of Eve, I recognize that their perspectives have significantly shaped Christian theology and doctrine, particularly regarding how Eve has been understood throughout history. Their writings reveal a…