Christian Living
John Fernandes
The Common and Weak Arguments of Pro-Choice ...

Roe V Wade was overturned yesterday and my social media feeds have been permeated with Pro-Choicers spewing arguments that are complete nonsense, whether I was a pro-lifer based in Christianity (or any religion) or a pro-lifer based in atheism. I will present those arguments and provide logical and scientific reasons why they are invalid. You may say “there is no absolute truth, truth is subjective.” If you do, you just contradicted yourself already and made a poor argument. To say definitely that no absolute truth exists, you are defining subjective truth as absolute truth…

The Common and Weak Arguments of Pro-Choice Unraveled
Mental Health, Life Experience
John Fernandes
Today, I Embraced My Inner Child

There is a trend in psychology going around about understanding and healing your inner child. I have never understood it until today. I think a reason seasonal depression hits me, is it brings back feelings and memories that were uncomfortable or negative for younger me. I sat on social media and observed the “memories” that it had for me for today. That only exacerbated my mood. Lost friends, past failures, broken relationships, etc. Nothing changes if nothing changes, so I took action.

Today, I chose to listen to my inner child. I chose to serve my inner child. I chose to embrace my inner child.

Today, I Embraced My Inner Child
Ministry
John Fernandes
Youth Deserve the Same Opportunity To Worship ...

Picture this. It is Sunday morning. You are attending your Sunday morning church service, yearning to experience God, working to deepen your knowledge of God, and aiming to deepen your relationship with God. You are in the middle of the musical worship portion of the service when people slam through the sanctuary doors with a ruckus. But it doesn’t stop there. They loudly speak to people throughout the congregation. Would you be distracted? I would be. Would it interrupt your worship? It would for me.

Youth Deserve the Same Opportunity To Worship As Adults
Mental Health
John Fernandes
Stages of Change for Leaving A Sinful Lifestyle

The Stages of Change Model is a key tool in addiction counseling and recovery. We can see the Stages of Change model active in more than just recovery from substances, but instead in any type of change we are endeavoring to make. This model even describes when the Holy Spirit starts convicting us for things in our life that are not of God.

Stages of Change for Leaving A Sinful Lifestyle
Mental Health
John Fernandes
Can Christians Say Addiction Is A Disease?

Recently, I have encountered many Christians who say that addiction is not a disease it is purely a matter of choice and self-control. As somebody in recovery and finishing up his Masters in Addiction Counseling, I firmly say that is bologna, and can be a very dangerous and harmful thing to say.

Can Christians Say Addiction Is A Disease?

the back side of the cross

The Back Side of the Cross - A Book Critique Part 1

Diane Leclerc and Brent Peterson worked collaboratively to author “The Back Side of the Cross.” This novel beautifully brings awareness to the extensive meaning of and work done by Jesus on the cross. I have had the blessings of having several conversations with Dr. Peterson while I was pastoring in Idaho. Dr. Peterson is the Dean of the College of Theology and Christian Ministries at Northwest Nazarene University. Peterson attended NNC for his bachelor’s degree, Nazarene Theological Seminary for his Master of Divinity, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary for his Ph.D. Peterson is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Leclerc has published numerous articles along with 7 books. Leclerc has worked at NNU for 20+ years and is currently the professor of Historical Theology. Leclerc has served in different societies and communities such as president of the Wesleyan Theological Society, a member of the North American Nazarene Women Clergy Council, and member of the Articles of Faith Theology Committee in the Church of the Nazarene. Knowing this background of these authors is important to prepare for the theological lens they will endeavor to use when analyzing the “back side of the cross.” As a district licensed pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, I do not anticipate to find much if any disagreements with any theological statements contended.

Chapter 1 is a thorough introduction of what the book is speaking on and not speaking on. As Christians, we often see the cross merely for making atonement for the sins we have committed. The authors present the question “does the cross of Christ have anything to say to the ‘sinned-against’?” (Page 27). We often try to defend or rationalize God’s existence when there is horror, terror, pain, and tears that exist in the world. The authors affirm that theodicy is not the focus of this book. We focus so much on trying to answer the problem of sin existing with an all-loving and all-powerful God to an extent where it then estranges the victims from Christians. It invalidates their experiences and pain. The Church must allow these victims to share their experiences that are “peculiarly alienating and dehumanizing” (40). The word “victim” being used it not to keep victims in a place of victimization, but instead to acknowledge that they are the recipients facing the repercussions of being sinned against.

I am very excited to read “The Back Side of the Cross.” This is an area in theology that I haven’t encountered much and, as a counselor, I believe is very much needed. I am hoping to read in these pages practical theology to help with healing for those who have been sinned against and need healing from trauma. I believe that true healing, restoration, and redemption comes from Christ. I intend to present a review and critique of this book in chunks here on the blog as I continue to make my way through it. I encourage you all to get a copy of the book for yourself!