Kris Miller > Recent Status Updates

A great introduction to understanding trauma through a biblical framework. The author is not a psychologist and therefore does not cling to modern therapeutic ideology. I very much appreciate his balanced perspective. Trauma is not simply difficult things we go through in life. Labeling everything that’s hard as trauma dilutes the actual meaning of trauma. Trauma, in this context, is a life-altering experience.

Helplessness is an invariable element in the experience of trauma, A person not only feels unable to help themselves, but also isolated from outside help. No one comes close. The things they have faced are unspeakably bad and the absence of speech produces barriers that prevent others from even being told of the awfulness of what has taken place. Without being able to convey their experience of harm, they are alone

A truth-filled apology has a majestic quality, while a concession lacks that freeing quality. It confuses and frustrates because it doesn’t name specific wrongs, leaving the wrongdoer’s responsibility unclear. Not accepting a concession can lead to further tension. Concessions are short, non-specific, and defensive, as the individual or organization tries to avoid facing consequences and expects immediate escape.

“There are no shortcuts to authentic confession, restitution, and repair. A person must know what it is they have done and the harm they have caused before they can even hope to offer an apology that heals. Truth must always precede confession, and an apology offered without a full acknowledgement of the truth is more likely a concession, a tactic designed to disarm a threat.”

I love Brant’s writing style, practical approach and humor. He’s the kind of guy I want to emulate. After reading his more grown-up version, this version is a fantastic resource to disciple your son on biblical masculinity. His take on masculinity is by far the most helpful to me personally out of any other book for men that I’ve ever read. He skips the flowery motivational speech and just lays it out plainly.

“…Some well-meaning person often complicates the difficulty by saying, ‘but in every conflict, there's always wrong on both sides.’ Really? In many conflicts, yes, but in every conflict? That is not what the Bible says. The first church split in the Bible was pretty one-sided. Cain murdered his brother Abel in Genesis 4 over a controversy regarding worship.”

“At some point, you realize that what makes the relationship impossible isn't the original wrong, but the denial of the wrong. Our willful denial of God is the mega offense above all our other offenses that God challenges by his massive love in Christ.”

Biblical Theology is my favorite of the “theologies”

Such a gracious and helpful book.

Don't ever let anyone convince you that any religion that does not have repentance toward God in a most prominent place deserves to be called the gospel. A gospel indeed. That's no gospel in which repentance is not a primary thing. A gospel. It is the gospel of man, but not of God. A gospel. It comes from earth, but not from heaven. A gospel. It's not the gospel at all. It is contrary to the gospel.

There are many things that are not necessary. Riches are not necessary. Health is not necessary. Fine clothes are not necessary. Distinguished friends are not necessary. The favor of the world is not necessary. Talents and education are not necessary. Millions of people have reached heaven without these things… However, no one ever reached heaven without repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Direct speech is out. Indirect speech is in. Open debate is out. Emotional reasoning is in. Ideas are out. Empathy is in.”

Implications
* Long-term intellectual rigor and wisdom compromised by short-term empathetic optics
* Group dynamics incentivize self-censorship and conformity
* Potential erosion of open debate culture
* Labeling dissenters with negative social traits discourages critical engagement

Methods Used to Suppress Challenging Claims
* Attacking reputations and “poisoning the well” to discredit individuals
* Demonizing and heightening suspicion of outsiders to the group
* Targeting presumed tone rather than content
* Framing all rhetorical actions as illegitimate power maneuvers
* Policing discourse to block threatening positions
* Social ostracism to induce self-censorship

A false balance exists that pressures leaders to equally spotlight flaws “on all sides” and to treat all issues as equivalent.
This purports moral equivalence where moral asymmetry exists, hindering recognition and public affirmation that some positions or behaviors are more morally problematic than others.

Truth > Feelings

The prayers and readings are such a grace.

Working through this with the family is a great encouragement