articles – Grace Trek

A practical theological frame

08/21/2026 / Jon Wymer / 0 Comments

I would like to set here a basic practical frame for a grace-based approach to God.

My intention is to cut past many complicating factors for the sake of clarity and practicality. This will likely not be satisfying to those who are looking for a critical or analytical approach. It will likely not be satisfying for those who are interested in deeply theoretical conversations. Lastly, it is not likely to meet the needs of those looking for duties to accomplish, obligations to fulfill, or rules to follow. None of these approaches are of interest to me. read more

A practical approach to faith

08/03/2026 / Jon Wymer / 0 Comments

The course of my life as well as my work in ministry has been largely taken up with helping others with the practical problems of their life, while grappling with the practical problems of my own life. Simply put: real world problems are always present. The fears and worries, now often called anxieties, of our lives never seem to go away. Most people come to religion or faith not to gain better logic or more effective ammunition for debate. Everyday people are looking for useful solutions to their own practical problems. read more

What makes Christianity different?

02/23/2026 / Jon Wymer

Christianity is the idea that God's work changes how people think and live.

grace ≠ nice (part 3)

11/20/2025 / Jon Wymer

In contrast to moralism, the way God actually works in people's lives is not a transaction where God simply blesses good people with good things.

grace ≠ nice (part 2)

11/07/2025 / Jon Wymer

In moralism, God cares most about people doing right. If the world was ideal according to moralism, people would follow the moral rules. The worst problems in moralism are when people are not "nice" or fail to follow the rules (whatever those rules may be).

grace ≠ nice (part 1)

09/24/2025 / Jon Wymer

Some people may have a perception of Christianity that it must be overwhelmingly polite and "nice." This is certainly not the case.

moralism is never satisfied

09/10/2025 / Jon Wymer

Moralism is never satisfied. When you believe that the important things in life depend on your own effort, including how God views you and treats you, you can never do enough.

moralism isn’t enough (part 2)

09/08/2025 / Jon Wymer

The problem with moralism is that it twists the whole Bible in a subtle but profound way into an exercise in being a good person to experience a good life.

moralism isn’t enough (part 1)

09/08/2025 / Jon Wymer

I have found in nearly two decades of work as a pastor that it I run into moralism so often in working with people that I feel confident saying it is the prevalent American religion.

the structure of grace

09/04/2025 / Jon Wymer

Why talk about the structure of salvation? Isn't this a pretty theoretical and divisive topic?

Grace Trek