Posts by Steve Porter

Steve Porter

Steve Porter (Ph.D.) is Senior Research Fellow and Executive Director of the Martin Institute for Christianity & Culture at Westmont College, and an affiliate Professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation at the Institute for Spiritual Formation and Rosemead School of Psychology (Biola University). Steve received his Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Southern California and M.Phil. in philosophical theology at the University of Oxford.

Steve teaches and writes in Christian spiritual formation, the doctrine of sanctification, the integration of psychology and theology, and philosophical theology. He co-edited Until Christ is Formed in You: Dallas Willard and Spiritual Formation, Psychology and Spiritual Formation in Dialogue, and Dallas’s final academic book, The Disappearance of Moral Knowledge. In addition to various book chapters, he has contributed articles to the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, Philosophia Christi, Faith and Philosophy, Journal of Psychology and Theology, Themelios, Christian Scholar’s Review, etc. Steve and his wife Alicia live with their son Luke and daughter Siena in Long Beach, CA.

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The Good Book Blog
Responding to a Global Pandemic as a Global Trial
Steve Porter — December 06, 2021
In a well-known sermon from 1987, Dr. E. V. Hill preached his wife’s funeral. Interspersed with remembering Jane Edna’s life and grieving her loss, Dr. Hill intones Job 1:21, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”
The Good Book Blog
Have You Been Discipled?
Steve Porter — October 12, 2021
Within the Gospel accounts, Jesus utilized a variety of metaphors to describe his relationship with his followers: vine and branches, shepherd and...
The Good Book Blog
In Memoriam: Bruce A. Demarest (1935–2021)
Steve Porter — February 19, 2021
It seems especially important in these days to draw attention to a life lived well. Dr. Bruce Demarest, Senior Professor of Christian Theology and...
The Good Book Blog
Jesus’ School of Discipleship is Always in Session
Steve Porter — April 14, 2020
It is important to note that Jesus’ school of discipleship has not been canceled. It hasn’t even gone online. In-person classes are always in...
The Good Book Blog
Discipleship in the Time of Coronavirus
Steve Porter — March 25, 2020
Under threat, scarcity and stress human persons understandably become self-protective. We turn inward. And yet, the demands of these days call us outward.
Talbot Magazine
Biola University Receives $1.9 Million Grant to Measure the Spiritual and Character Development of Seminary Students
Steve Porter — December 02, 2019
What is the impact of a theological education on the spiritual and character development of theology students? While there is often anecdotal...
Talbot Magazine
The Disappearance of Moral Knowledge
Exploring Dallas Willard’s parting diagnosis of our cultural moment
Steve Porter — June 04, 2019
Perhaps it goes without saying that we live in a time of moral bewilderment. Similar to the time of Isaiah, persons can easily call evil good and...
The Good Book Blog
Holes in the Ground: Trials and the Christian Life
Steve Porter — October 19, 2017
I just returned from visiting a hole. The last time I met this hole in the ground was twenty-two years ago. I was in my mid-20s and probably in the best shape of my life. I was just beginning my daily 5-mile run and, if I remember right, I was feeling great about myself. I was young, healthy, thriving. As I ran through La Mirada Regional Park in the prime of my life there was a little 6 inches long by 3 inches wide hole under some pine needles up ahead. My foot found the hole or perhaps the hole found my foot and in a fraction of a second I went from a vigorous young man to a pathetic young man, lying on the ground, writhing in pain. As I hobbled back to my house, barely able to walk on my freshly sprained ankle, I found myself keenly aware of how incredibly fragile and vulnerable I was. Of course, the truth was that I was that fragile and vulnerable seconds before the hole, but it took the hole to bring that ever-present reality into awareness. I was painfully right-sized ...
The Good Book Blog
Dualism, Non-Reductive Physicalism, and the Spiritualization of Death
Steve Porter — May 30, 2017
Recently I was in discussion with a friend who was concerned about the tendency of some Christians to spiritualize death and dying by appeal to the afterlife. To “spiritualize” death and dying is to utilize spiritual beliefs to avoid dealing with unwanted feelings over the loss of a loved one. “I just try to think of how happy she is with Jesus.” “When we see him again in heaven it will seem like no time has passed.” “I am just glad she’s finally at rest in Jesus’ arms.” To spiritualize death and dying in these and other ways is a defense mechanism. It is a way to defend against experiencing some painful part of reality as it actually is ...
The Good Book Blog
Finding Contentment in a Discontented World
Steve Porter — April 13, 2017
Have you ever noticed how discontentment with the circumstances of our lives spawns all kinds of problems? Some time ago I missed the freeway exit while driving with my family. Of course, the next opportunity to exit was several miles further down and, due to some road construction, taking this exit led me on a seemingly never-ending detour in order to get back to the freeway. With our toddler crying in the car seat, I was anything but content with how things were going. As the discontentment grew I became more and more anxious about getting where we needed to go, frustrated with myself, impatient with the detour, and angry about our situation. All of this eventually spilled over in a pitiful attempt to blame my wife for my having missed the exit in the first place! ...
The Good Book Blog
Pokémon Go and Jesus
Steve Porter — July 28, 2016
By now, most of us know about the Pokémon GO craze. My son downloaded the app on my cell phone the week it came out and while I don’t play much, I understand enough of the game to capture Pokémon and cash in on the rewards dished out at PokéStops (for the uninitiated, Pokémon are monsters of various species that appear on the game display based on where players are physically located and PokéStops are places where players can collect needed items—thus, people play this game on the move). So, the other day while on a prayer walk in a local park, I had my Bible app open to Colossians 3 and my son’s Pokémon GO app open as well. It turns out that parks are fruitful places for capturing Pokémon.
The Good Book Blog
Going On Retreat: The Role of Good Intentions in Spiritual Formation
Steve Porter — April 21, 2016
“It’s the thought that counts,” we say and, of course, thoughts do count. But the mere thought to do something—the desire and intention to do it—falls short of actually doing it. “I thought about getting you a birthday present, but … I didn’t.” And yet, there is something about the desire and intention to do good that is itself good. It is the right place to start. We desire and then intend to do something good and that desire/intention is an essential part of being a good person ...
Biola Magazine
Does Jesus Possess the Cure for Anxiety?
Steve Porter — March 19, 2014
Recently I was reading through the Sermon on the Mount and I had to stop and chuckle. I got to the passage where Jesus is teaching not to worry...
The Good Book Blog
Bunnies, Malted Milk Balls, and the Crucifixion
Steve Porter — March 28, 2013
While Christians decry the secularization of Christmas, the spirit of that season (gift-giving, twinkling lights, warm cocoa) coalesces rather well with the celebration of God coming to earth in the birth of Jesus. Easter is more difficult. For the Christian, the meaning of Easter is directly connected to the brutal and unjust execution of the one born in Bethlehem. Easter is the exuberance of the empty tomb, and yet it stands in solidarity with the alienation of a blood stained cross.
Biola Magazine
Finding Contentment in a Discontent World
Steve Porter — December 31, 2007
Have you ever noticed how discontentment with the circumstances of our lives spawns all kinds of problems? The other day I missed the freeway exit...