Robert Grunden

Sheep Food

Can We Blame Christian Division on Algorithms?
We are not testing ideas on social media. We are trying on identities.
On the Death of My Grandpa Wax: A Tribute
A few reflections in honor of my grandfather Nevin.
The Wrong Way to Listen to ‘Mars Hill’
Don’t miss the God-given opportunity to grow in humility, wisdom, and repentance.
The Answer to Bad Authority Is Good Authority
We mustn’t respond to abuse of leadership with abandonment.
Mark Driscoll and the Power of ‘Father Hunger’
Why two men—different ages from different backgrounds—reacted in opposite ways to Mark Driscoll’s infamous “How dare you!” sermon.
On ‘The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill’—Surveying Our Souls
Is the popular podcast detailing the rise and fall of Mark Driscoll good for us?
The Black Death and the Ever-Present Judgment of God
A benefit of studying history is the opportunity to encounter people who hold radically different assumptions than you do.

Must Churches Follow Mask Mandates?
9Marks doesn’t exist to make any of these judgments for you or your elder board. That’s your job, pastor. But as well as I know how to describe it, these are the principled questions before you.
A Sample Prayer of Corporate Confession
Does your church regularly confess their sins together? Consider this sample prayer of confession for some direction.
Want to Be a Pastor? Be Someone Worth Imitating.
To be a pastor is to live your life in public. Even when you’re off, you’re on. If you want to be a pastor, get ready to be watched, and start setting an example worth watching.
After Withdrawal, Afghan Christians Still Need Your Prayers
In the aftermath of the United States’ withdrawal, brothers and sisters from Afghanistan continue to reach out with requests for prayer. How can you pray for them?
15 Reasons Your Soul Needs Gathered Worship, Not Just a Livestream
Here are 15 reflections on all that is lost when we choose to worship from the couch instead of the pew.
A Brief, Personal History of How God May Use Friendships Like Yours
Getting to spend your life serving Christ is sweet. Getting to do so with dear friends only makes it sweeter.
Learn to Pastor from Faithful Pastors and Healthy Churches
The best way to learn the art of pastoral medicine is by closely observing a healthy church body. Learn to pastor from faithful pastors and healthy churches.

Carl Trueman and the Evangelical Mind
There have always been Christian voices defending gospel truths in the groves of academe.
Southern Baptists and the Founding of Israel
A new book that anyone interested in Baptist history or American views of Israel should definitely read.
Andrew Walls (1928-2021) and World Christianity
Andrew Walls was one of the greatest scholars of world Christianity and missiology.
Interpreting the Second Great Awakening
Video from a recent online panel discussion on the Second Great Awakening, hosted by the National Organization of Scholars.
Southern Baptist Fundamentalism, Then and Now
The way forward for Southern Baptists is a Great Commandment Resurgence.
New and Notable Books: Summer 2021
Here’s my latest edition of New and Notable Books. As a reminder, these suggestions focus on recent books in history, especially American history and religious/church history. These books certainly may interest fellow historians, but I also suggest ones that are accessible and (relatively) affordable to students and general readers. Jehu J. Hanciles, Migrati […]
Who Is a Fundamentalist?
If “fundamentalist” is simply a way to place people beyond the pale, then it may be rhetorically useful, but not much else.