Ben Hein
@brheiny.bsky.social
Neo-Calvinism, Reformed ethics, and church planting for the urban ministry context. Near Westside of Indianapolis. Mostly quotes. Good vibes only.
Is this thing still on?
July 3, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Is this thing still on?
NEW Post | The ethical complexity of the urban context is only increasing as these communities face the intersecting challenges of globalization, immigration, racism, and economic injustice. Future urban ministers require more education and training, not less. benhein.substack.com/p/the-future...
The Future of Urban Ministry Training
"Let us beware of incurring the displeasure of the Lord of the harvest.”
benhein.substack.com
April 2, 2025 at 8:12 PM
NEW Post | The ethical complexity of the urban context is only increasing as these communities face the intersecting challenges of globalization, immigration, racism, and economic injustice. Future urban ministers require more education and training, not less. benhein.substack.com/p/the-future...
Joshua McIlvaine: It is to be feared that the gospel of the Presbyterian church “is generally confined to those who are able to pay for it; our membership is composed almost exclusively of those who are well to do in the world.”
benhein.substack.com/p/the-remedy...
benhein.substack.com/p/the-remedy...
The Remedy for Our Great Evil
Becoming a Church for the Poor
benhein.substack.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Joshua McIlvaine: It is to be feared that the gospel of the Presbyterian church “is generally confined to those who are able to pay for it; our membership is composed almost exclusively of those who are well to do in the world.”
benhein.substack.com/p/the-remedy...
benhein.substack.com/p/the-remedy...
This is one of my least read essays, but its one I feel that has been most important. It defines a good deal of my ministry philosophy and presence online:
benhein.substack.com/p/the-danger...
benhein.substack.com/p/the-danger...
The Danger of Spiritual Gentrification
When the issues of White Evangelicalism come at the expense of my immediate neighbor, I am a spiritual gentrifier.
benhein.substack.com
March 21, 2025 at 2:48 PM
This is one of my least read essays, but its one I feel that has been most important. It defines a good deal of my ministry philosophy and presence online:
benhein.substack.com/p/the-danger...
benhein.substack.com/p/the-danger...
The popular, progressive narrative on gentrification paralyzes good actors and prevents positive change in neighborhoods that are trapped in spirals of disinvestment. Some lessons I’ve learned:
NEW Post | So, you’re worried about gentrification? Relax: you’re probably not the bad guy.
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
So, You're Worried About Gentrification?
Relax: You're probably not the bad guy.
benhein.substack.com
March 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The popular, progressive narrative on gentrification paralyzes good actors and prevents positive change in neighborhoods that are trapped in spirals of disinvestment. Some lessons I’ve learned:
Neo-Calvinist application of the institute and organism should look much more like a dance with a lead who supports the unique beauty and skill of their partner, not a rigid corporate structure of predefined tasks and responsibilities.
March 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Neo-Calvinist application of the institute and organism should look much more like a dance with a lead who supports the unique beauty and skill of their partner, not a rigid corporate structure of predefined tasks and responsibilities.
Reposted by Ben Hein
NEW Post | So, you’re worried about gentrification? Relax: you’re probably not the bad guy.
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
So, You're Worried About Gentrification?
Relax: You're probably not the bad guy.
benhein.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
NEW Post | So, you’re worried about gentrification? Relax: you’re probably not the bad guy.
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
NEW Post | So, you’re worried about gentrification? Relax: you’re probably not the bad guy.
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
So, You're Worried About Gentrification?
Relax: You're probably not the bad guy.
benhein.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
NEW Post | So, you’re worried about gentrification? Relax: you’re probably not the bad guy.
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
Someone is going to buy that new or renovated house, and it’s better for everyone if it’s someone who gives a damn.
benhein.substack.com/p/so-youre-w...
The best review I can give for LOTR: War of the Rohirrim is I have sat down to watch it twice and I only make it about 20 minutes before turning it off to go do something else.
a poster for the war of the rohirrim shows a dark background
ALT: a poster for the war of the rohirrim shows a dark background
media.tenor.com
March 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
The best review I can give for LOTR: War of the Rohirrim is I have sat down to watch it twice and I only make it about 20 minutes before turning it off to go do something else.
Both the wealthy and religious elite are here condemned in their lust for power.
Luke later demonstrated that the true church sees and protects those whom the powerful oppress (Acts 6).
Luke later demonstrated that the true church sees and protects those whom the powerful oppress (Acts 6).
Luke 21:1-4 is an example of a text that has suffered from a long tradition of poor interpretation. The widow is not an exemplary giver, she is a victim of exemplary injustice. She is an illustration of a vulnerable one whose house is being devoured (20:47) by an exploitative religious system.
March 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Both the wealthy and religious elite are here condemned in their lust for power.
Luke later demonstrated that the true church sees and protects those whom the powerful oppress (Acts 6).
Luke later demonstrated that the true church sees and protects those whom the powerful oppress (Acts 6).
Luke 21:1-4 is an example of a text that has suffered from a long tradition of poor interpretation. The widow is not an exemplary giver, she is a victim of exemplary injustice. She is an illustration of a vulnerable one whose house is being devoured (20:47) by an exploitative religious system.
March 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Luke 21:1-4 is an example of a text that has suffered from a long tradition of poor interpretation. The widow is not an exemplary giver, she is a victim of exemplary injustice. She is an illustration of a vulnerable one whose house is being devoured (20:47) by an exploitative religious system.
The sinful inequality in people’s lot in life offends Jesus, and his wrath is ignited at the hardness of those who have.
Abraham Kuyper, Christ and the Needy
Abraham Kuyper, Christ and the Needy
March 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The sinful inequality in people’s lot in life offends Jesus, and his wrath is ignited at the hardness of those who have.
Abraham Kuyper, Christ and the Needy
Abraham Kuyper, Christ and the Needy
Everywhere and at all times, the love ethic of Jesus is a radiant light revealing the ugliness of our stale conformity.
Dr. King, "Transformed Noncomformist"
Dr. King, "Transformed Noncomformist"
March 16, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Everywhere and at all times, the love ethic of Jesus is a radiant light revealing the ugliness of our stale conformity.
Dr. King, "Transformed Noncomformist"
Dr. King, "Transformed Noncomformist"
Truly just theologies and ecclesiologies must be done in proximity to the poor and marginalized. Theories, ideologies, or statements on social media from a distance will not do.
Such work must be done with the poor flowing out of deep relationships and daily realities.
Such work must be done with the poor flowing out of deep relationships and daily realities.
March 16, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Truly just theologies and ecclesiologies must be done in proximity to the poor and marginalized. Theories, ideologies, or statements on social media from a distance will not do.
Such work must be done with the poor flowing out of deep relationships and daily realities.
Such work must be done with the poor flowing out of deep relationships and daily realities.
According to property records, of the 30 or so houses on the street behind me, about 12 are owned by a large property management company, 10 are owned by 3 different churches, & 4 by a private landlord.
Conversations on gentrification/affordable housing need to include all these parties.
Conversations on gentrification/affordable housing need to include all these parties.
March 16, 2025 at 12:46 AM
According to property records, of the 30 or so houses on the street behind me, about 12 are owned by a large property management company, 10 are owned by 3 different churches, & 4 by a private landlord.
Conversations on gentrification/affordable housing need to include all these parties.
Conversations on gentrification/affordable housing need to include all these parties.
Reposted by Ben Hein
NEW Post | The mourning bench is a terrible place without company.
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The Ministry of the Mourning Bench
No one can grieve alone for long.
benhein.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
NEW Post | The mourning bench is a terrible place without company.
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
NEW Post | The mourning bench is a terrible place without company.
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The Ministry of the Mourning Bench
No one can grieve alone for long.
benhein.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 5:29 PM
NEW Post | The mourning bench is a terrible place without company.
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The ministry of the mourning bench is sacred. I thank God for those who have sat on it with me.
I will keep my seat warm, ready to cry again with those whose hearts are looking for rest.
benhein.substack.com/p/the-minist...
The Reformed social ethic is as alien in its nature to the inflexibilities of conservative orthodoxy that does not take into account the evolution of human situations as it is to any revolutionary ethic that frees itself from the Word of God.
Biéler, 456
Biéler, 456
March 13, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The Reformed social ethic is as alien in its nature to the inflexibilities of conservative orthodoxy that does not take into account the evolution of human situations as it is to any revolutionary ethic that frees itself from the Word of God.
Biéler, 456
Biéler, 456
Biéler: OG Calvinism opposes the dangers and vices of capitalism “with absolute rigor”:
Calvin had never accepted the idea that economic and financial existence could have its own moral rules for Christians and be detached from God's loving and just plan for human beings,
Calvin had never accepted the idea that economic and financial existence could have its own moral rules for Christians and be detached from God's loving and just plan for human beings,
March 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Biéler: OG Calvinism opposes the dangers and vices of capitalism “with absolute rigor”:
Calvin had never accepted the idea that economic and financial existence could have its own moral rules for Christians and be detached from God's loving and just plan for human beings,
Calvin had never accepted the idea that economic and financial existence could have its own moral rules for Christians and be detached from God's loving and just plan for human beings,
It is a common principle of justice which extends to all nations and to all ages that we should keep ourselves from plundering and devouring the poor who are in distress and want.
John Calvin, Psalm 15:5
John Calvin, Psalm 15:5
March 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
It is a common principle of justice which extends to all nations and to all ages that we should keep ourselves from plundering and devouring the poor who are in distress and want.
John Calvin, Psalm 15:5
John Calvin, Psalm 15:5
Those who have abundance do not enjoy their possessions as they ought unless they communicate them to the poor for the relief of their poverty.
John Calvin, Exodus 22:25
John Calvin, Exodus 22:25
March 12, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Those who have abundance do not enjoy their possessions as they ought unless they communicate them to the poor for the relief of their poverty.
John Calvin, Exodus 22:25
John Calvin, Exodus 22:25
Those who roar like a lion behind the keyboard but hardly squawk in their neighborhood do not yet know bravery or courage.
March 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Those who roar like a lion behind the keyboard but hardly squawk in their neighborhood do not yet know bravery or courage.
God wants me to serve my neighbors and not to be useless to them. So I would be a monster and challenging God if I could not devote myself to serve my neighbors as God has given me the means to do so.
John Calvin, Sermon XIII on 1 Corinthians 11-16
John Calvin, Sermon XIII on 1 Corinthians 11-16
March 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
God wants me to serve my neighbors and not to be useless to them. So I would be a monster and challenging God if I could not devote myself to serve my neighbors as God has given me the means to do so.
John Calvin, Sermon XIII on 1 Corinthians 11-16
John Calvin, Sermon XIII on 1 Corinthians 11-16
He who knows how to take in cleverly the simple & oppress the poor by treachery is deemed the smarter. Since the world boats of vices as if they were virtues, & thus freely all excuse themselves in sin, God wipes away all this gloss, when he pronounced all unjust means of gain to be so many thefts.
March 10, 2025 at 1:23 AM
He who knows how to take in cleverly the simple & oppress the poor by treachery is deemed the smarter. Since the world boats of vices as if they were virtues, & thus freely all excuse themselves in sin, God wipes away all this gloss, when he pronounced all unjust means of gain to be so many thefts.
Calvinism gets a bad rap for the “cage stage” many new adherents adopt. But there are countless cage stages people experience today: new politics, new sexuality, new denomination, exvangelical, evangelical, you name it.
March 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Calvinism gets a bad rap for the “cage stage” many new adherents adopt. But there are countless cage stages people experience today: new politics, new sexuality, new denomination, exvangelical, evangelical, you name it.