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What Is Biblical Literacy?
We complain about it, write about it, claim it’s important or even critical, design programs to create it, but what is it? I don’t mean that none of us know what we mean when we say “biblically literate” or “biblically illiterate,” but do we all mean the same thing? I don’t think we do, and…
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Fences: Mending or Rending
The following is a sermon I presented at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Pensacola on September 11,2005 and originally posted here on September 13, 2005. I’m reposting it because when I went to look for it, I found that the original post had somehow been truncated, and also because there is a one word at a…
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Experiencing the (Baptism of the) Holy Spirit
This is a topic where I tend to make just about everyone uncomfortable. Long time readers may recall a previous discussion of speaking in tongues, and my own experience of it. Those who expect me to be intellectually oriented and rational are uncomfortable with mystical experiences, and many who are comfortable with the mystical experiences…
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Sanctuary – Lamentations 1:10
Most of us have a place we call a sanctuary, such as our home. Can we also be a sanctuary?
Future – Lamentations 1:9
Consider the future!
Despised – Lamentations 1:8
Glory can be empty and fleeting and turn to defeat and shame in a hurry.
Remembering – Lamentations 1:7
Memory can be pleasant or challenging, helpful or destructive. What is the most important thing to remember?
Pursued – Lamentations 1:6
There comes a time when running is useless, our strength spent, and we need a way back home.
A Cause – Lamentations 1:5
Sometimes sorrow and mourning is the most positive thing you can do.
Sacred Feasts – Lamentations 1:4
Perhaps if the assembly is empty of people there was something else missing well before it became empty.
No Resting Place – Lamentations 1:3
In order to have spiritual rest, we need to know our identity.
Alone – Lamentations 1:2
Those who lament are experiencing a deep loneliness, even in a church context where they should find comfort. It is important that the community support hose in sorrow. Christians should confront their own weaknesses rather than judge others, being honest in lamentation as a pathway to healing and understanding.
Deserted – Lamentations 1:1
Lamentation is important in order to be self-honest and honest with God, and not to pretend that things are better than they are or that we are better than we are.
The Importance of Studying Together
Church and Sunday School are two different activities. Both can be valuable in one’s Christian life, but they do not substitute for one another. Sunday School has generally been in decline over the last few years, but I think there’s something even more important. Sunday School has too often been a light review of scriptures,…
Mapping the Political Spectrum
My friend and Energion author Elgin Hushbeck and Larissa Munz (audiobook creator) recently spoke about the political spectrum and some of the difficulties with political labels in a two-part series on their podcast, Into the Desert. There are those who complain about labeling and wish to live in a world without labels. But communication requires…
Flying Words
My mother used to quote: Boys flying kites haul in their white-winged birds,But you can’t do that when you’re flying words. The poem is titled “Gossip” and the author is Will Carleton Some kind caress—some little petting ways—Commenced a-staying in on rainy days(I did not see’t so clear then, I’ll allow;But I can trace it…
Translating Puns
Dave Black’s intermediate Greek grammar, It’s Still Greek to Me, is scheduled to be translated into Arabic. One of the features of that grammar is some of the humorous headers that are English puns. Dave wonders how those will be handled in translation. Anyone have suggestions? (Only humorous suggestions need apply!) While I publish many…
Geoffrey Lentz on Wesleyan Bible Study
On Thursday I had the privilege of interviewing Rev. Geoffrey Lentz, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, regarding characteristics Bible study in the Wesleyan tradition. Geoffrey and I have known one another for many years, and authored a book, Learning and Living Scripture, which was published, well, a long time ago. As Geoffrey…
Reading Hebrew Poetry in English (Brief Edition)
As my Sunday School class is studying Proverbs, I thought I’d provide them with a bit of an explanation of Hebrew poetry. If you’re someone who reads Hebrew and has done any study of Hebrew poetry, this is not for you. Don’t bother to tell me about all the things I’m leaving out. I already…
Theodicy Again
Some time ago I did seven interviews on theodicy, or the problem of evil. One of the people I interviewed was Elgin Hushbeck. He and Larissa Munz now produce the Into the Desert podcast. They just released a video titled Christianity’s Biggest Problem, which I’ll embed below. The key value for this video is the…
The Limited Value of Debate
A challenge to immediate debate is a frequent feature of discussions–perhaps arguments!–in religion and politics. But is it a reliable way to get to a better answer? There are certainly points of value in open debate: In many political debates, these points are lost as rules of the debate are negotiated by each side hoping…
Wisdom – You’ve Got to Want It!
Wisdom is universally accessible but not always easy to attain. It requires active seeking and personal introspection, often confronting uncomfortable truths. While wisdom can be found in various forms, such as from experiences or knowledgeable individuals, the key lies in one’s willingness to embrace change and recognize personal fallibility.
Interview: A Day for Joy
Background As a former Seventh-day Adventist I often get interesting questions. These questions include how I could leave the one true church (from SDAs), or why would I publish books by SDAs (from those who consider Seventh-day Adventism a cult. From many on either side, I’m asked what were the reasons I left the Seventh-day…
Wisdom Has Questions
Wisdom cries aloud in the open air,and raises her voice in public places.21 She calls at the top of the bustling streets;at the approaches to the city gates she says:22 ‘How long will you simple fools be content with your simplicity? The Revised English Bible (Cambridge; New York; Melbourne; Madrid; Cape Town; Singapore; São Paulo;…
Dave Black Summits the Riffelhorn
I’ve been texting a bit with my friend Dave Black (also an Energion author) who is in the Swiss Alps at the moment. Today he told me he summited the Riffelhorn. I won’t say how old Dave is, but he is older than I am and has been providing an example for many of maintaining…
Starting a Study of Proverbs
The Sunday School class I co-teach is beginning a study of Proverbs. I’m not leading this one. I’m relaxing a bit, I hope. But I have indicated I’ll do a bit of blogging on the material. The assignment before the beginning of the study tomorrow was to read introductions to the book, both from the…
Strength in Weakness
But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for strength is made complete in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9a (my translation) This is one of the many passages I say are easy to preach, but not easy to practice. The problem with that line is that you may be preaching it wrong if…