Reversal is a common theme in the teachings of Jesus. The poor are blessed? The persecuted are blessed? How silly is that? And today we have another reversal in our gospel passage (Mark 12:38-44). The widow who puts in two little coins that might, optimistically, add up to a penny, is the one who put…
In his post next time, don’t invite the baptists, Bruce Alderman provides a link to a very unfortunate case in which a Lutheran pastor is put down by a local Baptist church because she is a woman. Let me note here that I am personally acquainted with Baptists who oppose women in pastoral ministry and…
Johnny Esposito, a KJV-Only advocate, states in a recent article (HT: King James Only?) that the basic premise of Harold Lindsell’s book Battle for the Bible can be summarized as: When one questions the inerrancy of the Bible compromise is soon to follow When one changes their position on the Bible compromise in other areas…
… at Fish and Cans. Lots of interesting stuff.
I’m sure it’s a requirement that political commentators try to discover trends in voting patterns. It’s also not surprising that they try to make those trends deal with either the Democratic or the Republican parties. But I think that they simply don’t comprehend the meaning of “independent.” I’m just one independent voter. I won’t register…
Bishop Willimon has a post about pastoral leadership and stewardship, with the particular aspect of stewardship being apportionments. I like the framing that goes on in our church, as apportionments are called “fair-share giving.” I know that sounds better, but I still call them apportionments. I think the general finding is unexceptional. Pastoral leadership has…
Todd C. Wood, a baraminologist (he studies “kinds” as in Genesis 1), has written an excellent post about how we Christians often make idols of our particular arguments (HT: The Austringer). Now as far as I can see, Dr. Wood and I would find ourselves on the opposite side of most debates about origins, but…
The text is Psalm 127:3 – Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (NRSV) Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (ESV) The KJV also reads “children.” I’m suspecting that the author of this Psalm was indeed talking about…
It’s always great to receive cases of new books, and yesterday was no exception as our first copies of Megabelt arrived. I wrote earlier (Beware Friends Bearing Manuscripts) about receiving the manuscript for this little book. Since then we have done considerable work with it, produced what I think is a truly unique and creative…
My company, Energion Publications, is sponsoring a blogging contest, which provides you with the opportunity to win Barnes & Noble gift cards and books from Energion Publications for doing what you do anyhow – blogging! Entries are open until November 2, 2009, the day that Dave Black’s new book Christian Archy is released.