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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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Interesting Florida County Statistics
I have been neglecting to post much on the Florida science standards issue lately. One interesting study looks at the FCAT scores for students in counties supporting and opposing the standards. You can find the article here. Be sure to keep up with the action via the Florida Citizens for Science Blog. Speaking of Florida…
The Value of REB Eccentricity
Or perhaps I should say REB uniqueness. One of the major reasons for using multiple Bible versions when studying the Bible in English (or any other language other than the originals) is to make yourself aware of alternate translations for particular passages. This goes beyond different ways of expressing the thought in English, to places…
Christian Carnival #211 Posted
. . . at Brain Cramps for God. (Now why can’t I think of cool names for a blog like that!)
A Desire to Please and a Fear to Offend – Psalm 95
Matthew Henry, in commenting on Psalm 95 says that “[t]his psalm must be sung with a holy reverence of God’s majesty and a dread of his justice, with a desire to please him and a fear to offend him.” I’m wondering just how that was derived from this Psalm. I don’t doubt that there we…
Ethics of Lotteries vs Casinos
I live in Florida where we have a lottery that is supposed to provide money for education. At the same time we have a strong resistance to allowing casino gambling. Now I’m not a gambler, and don’t recommend it. Some do it for entertainment, and I don’t have a problem with that. For me it…
Exodus 17:1-7 – In and Out of Trouble
I provide some devotional thoughts (not particularly exegetical!) that I gleaned from this passage in my post today for my wife’s devotional list.
Al Mohler Advises on Educating Your Kids
Through a Glass Darkly expresses appreciation for Al Mohler’s advice on educating his kids. Well, maybe not so much! 🙂
On Being a Stepfather
I was pleased to find a report on MSNBC.com on titled It’s tough being a stepdad. In my experience stepparents are often underrated, and do not receive much consideration. The stories we hear tend to be negative–when stepparents fail, as often we do. You see, I am a stepfather. I got married late in life…
Obama Campaign and Race
I think Barack Obama has done a good job of keeping his campaign from being about race. I’m certain this hasn’t been easy. In reading this article from MSNBC.com I was struck that apparently the commentators are holding his campaign to a standard of perfection. In my view, whether he wins in the end or…
New Poll – Why Do You Read the Bible?
I’ve replaced my poll on Origen with a new one, this time asking what reason causes you to spend the most time reading the Bible. I’m interested in the results. In my personal experience I have heard people express all of these reasons. You’ll find the poll in the right sidebar.
Origen and Bible Censorship Poll Results
You can see the poll results here if you haven’t done so already. I’m going to replace the poll with a new one. I posted this poll after reading Origen’s comment that immature Christians should not be permitted to read certain passages of scripture, especially the Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon). I found…
Roundup Florida Science Standards
Wesley Elsberry has provided a roundup of his posts on the Florida science standards. Note that the vote on these will be February 19.
Am I a Darwinian?
I spent Saturday, February 9, traveling to/from or in Tallahassee. I was there to attend the annual meeting of Florida Citizens for Science, and also to take in some Darwin Day speakers at the FSU Medical School. I was able to work in Dr. Harry Kroto and Dr. Eugenie Scott (National Center for Science Education),…
Not Through the Law: Romans 4:13
One of the major elements of the new perspectives on Paul is the changing view of justification. In a broad sense, one could say that justification involves not a moment of personal salvation, but rather a moment of incorporation into a broad community, known as the people of God, kingdom of God, or the body…
Colgate Cares Giving Child Fun Center
Colgate Cares will give one fun center to a hospital and they are inviting votes as to where it will go. Many of my readers know that in 2004 we lost our 17 year old son James to cancer after a five year battle. Each year our son John Webb, supported by the rest of…
Genealogy Problems
A few weeks ago someone asked me to post my college paper on the genealogies of Genesis 5 & 11. This was the paper that started me on the road away from young earth creationism. It is actually not very earthshattering, but it did start my thinking.
Frank Schaeffer for Obama
Read more on Levellers – Frank Schaeffer: “Why I Am a Pro-Life Obama Supporter”.
Some CJB Terminology in Romans
I did my lectionary reading today from the Complete Jewish Bible. Each day I read two sets of lectionary texts, one from the current week, and one from the week following. I try to choose a different version each day, and also read them at least once from the original languages. This week’s epistles passage…
CJB Detail Entry Updated
I have updated the entry for the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) in my Bible Version Selection Tool. This adds notes on the version, which were vanishingly brief before, and now it’s merely brief!
Review of Evidence for the Bible
I sent a free review copy of Elgin Hushbeck’s book Evidence for the Bible to Christopher Smith of Mild-Mannered Musings, and he has begun his review. It is fairly negative but is also very substantive, and it’s my policy to post a link to any substantive review, negative or positive. In fact, I will be…
Not Doing Evolution Sunday
Well, actually I am. Just not officially. First let me note that I was reminded that I needed to say something about this by a comment from Laura, who also provided this link to further information about the weekend. First, let me tell you what I am doing for evolution Sunday or Darwin Day. I’m…
Dobson is Lying
. . . or so says Ed Brayton on Dispatches from the Culture Wars. I’m not sure if he’s right, though I’m inclined to agree that many conservative leaders will back McCain, especially if Hillary Clinton is the democratic nominee. Ed’s post also brings up my largest concern with McCain–Supreme Court nominations. The conservatives are…
Turn off Rush Limbaugh and read Russell Kirk
So says Joe Carter. I once heard Russell Kirk speak, and I would say it’s good advice. (I date myself a bit there!) More importantly, not being conservative myself, let me suggest that liberals and moderates quit seeing all conservatives through the lens of the likes of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh. This would require…
Romney Suspending Campaign
The Washington Post is reporting that Mitt Romney will suspend his campaign, and announce it this afternoon in his speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee. I do love the detail of these “leaks.” According to the story, Romney will say: “This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family,…