Featured Posts
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
Social Notes (see all)
All Posts
Mixed Emotions about Sweden
I read this news article from Sweden with mixed emotions (HT: Panda’s Thumb). My first reaction is negative. Since these schools are faith based, it seems appropriate to me that they teach from the perspective of the faith involved in sponsoring the school. I relate this to my own experience being home schooled and being…
Holy Heteroclite Playing Word Games
Why don’t you join him? The post is “I wanted to know Jesus, but you gave me a library”. It sounds like fun.
Predicting Hillary Derangement Syndrome
Jeremy Pierce is predicting that if [tag]Hillary Clinton[/tag] wins the presidency, some folks, particularly evangelical Christians, will be subject to Hillary Derangement Syndrome (HT: evangelical outpost). His note reminded me of a political science professor from whom I took a few classes. He would regularly tell us that if we felt that our lives would…
Sunday Afternoon Evolution Notes and Links
I’ve been reading a number of really good posts on the creation, evolution, and intelligent design, but I only have a very small amount to say about each one, so I’m going to combine them into a post. The first is from An Evangelical Dialogue on Evolution, and is titled Does Evolution lead to Moral…
My Previous Looks at 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Since the texts for Proper 24C / Ordinary 29C / Pentecost +21 (October 21, 2007) include 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, which in turn includes 2 Timothy 3:16-17 on which I have written a considerable amount before I thought I’d simply provide links to some earlier material. First, there are two key articles on my Threads blog,…
Translation, Exposition, and Communication
Yes! I have found another pretentious title for a relatively simple post! I’ve been following the discussion around the blogosphere about literary translation, which has involved any number of blogs. I’ve been too busy to write about it. I was about to start last night, and then Doug at Metacatholic said part of what I…
Getting the Humor of the Story
OK, this post discussing daily [tag]lectionary[/tag] readings and particularly the story of Peter being released from prison (Acts 12), is just too good not to link. This retelling just gets the feel of the story, I think, and the humor of the situation, and like Jenn says, the “lectionary dudes” had fun putting it all…
For Thinking Women of Faith
. . . oh, and pardon me for stopping by to read and enjoying the blog! (HT: 42) For a break from white male Christianity, try Renita Weems’ blog Something Within, subtitled “For Thinking Women of Faith about matters of church, race, gender, sex, values, culture, justice, spirituality, and, oh yeah, God.” I particularly enjoyed…
The Potential of Secrecy without Accountability
I don’t know if the claims made by this CEO according to the Washington Post are true or not, but I suggest we would do well to give them due consideration. First, do you regard this kind of activity as impossible? Is it unlikely that the executive branch of the government would do such things?…
Responding to Richard Dawkins
There’s still a good bit of discussion of Richard Dawkins around the blogosphere, focusing on <a href=”The God Delusion, though not exclusively. This morning I encountered a post by The Christian Cynic that gives an interesting response to one point, and also lets me know that the Christian Cynic is posting again. The point to…
Wrap-up on the Jena 6
I was going to do a bit of a wrap up on my comments on the [tag]Jena 6[/tag] even though I haven’t yet had the time to read all of the documents that were provided by Laura Curtis. She has, however, and has written a wrap-up. She’s already said what I wanted to say, and…
Christian Carnival #193
. . . has been posted at Lingamish. Good job, pretty pictures, interesting stuff, nuff said!
Executive Accountability Loophole
. . . through which one could easily drive a complete tyranny. MSNBC.com reports: The Supreme Court on Tuesday terminated a lawsuit from a man who claims he was abducted and tortured by the CIA, effectively endorsing Bush administration arguments that state secrets would be revealed if the case were allowed to proceed. Read the…
What I Want for Election Day – A Counter-Terror Strategy
It’s getting within a quarter or so of the first votes, so I thought I’d put in a few posts on what I, as a self-proclaimed moderate independent want for election day. I have to note that it doesn’t look thus far like I’m going to get it, but one can always wish, no? The…
George Bush and God Concepts
A number of folks around the internet have gotten pretty worked up about [tag]George Bush[/tag]’s comment to an Al Arabiya reporter in an interview that he believes Muslims and Christians worship the same God. Here’s an extract (source: www.whitehouse.gov): Well, first of all, I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the…
Dawkins and the Jewish Lobby
Ah, that’s a provocative title, isn’t it? [tag]Richard Dawkins[/tag] is setting up an organization to help lobby for atheists. Despite my many serious disagreements with him, I don’t think that’s a bad idea, because atheists are viewed very negatively, and I think unfairly so. In fact, in many ways Dawkins himself is unfairly viewed in…
Race and the Legal System: A Perspective Check
As I have blogged occasionally about the [tag]Jena 6[/tag] I have been reminded of the very different perspectives that different people have on issues such as this. For white residents of Jena, a common theme has been the defense of their community, pointing out that they are not bad people, that they have a good…
Bread and Wine of Luke 17:5-10
I know this is late for those preaching from the lectionary, but through my Technorati watch on the tag [tag]lectionary[/tag], I found this post on Bread and Wine. I think the post helps clarify the passage very well. With reference to God’s laws, I would add that in general what God has told us to…
Psalm 137 around the Web
I have a tendency to get caught up in an idea. When I started adding a lectionary tag to posts that I thought were relevant to upcoming lectionary readings my intention was to simply tag things I was going to write anyhow, and also to encourage myself to write a little bit more about my…
The Human Face of Scripture
Psalm 137 came up in the lectionary for this week. Now there was a time when we would get this Psalm at least with the final verse left out. That verse reads “Blessed is the one who seizes your little ones and dashes them against a rock.” One should understand, of course, that this was…
Random Interesting Links 10/5/07
Here are a few links to stuff that caught my attention, but won’t be getting more comment from me. Don’t miss this picture I think that Joe Carter is way too worked up over this. It’s a pin, after all. I’d take mine off, but then I’ve never worn one. Peter Kirk reports on some…
Lectionary Category
I have added a category “Lectionary” to all the (relevant) blogs to which I contribute. That includes my big three (see the sidebar) along with a couple of group blogs, one merely shared with my wife. Some years ago before I had a blog I tried to keep up with creating a new page each…
Suggest BOTH of them Resign
Senator [tag]Larry Craig[/tag] says he won’t resign even though his attempt to withdraw his guilty plea failed. It seems that some Republicans are afraid that if they urge Senator Craig to resign, it will appear that they are discriminating–what about Senator [tag]David Vitter[/tag]? The Idaho Republican’s decision gives his GOP colleagues two unpleasant choices. They…