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As Long as They’re Not Saying Anything

. . . why should I listen? This story from MSNBC discusses how Fred Thompson upstaged the Republican debate. Since I’m an independent, these debates are generally of limited interest to me, though I do like to follow the candidates so as to have prior knowledge about the nominees. What surprised me here was that…

The Week in Church History

Levellers has a number of interesting events and people. I linked simply because of two people: Thomas Coke, who was consecrated “bishop” by John Wesley, 9/2/1784, and J. R. R. Tolkien who died 9/2/1973. I’m pretty sure the two events unrelated, other than by the fact that I appreciate both men.

Which Paradigm to Check

David Lang has written an interesting post at Better Bibles dealing with the complementarian/egalitarian debate. Readers of this blog will realize that I’m not terribly moderate on this particular issue–I’m passionately egalitarian. David does make a good point about polarizing arguments, however: . . . In the process of trying to persuade those who disagree…

Genesis 10: The Table of Nations

Genesis 10 is one of those chapters that Bible students often try to avoid, because it is filled with names that are difficult to pronounce, and it’s hard for our modern ears to hear it as anything other than an interruption. But to the redactor of Genesis, these genealogies were serious business. Genesis 5 provides…

Larry Craig, Family Values, and Hypocrisy

I generally try to avoid scandal stories about celebrities, though I’m much more often tempted to read, listen, and comment when they involve political figures. Listening to the arrest interview tape of Senator Larry Craig was an interesting experience. I was immediately struck by how naive I am at age 50. None of the conversation…

Bible Translation and Fundamentalism from a Wesleyan Perspective

Dennis Bratcher, of the Christian Resource Institute, has an exceptionally good article on neo-fundamentalism, with a focus on the TNIV and Bible translation, looking particularly from the Wesleyan tradition. (He is Nazarene). There has been a frequent tendency amongst Wesleyans to borrow theology from the Calvinists, but not to go as far on certain points….

Pivar Suit Against PZ Myers Withdrawn

According to Ed Brayton (Dispatches from the Culture Wars), the suit has been withdrawn. Brayton also makes a number of remarks on this that are totally on point. I agree with him completely as to the nature of the suit and the characters involved. My previous comments were here. PZ’s very own commentary is here….

Notes on Mark 12:41-44

Translation and Notes These notes relate to and expand on my podcast Seeing Stewardship as God Sees It. 41And he sat down by the treasury, and he was watching how the crowd threw money into the contribution box. And many rich people threw in lots! Treasury . . . is apparently the hall named from…

Notes on Mark 12:34-40

Translation and Notes The notes below relate to and expand my podcast Jesus Strikes Back. 35In response Jesus began to teach in the temple this way: “How is it that the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36David said by the Holy Spirit, The Lord said to my lord Sit at…