Featured Posts
-
Sorrow Like My Sorrow – Lamentations 1:12
Can we really understand the suffering of another person or they ours?
-
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
Defining Christian
Adrian Warnock recently wrote a post on defining what is a Christian. I commented on that post, and largely had no problem with it. I’m looking forward to Adrian’s definition of an evangelical. Now Dave Warnock (no relation that I know of) has written a post critical of Adrian’s effort. Since I usually agree with…
October 22 and Eschatology
October 22 probably doesn’t mean much to most of my readers, but for someone who grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), it has great significance. It was on October 22, 1844 that early Adventists (before they were Seventh-day Adventists) expected Jesus to return. It was actually the second time they had expected that. first…
Seismologists Guilty of Manslaughter
An Italian court has rendered what has to be on the top ten list of stupidest rulings in history in finding six scientists and government official guilty of manslaughter for being too reassuring prior to an earthquake (Source: MSNBC). Scientists around the world are condemning the verdict, as well they should. This illustrates the widespread…
In the Mail: Dreams from My Real Father
It’s a DVD of the movie. No, I didn’t buy it and I didn’t order it. I already read enough about it to know I have no interest in its paranoid ramblings. It came in my mailbox with a presort mail label, addressed to me by name, and my wife didn’t get one, so I…
What Dennis Venema Would Like to Hear a Young Earth Creationist Say
I think this post at BioLogos makes some important points. Besides, Dennis Venema does some excellent writing (not in this post, it’s about him).
Removing Mormons from the Cult List
There’s something deeply troubling about the decision by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to remove Mormons from the list of cults on their web site. My concern is not with failing to list any particular group as a cult. In fact, as commonly used in Christian apologetics, I don’t think the label or lists of…
Third Party Debate
I didn’t watch the debates with the major candidates, but I’m interested in the Third Party Debate for the same reason I’m registered independent. I don’t think the two party system is a good idea. Hopefully I’ll be able to watch this. Don’t make the assumption that I will vote third party, however. Sometimes it…
Psalm 104 in Proper 24B
Of course, I must bring forth my graduate school paper on Psalm 104 whenever it’s in the lectionary. I’ll also make my standard complaint. I’ll never be happy with parts of a Psalm. Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c? That’s tearing apart a highly structured and beautiful piece of poetry. Take the time to read the whole…
Bruce Epperly on Proper 24B
I’m currently checking over the proofs for Bruce Epperly’s new book Healing Marks before they go to the author for his approval. Bruce provides a truly challenging approach to scripture and theology. His comments on Proper 24B, especially dealing with the relationship between love and omnipotence, will enhance your understanding of these passages, I believe….
Biblical Numerology and Texts without Context Gone Berserk
… and that title may be too soft. Nonetheless those with a sense of humor should get a few good laughs from this. One keeps hoping it’s a spoof, but it doesn’t appear to be. This is so not what Revelation is about!
On Hebrews 5:1-10 and Prayer
I’m going to do something I almost never do on any of my blogs—re-post. But first a few comments. Hebrews 5:1-10 is the epistle lesson from this week’s lectionary. Hebrews has always held a special place in my heart (my study guide on it), because it is such beautiful prose bringing a very deep message….
Not Only a Father
Tim Bulkeley is trying to generate some discussion of his book Not Only a Father. I’m a little late to the game, as many other bloggers have already linked, but I’ve been busy trying to shepherd six books through the release process. But though late, here I am. There are two things that excite me…
Is the Church Dead?
This blogger thinks so. I think he has a point.
Earth from Space at Night
Wow! (HT: The Agitator)
By the Way, It’s Not a Debate
It just isn’t. It’s not even a very good joint news conference.
What Could Be More Dangerous than Liberalism?
If you let your eyes wander up to the header you’ll see that my tag line includes the word “liberal” and not in a negative light. I’ve even written about being a liberal charismatic believer. So if you’re wondering how I can use both labels at once, follow the link. But in certain circles, “liberals”…
A Note on Hebrews 1:3 (Orthodox Study Bible)
I’ve said enough negative things about the Orthodox Study Bible that I need to mention when I find it quite helpful as well. Generally, this is when it is either quoting or referring to various church fathers. In the note on Hebrew 1:3a, “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of…
Ephesians 3 in The Voice
Well, I continue to read The Voice and it continues to annoy me. But first let me note that in reading Ephesians 3 I don’t find anything that will lead you astray in your understanding of the chapter. In many cases the material in italics just seems unnecessary. In other words, the translators have already…
Biblical Studies Carnival Posted
… at Sansblogue, and an excellent and fun carnival it is. It even includes a link to this very blog, which is unusual for the Biblical Studies Carnival.
Ephesians 2: The Radical Nature of the Gospel
As I’ve been reading this passage repeatedly this week, I have been repeatedly struck by the radical nature of what Paul is saying here. I’m surprised we don’t spend more time on it, because it seems to me to clarify many things that are left unclear in Galatians and Romans. Of course, considering the discussion…
Rachel Held Evans, Owen Strachan, and Adrian Warnock Went on a Radio Show
It wasn’t as funny as if they’d gone into a bar, but it was considerably more enlightening. It might appear that having two complementarians against one egalitarian was unfair, but Rachel clearly had no problem with the format, and the host pointed out that, though he was playing neutral moderator, he was more inclined to…
Bleeding Heart Libertarians and Austrian Economics
I found this video enlightening. I like to note that I read von Mises before I met (encountered her writings) Rand. Rand is a cultural phenomenon, but von Mises is a deep thinker. In any case, this is an interesting interview. The more libertarians pay attention to this, the better, in my view. I’m a…
UMC Pastoral Accountability: What About Bishops?
United Methodist Insight led me to Jeremy Smith’s article, Defeating the Dark Side of Church Metrics. I recommend the second link because of comments. Since one commenter talks about people who oppose accountability but who receive their paycheck from the church, let me note that I am a United Methodist layman, and I do not…
No to Blasphemy Trials
I agree with Joel Watts. Christians must protest this charge of blasphemy against a Muslim for desecrating a Bible. Blasphemy laws, no matter which way they are targeted, are not good.