Featured Posts
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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…
Social Notes (see all)
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My Continuing War on Study Bibles
Well, maybe not a war. I don’t really hate Bibles with study notes, and even recommend their use for appropriate purposes. They’re great for giving you background information, pointing out connections, and so forth. When they tell you what the text says, they are not so great. At a minimum, use more than one, and…
More on The Voice
I haven’t had time to read enough of The Voice to draw final conclusions, just to make observations. I do intend to continue reading and try to come up with some more precise and well-supported conclusions. The problem is that I find The Voice the most difficult mix of good and bad ideas I’ve ever encountered…
On Deepening Progressive Theology
As you can see in the header, I use the labels “passionate moderate” and “liberal charismatic.” The first is one I adopted myself, the second was bestowed on me by an enemy, who combined the two things he liked the least in order to describe me. Nonetheless, it has an element of truth. I even…
Proper B20 – Gutting another Passage
There are times when I understand why we select verses to read in the Lectionary, and there are times when I don’t. In this case, I don’t. We have James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a. I don’t see adequate reason not to read 3:13 – 4:10 as a whole, and if I were to preach/teach on this passage…
Proper B20 – The Proverbs 31 Woman
This passage has created quite a few problems over the years. There are women who feel really oppressed by it. Others feel this truly describes the perfect woman and try to get women (and girls) to live up to it. I encountered these various attitudes in a discussion group yesterday. My strong suggestion is to…
Such a Prayer – Jody’s Devotionals
I want to call attention to my wife’s excellent devotional on prayer.
ERB Review of The Voice
Since I’ve been making moderately negative comments about The Voice here on this blog, I’m going to link to a more favorable short review at Englewood Review of Books. Here’s the conclusion: In some of the introductory material, the editors (led by Chris Seay) note that “Too often, the passion, grit, humor and beauty have…
The Advantages of Extremism (John Cleese)
Just so! (HT: Exploring Our Matrix)
A Wife for Jesus?
Interesting Coptic Text. Be sure to read all the warnings in the article. One shouldn’t conclude this is historical evidence that Jesus had a wife. One should wait for further scholarly study. But it’s still a very interesting piece. The article also does a good job of qualifying the find.
Roman Letter of Recommendation
This letter is worth looking at for those interested in ancient letters, particularly Philemon.
Shoving God into a Box
There’s God in the Gaps and then there’s God in the Box. A great cartoon at Exploring Our Matrix.
Community vs Supporting the Organization
Miguel Angel Nuñez, in a post on Facebook, discusses what he would like to see in a church. Here’s an extract: Deseo formar parte de una comunidad cristiana que base su relación en la igualdad y no en la jerarquía, en la sinceridad y no en medias verdades, en la intimidad y no en un…
On UM Insight
I want to thank UM Insight for publishing a post from this blog, Defensive Christianity. It’s encouraging to have a post recognized and republished, and I appreciate what they do for the United Methodist Church.
Moving on to Ephesians
In The Way Sunday School class at First UMC Pensacola we just completed The Journey to the Undiscovered Country by William Powell Tuck. We used that book as an interlude between Philippians and the Ephesians study to follow. The entire class really appreciated the book and the discussions that resulted. Unlike some books you may…
Florida is Behind on Science Education
Brandon Haught, board member of Florida Citizens for Science has an opinion piece at the Orlando Sentinel on Florida’s science education. With the great need for people qualified in various fields of science, it’s distressing to know how poorly we’re doing as a state. Perhaps some of these measurement tools we’re using aren’t doing what…
Thinking about 9-11
I appreciated the contribution of Bob Cornwall, who calls on us to make this a time of building bridges. One of the most disastrous wounds that result from this event is the combination of our fear, anger, hatred, and desire for revenge. I don’t mean to diminish the impact of the evil act of hatred…
Weekly Communion
I’m delighted that my church, First United Methodist Church of Pensacola has started offering Holy Communion at all services. For several years this has been offered at the ICON service and at the 9:30 service, but was only offered monthly at the others. Now this will be consistent, and I think closer to the way…
Kitten vs Doberman
Enjoy!
Defensive Christianity
I’ve seen a great number of words from Christians here in America recently, some of them coming from Facebook or Twitter, some in blog posts, some in words spoken directly to me, or on Television or the Radio. I’m not going to cite specific sources, because I’m not writing about what some particular person said….
September 9 Christian Carnival is Coming
… to one of my other blogs, The Jevlir Caravansary, where I indulge in fiction and a bit of poetry. On September 9, however, I will indulge in links to Christian content around the blogosphere from the beginning of August to September 9. If you’d like your post included, or if you would like to…
Holding the Church Hostage
My quote of the day is from Ministry Matters: Peace and progress are incompatible. Author Dyton L. Owen also tells us when to let a church member go. Read the article!
Reading the Bible Chronologically
A number of bloggers have responded to Marcus Borg’s article at the Huffington Post on reading the New Testament chronologically. Responses include Gaudete Theology, Bill Heroman, and Philip J. Long. I’d suggest reading those responses before reading my few comments. Here are some points that struck me: Borg contends that there is a trajectory of…
On Christian Fiction and Covenant
In the early days of my company, Energion Publications, I tried to post some reflections immediately after each new book release. Things have gotten much busier, and I’m behind, but I still hope to publish reflections. Perhaps if I’m diligent, I can catch up! I want to make clear that this isn’t a review, nor…