Featured Posts
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Sorrow Like My Sorrow – Lamentations 1:12
Can we really understand the suffering of another person or they ours?
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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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Every Christian a Theologian – an Equivocation
I am not a theologian. On the occasions when I say this I have an important reason for saying so. Not infrequently, I thus make myself the target of a quote from Karl Barth: Therefore, every Christian as such is also called to be a theologian. It is interesting that nobody has ever quoted the…
Book Note: Citadel
I’ve enjoyed previous books by John Ringo, especially the Prince Roger series, so when I saw this book at my local public library I grabbed it and read. Of course, I was jumping into the middle of a series, which is generally a bad idea, but that happens to me quite often. The book starts…
Christianity and Insanity
A couple of days ago downtown I passed a church sign, and in the changeable portion of the sign it read: Revival! | Thursday Night | 7 pm. Now that’s a common enough sign on churches these days. Many churches have a tradition of an annual revival. At the same time each year an outside…
Someone Else Thinks Seminaries are in Trouble
… but his solution is very different from mine. I think the idea that the current concept of a university will survive is a pipe dream. The cost is going to force education to change. Face to face education will be needed, but the form is going to change. (HT: John Meunier.)
The Art of Not Waging War
As we become involved in the conflict in Lybia, I’ve been reflecting on the American strategy–or lack thereof–in foreign policy. To the extent that we have such a strategy it appears to be big on expenses on low on good results. I’m not a pacifist, and I certainly won’t object to seeing Gaddafi out of…
Chosen?
I like this take on the word chosen.
Clayboy on Bell and Hell
He makes some random observations.
Herold Weiss on Genesis 2:4b – 4:26
Herold Weiss is continuing his series on the doctrine of creation in the Bible with a discussion of sources and how this passage might enlighten our understanding. The entire series has been extremely interesting and has generated some serious (and some not so serious) discussion. (Note: I am publisher of Herold Weiss’s new book Finding…
On Risk – Quote of the Day
From Allan Bevere: … no human being is entitled to a risk free existence. The entire article is worth a read.
Evolution and Continuous Upward Progress
Peter Kirk has written a post titled The Gospel is not incompatible with theistic evolution, in which he responds to an article by Dr. David Shackelford. Peter’s response covers most of the ground. I wanted to add something here, however, regarding “continuous upward progress,” which Dr. Shackelford, as quoted by Peter, says is “demanded” by…
Quote of the Day
From Brian McLaren: “We are suffering the consequences of our idolatry. Our motto ‘In God We Trust’ is printed right on the front of the God in which we trust.”
Observing Lent
Despite this, I’m observing Lent.
Inspired (or not so much inspired) Interpretations
Tony Breeden has taken Joel Watts to task over his understanding of Genesis and origins. As if frequently the case with such discussions, Breeden has mistaken his own interpretation for “what the Bible actually says.” It’s “disagree with me, deny the Bible.” Joel responds rather well, I think, using some excellent scriptures. I suggest that…
Michael Patton on the Best Bible Version
I’m glad to see this, though I do disagree with a few points. First, I don’t agree that using a formal equivalence translation means you are closer to the original. You are closer in some ways–reflecting the words and structure of the original language–yet you are often further in other ways, including reflecting the thought….
Ash Wednesday 1A – Psalm 51
I wrote a blog post some time back with an outline I made from Psalm 51, along with links to a pamphlet that discusses repentance.
Ash Wednesday 1A – 2 Corinthians 5:21
The whole passage (2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10) is great, but I’m just going to link to a few notes I’ve written on the key verse in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Wright and Piper on 2 Corinthians 5:21 English and Greek Ambiguity – 2 Corinthians 5:21 Becoming Righteous and Becoming Rich Righteousness of God Redux The way you…
Lent 1A: Psalm 32 and Repentance
This is just a very short note with a link. I’d like to tie the repentance described in Psalm 32 to Leviticus 6 (5 in Hebrew). I wrote about that previously on my Participatory Bible Study Blog. This passage describes the priestly doctrine of repentance.
So Wrong Divine Intervention is Required
In my recent reading from the book of Job I came across the following from Zophar. I’ll quote just a bit: “Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified? Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed? For you…
I Get Latin Books
A member of my Sunday School class gave me a Latin grammar and dictionary. Is this a sign from God that I should revive my Latin?
Populating Hell
… is not really my business. I recall one of my college professors who said that it was very liberating for him when he realized that it was not his responsibility to figure out who was going to be saved and who wasn’t. That’s basically my position. I tend to apply 1 Corinthians 2:9 (eye…
Motorists Detained for Paying Toll with Large Bills
… like $20, according to this story. Now the story brings up interesting issues of profiling, and whether toll station workers were legally permitted to detain anyone. I think those are good questions. The Florida DOT’s coverup should also be investigated. But here’s something that got me: Although FDOT refused to comment because the Department…
When Will Teachers Sacrifice like Wall Street Execs?
A very funny clip from The Daily Show: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Crisis in Dairyland – For Richer and Poorer – Teachers and Wall Street www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook I would normally have a serious problem…
Lent 1A – Theme
Well, I’m back again on one of my irregular forays into lectionary blogging. I hope visitors in the meantime have found value in the links to other people’s lectionary blogging found in my sidebar. It’s not hard to find a theme in this week’s lectionary texts, nor to imagine why those are the texts for…
Do You Need Biblical Languages to Understand the Bible?
Rod Decker presents a quote in which a famous person suggests you do. Well, sort of. Really he seems to be suggesting that it’s much, much better if you understand the biblical languages. I’ll let you go read the original post to get the quote and find out who wrote it. I’ve written on this…