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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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The Real War on Christmas
I received an e-mail from the AFA giving me the wonderful news that the governor of Kentucky has backed down on calling the Christmas tree in the state capitol a “holiday tree” and will call it a Christmas tree. In order to help this happen elsewhere, I’m told to buy packets of buttons, wear them,…
Seeing Things Differently
Reversal is a common theme in the teachings of Jesus. The poor are blessed? The persecuted are blessed? How silly is that? And today we have another reversal in our gospel passage (Mark 12:38-44). The widow who puts in two little coins that might, optimistically, add up to a penny, is the one who put…
How Not to Make Your Point
In his post next time, don’t invite the baptists, Bruce Alderman provides a link to a very unfortunate case in which a Lutheran pastor is put down by a local Baptist church because she is a woman. Let me note here that I am personally acquainted with Baptists who oppose women in pastoral ministry and…
Defining Inerrancy Yet Again
Johnny Esposito, a KJV-Only advocate, states in a recent article (HT: King James Only?) that the basic premise of Harold Lindsell’s book Battle for the Bible can be summarized as: When one questions the inerrancy of the Bible compromise is soon to follow When one changes their position on the Bible compromise in other areas…
Christian Carnival #301
… at Fish and Cans. Lots of interesting stuff.
A Note on Independent Voters
I’m sure it’s a requirement that political commentators try to discover trends in voting patterns. It’s also not surprising that they try to make those trends deal with either the Democratic or the Republican parties. But I think that they simply don’t comprehend the meaning of “independent.” I’m just one independent voter. I won’t register…
Of Apportionments and Stewardship
Bishop Willimon has a post about pastoral leadership and stewardship, with the particular aspect of stewardship being apportionments. I like the framing that goes on in our church, as apportionments are called “fair-share giving.” I know that sounds better, but I still call them apportionments. I think the general finding is unexceptional. Pastoral leadership has…
Idolatry of Apologetics
Todd C. Wood, a baraminologist (he studies “kinds” as in Genesis 1), has written an excellent post about how we Christians often make idols of our particular arguments (HT: The Austringer). Now as far as I can see, Dr. Wood and I would find ourselves on the opposite side of most debates about origins, but…
Interesting NRSV-ESV Gender Usage
The text is Psalm 127:3 – Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (NRSV) Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. (ESV) The KJV also reads “children.” I’m suspecting that the author of this Psalm was indeed talking about…
On Receiving Copies of Megabelt
It’s always great to receive cases of new books, and yesterday was no exception as our first copies of Megabelt arrived. I wrote earlier (Beware Friends Bearing Manuscripts) about receiving the manuscript for this little book. Since then we have done considerable work with it, produced what I think is a truly unique and creative…
Blogging Contest about the Church
My company, Energion Publications, is sponsoring a blogging contest, which provides you with the opportunity to win Barnes & Noble gift cards and books from Energion Publications for doing what you do anyhow – blogging! Entries are open until November 2, 2009, the day that Dave Black’s new book Christian Archy is released.
Is There a Problem with this Sign?
Does anyone other than me see a problem here? I will reassure you that the gate goes all the way across and so does the mountain of dirt. The only through traffic will be the road destruction equipment.
All Saints Day – Cycle B
Believe it or not, I do regularly read the weekly lectionary passages. Finding time to write about them is another matter. This week I’m going to start by providng some links to previous discussions of lectionary passages. First, I have a write-up on Isaiah 26 which discusses the structure of the entire chapter. I think…
Ben Witherington on Women in Ministry
Ben Witherington is taking on Biblical arguments against women in ministry in an article titles Why Arguments against Women in Ministry Aren’t Biblical. (HT: Dr. Platypus.) I personally find his first and second arguments quite good, while I tend to be less convinced by his arguments regarding the specific texts. It seems to me that…
Purpose of Discussion Section
Watch here for announcements related to this book and links to other information on the web related to the study of the book of Revelation.
Hebews 6:1-6 in Selected Translations
Polycarp is comparing God’s Word to the Nations with some other translations and has come to Hebrews 6:1-6. I must confess I prefer the way the NLT translates this passage, but GW is not bad. I’ve written on the passage before: Hebrews 6:4-6: Can Those Who Fall Return? and then St. John Chrysostom on Hebrews…
Totally Dependent
I’m the guest blogger at Grace Through the Desert today with a post entitled You are Totally Dependent based on Ephesians 2:8-10 and a few others scriptures, especially my favorite Psalm 104.
Christian Carnival CCXCIX Posted
… at The Minority Thinker.
Ed Brayton on Fox News Bashing
… here, and for the most part I agree with him. I think there is a certain justification for media bashing, simply because journalists keep expecting us to regard them as unbiased when they are not. But the bashing isn’t unbiased either … and so on ad infinitum. One of the key skills required today,…
Welcome 32 New Planets to the Known Universe
They were obviously there before, but they’re more important because we know about them. I do love this sort of discovery. (See Greg Laden’s Blog for more.)
Facing Detours
Having made plenty of detours in both my physical and spiritual life, I really appreciated this post from Pen of the Wayfarer.
If You Don’t Know Greek and Hebrew
… you don’t know Greek and Hebrew, and there are certain things you cannot do, like, well, reading Greek and Hebrew. I don’t think this means you can’t read the Bible, or that your opinions don’t matter, but it’s a simple fact. When people pretend to know the Biblical languages, as they often do using…
Halloween Book Burning and Barbecue
OK, I’m very late on this one and you can find much more information at The Church of Jesus Christ where Polycarp has been following it. Here’s the video: I should, but can’t, resist posting my own YouTube video beside this one: Why I Hate the KJV: I guess you can tell what I think.
Of Church Signs and Breaking Legs
I’m currently working on the final stages in the release process on two books, one of which is titled Megabelt (the other is Christian Archy by David Alan Black, but it doesn’t feature in this post), and is a fictional account of life in the Bible belt. The lead character, Gil, doesn’t much like the…