A call to a new Reformation in the teaching and life of Jesus' followers
My brother Dave’s blog is primarily about economics, mine primarily about theology. But I have got to highlight to you guys, this post in which Dave quite properly calls out some of the ways in which church institutions seem to have forgotten which deity they ought to serve (Matt. 6:19-24). Churches sometimes talk a good game about justice, and even do great works for justice. … Continue reading God or Mammon?
There are perhaps deeper issues I should pursue first, but I’d like to take a look at a couple of highly symbolic elements of the kingdom, and how they aren’t commonly practiced in church, although perhaps they should be. First the element of sanctuary. We all know the word; until the more-hip “worship center” started taking hold in churches that didn’t want to sound too … Continue reading The Kingdom of Jesus Christ – of Sanctuary and Flag
I’ve just finished the book Roger Williams by historian Edwin S. Gaustad. Loaned to me by a friend from church, this brief book is an overview of the life and writings of the man who founded the colony of Rhode Island in the early 17th century. I recommend it to anyone who, like me, is frustrated by the frequent drumbeat among conservative Americans, as to … Continue reading Roger Williams – A patriot for the rest of us
Today I finished the book A Deadly Misunderstanding by Mark Siljander, and I vigorously recommend it. A former Republican congressman with impeccable conservative credentials, colleague of Newt Gingrich and the “Young Turks” of the Reagan Revolution, Mark was also a staunch conservative Evangelical Christian, solid supporter of Israel and opponent of communists and Muslims wherever they might be found. Challenged not long after an electoral … Continue reading Must-Read: Mark Siljander’s "A Deadly Misunderstanding"
A couple of friends have recently pointed me to The Manhattan Declaration with encouragement that I and other like-minded believers should sign on. I won’t be signing it, and I encourage my believing friends to think long and carefully about it too. The declaration purports to lay out three principals as particularly important for Christians to support, and to publicly advocate: the sanctity of human … Continue reading The Manhattan Declaration — I won’t be signing it
I just wanted to point those of you who read my blog to a discussion I’ve been having with John Hobbins on his “Ancient Hebrew Poetry” blog. John and I most definitely do not agree about the appropriateness of Christians serving in the military, or on the justness of (at least some) military actions we’re now involved with in the U.S. But we both agree … Continue reading War and Peace – A Civil Discussion
I just learned of this CNN report from a friend. Here’s the meat of the story, referencing a new poll by the Pew Research Center: The more often Americans go to church, the more likely they are to support the torture of suspected terrorists, according to a new survey. I have no words strong enough to express my outrage. I am ashamed to be part … Continue reading Torture – May God have mercy on us!
I found this article linked off of a long discussion related to a gay fellow participating in a worship team, over at Scot McKnight’s blog. Wesley Hill’s poignant piece is what I want to highlight here. Hill gives a heartfelt description of the deep frustration and intense loneliness he has experienced because, well, I’ll let him explain it himself (the “Auden” to whom he refers … Continue reading A Gay Brother’s Grief
So far, most of my posts have addressed areas that cause me concern within that part of Christianity that would tend to self-identify as “conservative.” In fact the casual reader could be forgiven for pretty quickly lumping me in with a “liberal” stream of thought. I’m about to change that. A responsible reading of the Christian scriptures according to the “Word of God” hermaneutic that … Continue reading Homosexuality – It’s really about which kingdom you’re in!
Mostly I’m sticking to more directly Scriptural, doctrinal, and church/kingdom life stuff on this blog, but I’m going to veer into current events for a moment. Lots of people made lots of noise over Rick Warren’s being asked to deliver the invocation at President Obama’s inauguration this morning. As with most such storms, the import of Warren’s presence got lost, I think, in the cultural … Continue reading Observations about Rick Warren’s inaugural prayer