Category Archives: Other Interesting Stuff

Nailing it to the Door is becoming a joint venture!

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I want to take this opportunity to introduce my readers to my dear friend Ben Bajarin.  Ben and I have been spiritual relief valves for each other for the better part of three years now.  Though we attended the same church for over a decade, it took nearly nine years before we met each other and discovered that God had stirred some common–though unusual–thoughts in … Continue reading Nailing it to the Door is becoming a joint venture! »

Confronting homelessness in person

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Just wanted to highlight the work of a local Atlanta man who’s chosen to spend a month homeless to highlight the homelessness situation around here.  Elijah Montgomery has temporarily abandoned his comfortable job and digs, in an attempt to raise money for a coffee house he wants to start, at which he will hire homeless kids to work. You can read about his effort on … Continue reading Confronting homelessness in person »

The Gospel According to Heinlein, or Why Christians are sometimes God’s worst enemies…

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Over the past few days I read Robert A. Heinlein’s 1984 book Job: A Comedy of Justice.  For those who enjoy mind-bending adventures with an eternal twist, I recommend it as a fun story.  Be forewarned: if you only enjoy fiction that comports with your theology and cosmology,  and you consider yourself an orthodox Christian, this book is probably not for you.  But if you … Continue reading The Gospel According to Heinlein, or Why Christians are sometimes God’s worst enemies… »

Grand Theft Jesus – Part 2 – "All About Eve"

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In my previous review of Grand Theft Jesus by Robert McElvaine, I mentioned that he did a spectacular mis-exegesis of the accounts of the creation and fall in Genesis 1-3.  I’d like to dig into this a little further, as McElvaine claims that mysogyny in religion is one of religion’s (and for that matter, the world’s) biggest problems. Now I will stipulate at the outset … Continue reading Grand Theft Jesus – Part 2 – "All About Eve" »

Book Review – Grand Theft Jesus (Part 1)

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I just finished reading the book Grand Theft Jesus — The Hijacking of Religion in America by Robert S. McElvaine.  I really expected to love the book:  after all, he starts out sympathizing with “the Christian Messiah (as he) looks at the crew of megachurch preachers, televangelists, hypocrites, imposters, snake-oil salesmen, and just plain snakes who have hijacked the name of Christianity, perpetrated identity theft … Continue reading Book Review – Grand Theft Jesus (Part 1) »

Roger Williams – A patriot for the rest of us

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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 »

Movie Recommendation – Avatar

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I know it’s probably odd for a mostly-theological blog to recommend an entirely-secular movie, but odd has never stopped me yet and I don’t think I’ll start now. . .I just saw the film “Avatar” with my brother and our sons yesterday, and I have a new addition to my top-ten all-time favorite movies.  It’s really that good.  Not because it’s a compelling sci-fi and … Continue reading Movie Recommendation – Avatar »

A Personal Story – A Dad Confronts Down syndrome

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Not a judgment, but a job! Reflections from the dad of a nine-year-old boy with Down syndrome Daniel W. Martin, September, 2009 In January of 2000, our youngest son Gabe was born. Two days later, his pediatrician informed us that she believed he had Down syndrome, and that she had ordered a karyotype to confirm. I was stunned. I searched for other reasons for each … Continue reading A Personal Story – A Dad Confronts Down syndrome »