God’s Got This?
For some, saying “It’s in the hands of God” is kinda like saying I’m gonna dive into a pool with no water, then pray for rain.
My response to them is twofold: 1) Of course God’s got this, but 2) that does not preclude him using other means to heal, provide, fix, reconcile, et al. Ironically, failing to consider other means God may use suggests one does not actually trust God. You see, if God continues to care for creation providentially, then he may choose and most often does choose intermediary causes to bring about his good will for us. My experience shows me…Read More
Further re: the Imago Dei
Not a little ink has spilled over the centuries and not a few words have been spoken to date on what it means for humans to be created in the image of God. I’ve written before on the imago Dei and, though brief, the sum of my thinking goes like this:
The Bible declares that humanity is created after the image and likeness of the Creator (Genesis 1:26). Humanity is the created representation of God on earth and redeemed humanity reflects the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2). However, the image is a copy of the original, not the exact replica.
Furthermore, both male and female together …Read More
Divine Forgiveness
As pandemic restrictions continue, members of the Society of Christian Philosophers were asked a few months ago to provide suggestions on ways to bring their content to a wider audience. In addition to their first-rate journal Faith & Philosophy, I suggested they consider adding a YouTube channel to reach a broader audience. Now this resource is available so …Read More
Stewarding Eden
Sandra Richter’s book is difficult. Not intellectually, mind you. Far worse. It’s ethically demanding because it’s an eye-opening portrayal of God’s call for environmental responsibility. It addresses issues only the courageous will consider, but all are called on to engage. The concerns of creation care are not just critical, political, structural; they are ubiquitous. On every page this book is a biblical, practical, and down-to-earth call to action. Readers are not only informed about Scripture’s clear message of environmental stewardship, but challenged to make a difference. Richter’s purpose for writing Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters is to provide a “biblical theology of environmental stewardship.” It is not overly technical and is especially …Read More
Paul and the Hope of Glory: A Subversive Victory?
In Paul and the Hope of GloryPaul and the Hope of Glory: An Exegetical and Theological Study Constantine Campbell has provided a significant and important contribution to eschatology from the writings of Paul the Apostle. What follows is just a teaser of “things to come” intended to provide some scaffolding for readers to stand upon as they work through this outstanding offering.
The book is divided into three parts with Part 1 (chapters 1-2) presenting introductory matters; Part 2 (chapters 3-13) providing a brief exegesis of relevant texts; Part 3 (chapters 14-18) integrating …Read More
Women’s Ordination: An Apologetic par excellence
Icons of Christ: A Biblical and Systematic Theology for Women’s Ordination is a compelling and capable defense of women sharing the full sweep of responsibilities for leadership in the Church. Despite the contention this topic breeds and the heat it generates, each chapter fairly and charitably rehearses arguments for and against women serving in church leadership. Author William G. Witt rigorously engages all the relevant biblical texts, along with traditional and contemporary testimony from Catholic and Protestant opposing voices. With philosophical and theological acumen, Witt applies careful historical, theological, literary, and exegetical analyses throughout, while keeping a practical focus on the Church.
Since the breadth and depth of this book is large, …Read More
Does God Give Us More Than We Can Handle?
In his classic Confessions (Book X), Augustine prays, “Give what Thou commandest, and command what Thou willest.”
Some say that God never demands more than we can handle, but is this true? You may say,
“Of course it’s true! After all, Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:13: ‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to us all. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’”
But note: the text does not say God give will never give us more than we are able to handle. It says he does not give us more than we can handle ON OUR OWN. How else will our need for God manifest unless we are at our wits end?
My experience has shown me time and again that …Read More
Reading While Black
To say Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley is large would be an understatement. No less than 10 days after its initial release (September 1, 2020) the publisher’s site notifies customers that shipments will be delayed due to high demand. The author has appeared on countless virtual interviews and is aRead More
Telling a Better Story
Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age is an imaginative and creative approach to Christian apologetics. Chatraw calls for identifying and affirming those touch points that are common in human experience, such as longing for identity and relationship; a yearning for significance, meaning, andRead More
God and Guns in America
For too long too many and taken too much for granted in the heated discussion around guns and violence. God and Guns in America by Mike Austin is a vital read that is surely to lower the volume on this subject, open minds, and close the gap that polarizes aRead More
Making My Vote Count
Intro When I cast my vote in November, 2020, I have an important objective; one that I believe is best for this country. And, since it’s my vote, I get to decide what it means. Others may (and most likely will) infer their own meaning, but as the one castingRead More