Jesus and John Wayne: A Few Remarks
History scholar Kristin Kobes Du Mez rehearses the ingredients of a distinctly American evangelical culture. Like it or not, these ingredients promote or facilitate nationalism, racism, sexism, white maleness, authority, and political power. She argues (convincingly) that a “militant white evangelicalism thrives on a sense of embattlement” (p xviii). ForRead More
It’s OK
The story of Jane Marczewski (aka Nightbirde) is special because it portrays a person who is experiencing immense tragedy on a scale many of us have not known. What makes it special is that she is managing her tragedy in ways not only remarkable but inspirational. Her response is simply,Read More
The Structure of Biblical Revolutions: A Look at Beth Barr’s The Making of Biblical Womanhood
Thomas Kuhn’s now classic The Structure of Scientific Revolutions opened my eyes to the importance of having my eyes open. It helped me appreciate that before science can advance or be changed for the better, the same data must be viewed from a different perspective. Tracing the history of science, KuhnRead More
Three Limitations on Freedom of Conscience
One of the subscriptions I pay attention to from my inbox is The Worldview Bulletin Newsletter. The offerings are always thoughtful and stimulate me to see my faith from new and important angles as I seek to engage my world. The following article by Angus J. L. Menuge quickly gainedRead More
Now Read This!
Practically every lady who has ever done a bible study has heard of Beth Moore. With the recent fallout on the departure from her Southern Baptist roots (check out her tweets from 4/7/2021), I’ve decided to read three books around this ongoing hot topic of gender roles in the home,Read More
God-shaped Vacuum
Augustine, Confessions, Book 1, Chapter 1Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise; for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee. Pascal, Pensées (425)“What is it, then, that this desire and this inability proclaim to us, but that there was once inRead More
One Command, Two Loves
In Matthew 22:36-39 Jesus tells us love is the highest duty of humankind. Love is human activity at its finest.
The command is the same in both cases: to love; but the recipients are different: “God” and “neighbor” (see Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; and likely Luke 10:29-37 where “neighbor” extends to anyone in need). Since God is the greater of the two recipients (greater in every way morally, metaphysically, and conceptually), then it follows that he must receive more of our love. In fact, God must receive all of our love. Neighbors, however, are to receive at least as much as …Read More
Whether God is Good: Tish Harrison Warren
Tish Harrison Warren offers important insight into what appears to be an inescapable predicament. Here’s the issue: In the throes of real pain and genuine suffering, we struggle to make sense out of the goodness of God (assuming there is some sense to be made under such pressure). This predicament favors no one and applies to everyone, whether …Read More
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
