Discovering Biblical Equality: A Sampling
The third edition of Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural, and Practical Perspectives is now available and this volume is stacked with scholars who affirm, without reservation, the inspiration and authority of Scripture. This is a “fresh, positive defense of gender equality [and] at once scholarly and practical, irenic yetRead More
“Head” does not mean “Leader”
Marg Mowczko’s article titled, “4 reasons “head” does not mean “leader” in 1 Corinthians 11:3″ is excellent and a good sum of the research showing that Paul did not have in mind hierarchy or leadership when writing to those in Corinth. She opens with 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is one ofRead More
The Gospel Precisely: Some Remarks
The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News about Jesus Christ the King is a small book with large insights on the message that is central to Christianity. It provides needed corrections to some of the classic expressions used when presenting the good news. The book chips away at the “thick wall ofRead More
Has Shame Gotten a Bad Rap?
Gregg Ten Elshof has done it again. He has written an especially helpful and deeply insightful book proposing that we would do well not to dismiss shame altogether. This book is highly accessible, deserves wide attention, and would make an outstanding resource for group discussion. For Shame: Rediscovering the VirtuesRead More
Is Faith in Christ Enough?
Short answer: Yes. However, and this may seem obvious and come as no surprise, it seems to me that for those who affirm and embrace Christianity, there is some measure of obligation to grow or mature in the faith. Consider how the image of “infant” or “children” is used inRead More
The Practice of the Absence of God: A Meditation for Renewal
“I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him, and that done, if there is nothing else to call me, I prostrate myself in worship before him, who has given me grace to work; afterwards I rise happier than a king.” On several occasions IRead More
Thinking about God
How do you think about God? If you had to describe God to someone, how would you go about it? What attributes would a divine being possess? Typically God’s being is communicated in relational terms but do we know what God is like? Rather than turn to the Bible, couldRead More
Election and Salvation in John’s Gospel
God is sovereign over salvation. Humans are responsible in salvation. These two truths are the hallmarks of the doctrine of election in the Gospel according to John. It is admitted that there is a certain evasiveness to sovereignty and responsibility when both are held to be true. Nevertheless, for John,Read More
Faith and/or Reason
What is the role of faith and reason in belief formation? Is there a difference between a preference, an opinion, and a belief? Is faith opposed to reason or does faith complement and work together with reason? First, faith is not fideism (a blind leap into the unknown; uncritical acceptanceRead More
The ESV Bible, the Gideons, Slaves, and Anti-Semitism
For those culture warriors (think, “Wayne Grudem”) who argue against PC-versions of the Bible and insist ‘essentially literal’ is always a superior translation, check out “When evangelical snowflakes censor the Bible: The English Standard Version goes PC: How a Bible edition aimed at right-wing evangelicals has quietly scrubbed references to slaveryRead More
The Virtues
Craig A. Boyd & Kevin Timpe have provided an outstanding introduction to The Virtues in Oxford’s “Very Short Introductions” series. As with the other volumes, The Virtues is an excellent offering. It is clear and uncomplicated, thorough and inclusive in approach, and helpfully outlined and organized throughout. Chapter 1 sets theRead More