You've no doubt heard about the parable of the seed and the sower? It's one of those stories I've seen illustrated with little shreds of flannel when I was in 2nd grade, heard it taught at camp by a guy who illustrated it in what was called a "chalk talk" and studied it in seminary. In spite of all this, it was only today that I was really struck by the fact this guy wasn't very careful about where he put his seeds. Rocky soil, good soil, the side of the road, amidst weeds... come on farmer … [Read more...]
Modernity, Post-Modernity, and the Limits of Knowing
January 27, 2010 By 80 Comments
The question on the table is this: How can we step outside of our own context fully enough to objectively assess the faith? This is the question post-modernity brings to the table. Rather than decrying post-modernity for critiquing the arrogant declarations of certainty that have come from people of faith down through the centuries, I'd suggest at the outset, that there are things to learn from the post-modern problem: 1. They've pointed out the elephant in the room: we don't KNOW (in the … [Read more...]
For… a plea for beauty
December 8, 2009 By 7 Comments
Our church staff was looking at this article yesterday, which articulates some data from the Barna research people about how Christians are perceived by those who are not. I wonder if the real Jesus, not the one conservatives and liberals have fabricated, would be perceived as boring (remember when he walked on water, remember the accusation that he went to the wrong parties, the ones with unreligious people), or judgmental (remember the women caught in adultery who, in accordance with … [Read more...]
Reflections on first leg of the trip…
December 4, 2009 By 5 Comments
In a few minutes I'll go to class and complete the studies in Genesis with students here, and then board the train for Augsburg, where I'll spend the evening with friends before filming tomorrow at Dachau and sites in Munich. Tomorrow night it's on to Salzburg for supper with a friend and then Schladming, where I'll be teaching I Corinthians next week. The week here has been good with many students from Canada, a few from America, and the rest from places in Europe, Africa, and one student … [Read more...]
U2 and the Unfashionable Cross
October 28, 2009 By 27 Comments
It seems like everyone I know has been to, or is going to, hear u2 live in October. They're out on the west coast, doing a tour and so Christians between 20 and 40 are making the pilgrimage. Before I continue, I'll offer the caveat that I love u2. I just returned from running stairs and Bono was my companion because, after the 10th set of sprints it's true: I still haven't found what I'm looking for. Their music, lyrics, and leverging of fame for social good are all inspiring and … [Read more...]
Lessons from Europe…
October 28, 2009 By 3 Comments
This November/December I'll once again be spending some time in Germany and Austria, teaching at two different Bible Colleges. During the trip this year, though, I hope to catalog some of the sites and history over there that have shaped my theology. If you've read my blog for a little while, you know that some of my favorite inspirational martyrs are the young students who comprised the "White Rose" Fellowship in Germany. I'm also a huge fan of Carl Muth, their mentor, a Catholic Priest … [Read more...]
Marriage: Away it goes
October 24, 2009 By 14 Comments
It's an amazing time in history. On the one hand, we're seeing movement on the part of same-sex couples to have the right to marry, while on the other hand, we see the heterosexual world increasingly treating "marriage" with callous disregard. It's this latter point that stood out to me while watching "Away We Go" recently. In case you've not seen it, I'll shamelessly cut and post the synopsis from here: Mid-thirtysomethings Burt Farlander and Verona De Tessant are a loving couple. Burt has … [Read more...]
questions…bridges…life
August 8, 2009 By 2 Comments
Welcome... After blogging for years over at blogspot (where you can find all the old stuff about movies, sexuality, politics, faith, doubt, Iran, Iraq, money, sleep, books, mountains, coffee... it's all there if you nose around long enough), I'm moving over here to a different site, in hopes of focusing my thoughts and creativity a bit, trimming my efforts down to address three things: 1. Questions - I'm a pastor, and so I get real questions all the time. "Why are we on the brink of … [Read more...]
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