Liveblogging Transforming Theology – Day 3

March 14, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Starting Day 3 here at Claremont School of Theology, we’re having panels about whether progressive theology can transform society. 9:26am – Jack Fitzmier, who leads the American Academy of Religion, is intense and challenging. He says that the right people are not in this room. Who are “academic theologians”? he asks. The people doing the best work are not systematic and constructive theologians, he says, but practical theologians. Second, he says the focus should be on practice, not theory. “The... Read more

Liveblogging Transforming Theology – Day 2

March 13, 2009 By Guest Contributor

I’m at the inaugural Transforming Theology gathering: Rekindling Theological Imagination: Transformative Thought for Progressive Action. Today we’re talking about the church. 9:16am – Harvey Cox, of Harvard, is giving his 5-minute statement. He thinks there is an epochal shift coming in theology, driven by crises in the economy and environment. “We must live in uncertainty fused with hope.” We live in a situation analogous to the early Christians, the ending of an age of empire. What did they do? They... Read more

SoCal Readers Take Note

March 13, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Tonight and tomorrow night there are live, public, free events in Claremont with some of the leading progressive theologians in the world. And tonight’s event is followed by a TheoPub at which you can sit, have a beer, and talk with these theologians. Friday Night: Transforming the Church (followed by TheoPub) Saturday Night: Transforming Society Read more

This Week

March 12, 2009 By Guest Contributor

This week has been a light blogging week. I even removed a post that I wrote yesterday about this because an emailer told me it was too inflammatory and mean-spirited. But, I’m flying off to SoCal today to participate in the Transforming Theology Conversation, and I plan to blog and tweet regularly about that. More soon… Read more

Comment of the Day

March 12, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Sara weighs in on Original Sin: And now it’s time for a woman’s perspective on “original sin.” Eve, the woman, fell for the snake’s deceit. Eve, the woman, was a deceived transgressor, not Adam (1 Timothy 2:14). Eve, the woman, was seduced by the snake and then tricked Adam into eating the forbidden fruit. Eve, the woman, is to blame for the fall into original sin resulting in the total depravity of all humankind. Eve, the woman, forced God to... Read more

Comment of the Day

March 11, 2009 By Guest Contributor

I’m with Larry: Actually, the mere existence of soccer is proof of total depravity. Read more

Comment of the Day

March 10, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Rick brashly flaunts my prohibition: To prove total depravity, I only need to look at the following: 1. NFL officiating, especially when the Steelers involved in the Super Bowl. 2. Terrel Owens picking up a new contract. 3. The 14 wins the NCAA is trying to take from Saint Bobby Bowden. 4. The multiple Grammys for Coldplay and John Mayer. 5. Britney Spears selling out our local 20K venue when innovative music fests in Florida (Langeradoo)are cancelled. How else can... Read more

Transforming Theology — This Week!

March 9, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Later this week, I’ll be in Southern California at the Transforming Theology for the Church consultation. A couple of the events are public, so I encourage you to come if you live in SoCal. But if not, there are lots of ways to follow our doing. I’ll do my best to blog here; there’s a YouTube channel; a Twitter hashtag (#TT4C); and the Transforming Theology blog. A nationwide program to address the crisis of theologyin mainline churches and seminaries. ... Read more

Original Sin: Calvin's Conundrum

March 9, 2009 By Guest Contributor

The Original Sin SeriesIntro–Intuition–Definition–Genesis–Jesus–Paul–Augustine–Calvin-Conclusion When we last heard from our intrepid doctrine, Augustine had taken Paul’s interpretation of Genesis 2-3 in Romans 5 and taken that to mean that Adam’s sin conferred not only death on the entire human race, but also guilt. This was a big step, to be sure, and, as I’ve written, it hinges on a particular reading of the second creation narrative in Genesis and on a particular biology of the transmission of moral standing via... Read more

Comment(s) of the Weekend

March 9, 2009 By Guest Contributor

Paul asks, Hey does Tony ever post replies to the comments. I’m a long time lurker here at his blog and I notice he doesn’t really reply to criticism of his opinions here. What’s up with that? Cody replies, Paul- These are just some options for why Tony doesn’t comment back: 1. Perhaps he does. When we post, we are asked for an e-mail address. Perhaps Tony perceives that some people like to leave comments in order to start a... Read more