Recently, I was invited to contribute a chapter for a book project that will address deconstruction. I’m not saying it’s a response to The Gospel Coalition’s Before You Lose Your Faith, but that’s exactly what it is. I’m not sure what the book will cover, exactly, but it’ll probably touch on all the basics: LGBTQ+ issues, prayer after deconstruction, theodicy, hell, etc. For my piece, I’m going to talk about how Jesus interpreted his Scriptures. We’ve probably all heard this... Read more
Everyone is talking about deconstruction. Conservative Christians are talking about it. Progressive Christians are talking about it. Hell, even agnostics and atheists are talking about it. But what is it, exactly? And why are so many groups coming at it from such different angles? What is Deconstruction? The term “deconstruction” is nothing new, though the modern, colloquial meaning of the word may be. Although it was around before French philosopher Jacques Derrida, he is basically considered the “founder of deconstruction.”... Read more
I’m just gonna leave this here…y’all can figure out where I’m going with this. Exodus 32 (NRSV) The Golden Calf When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them,... Read more
“What Would Jesus Do?” WWJD. That’s a question Christians ask themselves many times over the course of their lives. Some even go so far as to wear WWJD bracelets so they can glance down at their wrist as a constant reminder. Perhaps even some have the letters tattooed on their knuckles. Either way, I’m sure we are all aware of the phrase and the sentiment behind it. We want to live like Jesus and want to do exactly what he... Read more
We are in the season of Lent, that period of time where some Christians give up something for 40 days. Most choose vices like coffee, fast food, or alcohol. I saw one list that included gossip (which of course caused me to think “why not give that up for good?”). In this piece, I’d like to suggest a different approach: A theological Lent. Yes, that’s right, I propose Christians give up the following theologies/beliefs for at least 40 days (and... Read more
Two years ago, Donald J. Trump was impeached and acquitted. Last month, Donald J. Trump was again impeached and again acquitted. During the first trial, I didn’t agree with the outcome but I understood it. The second trial is much different. While I’m not surprised that the former president was acquitted, I am still quite stunned. Republicans often consider themselves the “party of values.” I know this, not only because they always talk about it, but because I was raised... Read more
What is it with Evangelicalism’s obsession with sin? It seems that every time a Patheos article comes across my social media feeds with “Sin” in the title, it’s from the Evangelical page. Taking a look at the Desiring God website today – for the sole purpose of seeing how many articles featured sin – and I discovered two frontpage pieces about that bugger of a three-letter word. Listening to a conversation between Evangelical darling Alisa Childers and Sean McDowell in... Read more
Hell is not real. It’s also quite real. Hell is real in that it is an analogy for a certain state of mind or being in this life. Perhaps that even extends, to some extent, into the part of life that happens after our bodies die. But hell is not a place of torture we go to after we die. Nor is it a state of being that lasts forever and ever. After all, even Gehenna is nice this time... Read more
I grew up believing that the mark of the beast was something I may be forced to take under threat of violence. Some told me it would be a microchip that would be implanted in my arm and that it would be the only way to buy or sell goods or services. Some thought it would be an implant in the head that would do likewise. Some today believe it’s contained in a vaccine. Perhaps some believe it’s something that... Read more
Alisa Childers videos have been gaining in popularity. A lot of people have been sharing them far and wide. Many agree with her. Many are looking for ways to address what she is saying. In the latest episode of Apostates Anonymous, I sit down with fellow Patheos blogger and cohost of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, Keith Giles, to talk about her video “What’s with all the deconstruction stories? With Sean McDowell.” To listen to the podcast, click my big,... Read more
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