In the next two blog posts, the authors provide a precis or summary of each chapter in the book. One preliminary comment is in order. A book should always be evaluated on the basis of what it is attempting to do. This book, though written by Protestants, is not in fact basically a Biblical critique of the Roman Catholic tradition, though some Biblical arguments of course come into play here and there of necessity. No, these two scholars have stuck... Read more

Beginning today, and continuing for some days to come, we will be doing both a review of the important recent book by my friends and colleagues Ken Collins and Jerry Walls, entitled Roman but not Catholic. What Remains at Stake 500 Years after the Reformation (Baker, 2017, 432 pp. $20). This book is important for a variety of reasons, and one of the things I find most interesting about it is that it reveals the same problems with Roman Catholics... Read more

On Dec. 8th-10th the John Wesley Fellows celebrated 40 years of scholarship, fellowship, and frankly blessings for the United Methodist Church, for its colleges, seminaries, episcopal office, local churches, the Upper Room, overseas missions, for Abingdon Press, for its annual conferences, general conferences, for Africa University, and frankly so much more. There are at present over 160 John Wesley Fellows, who have received scholarships from AFTE (A Foundation for Theological Education), and I was blessed to be in the first... Read more

First of all, anyone who is interested in a brief history of coffee should see the Nat Geo special— From Beans to Buzz: The Whole History of Coffee (well, most of it). Here’s a different PBS special, the first part, that tells some of the story. Coffee, after oil is the most valuable traded commodity in the world. Why? Because 500 billion cups are drunk a year, half of them at breakfast! 25 million people at least make their livelihood... Read more

Sometimes I grow weary of pointing out that a precise knowledge of Greek is necessary for a correct translation of the New Testament. Today, I am taking the example of the Greek word δεσμός. This word literally means chain, bond, a string or ligament, or some other kind of impediment that hinders a person. What the word does not mean, in the first instance, is prison, or jail. Hence the translation ‘prisoner’ is not necessary, or really very accurate. There... Read more

PILGRIM’S PAEAN The heaven’s open, the clouds do part To give a glimpse of heavenly art, The light which shines upon our earth Reveals his will, his work, his worth. The highest priest lifts up his hands The Father gives what he commands The prayer of priest who intercedes And speaks of all our human needs. Now sacrifice of lips and hands Is what of us our God demands Since Christ did end in death our need To offer others... Read more

TRAVELING MERCIES They really weren’t wise To travel that far But then pregnant Mary Didn’t follow a star. Unlike the sages Stargazers not kings, Whose journey to Herod Led to horrific things. The shepherds had visitors Who traveled the most Their singing was moving, The heavenly host. It’s quite unlikely Luke meant an inn, For elsewhere in Greek It’s a guest room for kin. So not in a barn But the ancestral home Twas a short trip for Jesus Who... Read more

AT 66 Savor the seasons of life all you can Send all your family a glimpse of His plan Spend, do not waste, the time which is dear Save your bright memories as darkness draws near. Take every chance to stay in the race Talk all you can about the meaning of grace Tread very lightly on young people’s dreams Tell everyone the Lord is what He seems. Praise all the efforts of those who do care Practice a patience... Read more

SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE Between living and dead Between heart and head Between flesh and blood Between soul and spirit, Something deep inside. Between thought and action Between image and reflection Between act and being Between sight and seeing, Something deep inside. Between silence and speech Between grasp and reach Between alone and lonely Between singular and only, Something deep inside. Between begotten and made Between art and artifice Between lost and mislaid Between offering and sacrifice, Something deep inside. Between... Read more

IF ONLY I I would have dressed up, Only it was too much trouble. I would have gone out, Only it cost too much. I would have driven, Only travel’s dangerous. I would have eaten, Only I weigh too much. I would have danced, Only I didn’t have a partner. I would have returned, Only it brought back bad memories. II I would have gone, Only I didn’t have time. I would have visited, Only I wasn’t wanted. I would... Read more