Non-Asian Asians, Barack’s Bobbles & the NSA (HBCultureCast)

Last updated on: June 19, 2013 at 4:22 pm By Christian Piatt

This week, as the rest of the country swelters, the CultureCast crew complain about the cool, overcast weather in Portland. Hey, everybody has to gripe about something, right? Our guest for the episode is Bruce Reyes-Chow, returning to the show for another go-round. This time he discusses his new book, “But I Don’t See You As Asian” which explores the complexities of race and privilege in America in Bruce’s trademark humorous first-person narrative style. It’s a good thing he told us... Read more

Church Sign Epic Fails, “He Touched Me” Edition

Last updated on: June 17, 2013 at 5:38 pm By Christian Piatt

We’ve all said those things that we wish we could take back right after we said them. Now, imagine that thing being posted on a church sign, photographed and shared on the internet…yeah. Read more

Time to Admit It: We’re All Gay

Last updated on: June 13, 2013 at 11:14 pm By Christian Piatt

I was disappointed, although not entirely surprised, when the Southern Baptist Convention resolved to withdraw its support of the Boy Scouts because of their recent affirmation of the inclusion of children regardless of their sexual orientation. Although the resolution is nonbinding for congregations, as is the policy of Baptist governance, 108,000 Boy Scouts currently sponsored or supported in some way by Baptist churches run the risk of losing the opportunities to participate in Boy Scouts. The decision was not universally... Read more

Frank Schaeffer, Arrested Development & the Red Wedding (HBCultureCast)

Last updated on: June 12, 2013 at 7:39 pm By Christian Piatt

This week we welcome the great Frank Schaeffer to discuss modern art, the fight against human trafficking, and why we aren’t outraged about tech companies Frank compares to “modern day slave ships.” It’s an illuminating discussion, and it goes long because everything Frank was saying was awesome. Later, Amy is afraid of drowning, so none of us should ever go underwater again. In the Echo Chamber, we’re discussing Game of Thrones and the 9th episode, which rocked everyone’s world. (If... Read more

I love technology. I hate technology.

Last updated on: June 11, 2013 at 10:53 pm By Christian Piatt

I have been dealing with some repetitive stress issues in my hands lately. There are many days in a week when I will type consistently at a keyboard for anywhere between five and nine hours a day. It is a blessing and a curse at the same time, because while I get a good amount of work done, it also ends up taking a toll on my body. Now, I know that no one is interested in hearing a writer... Read more

Nature’s Elegant Geometry: Signs of God?

Last updated on: June 11, 2013 at 6:42 pm By Christian Piatt

Amy and I try to take Mondays off together. It’s our only time without kids but with each other and few job demands looking over us. Yesterday after lunch on the east side of Portland, we decided to check out the famous Rose Gardens near Washington Park. We had heard a lot about them but nothing really prepares you for the magnitude and richness of beauty and a place where hundreds of thousands of roses of every style and color... Read more

Which way did he go, George? (Heretic’s Guide sampler for June 23, 2013)

Last updated on: June 10, 2013 at 6:43 pm By Christian Piatt

Bible Cliff’s Notes (My dog ate my Bible!) First Reading 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a Elijah gets in trouble with the King Ahab and Jezebel for killing their prophets. He hides in the woods and waits to die but an angel gives him food. He retreats to mount Horeb for 40 days. God appears to Elijah and tells him to retreat to the wilderness in Damascus. (and) Isaiah 65:1-9 The prophet Isaiah is condemning those who do not observe Jewish... Read more

Church Sign Epic Fails, “Show Him the Money” Edition

Last updated on: June 8, 2013 at 11:30 pm By Christian Piatt

Daddy always told me summer was a sign that the Devil was coming to get me. Let’s see…no school/Satan. No school/Satan…Gimme a minute here. Read more

Convergence Christians, Gay Cakes and Dental Drama (CultureCast)

Last updated on: June 6, 2013 at 5:12 pm By Christian Piatt

Okay, who spiked the CultureCast punch with Aderall? These guys are all over the map today…hey look, shiny! This week we dig around in the gray matter of Eric Elnes, pastor of the online faith community Darkwood Brew, author of the Phoenix Affirmations (and many other books), and most recently, prophet and advocate for what he calls “Convergence Christianity.” If’n you ain’t yet in the know about what exactly that is, read the twelve-point manifesto here. Then we dive into... Read more

Game of Thrones, Evil, Suffering and the Gospel

Last updated on: June 5, 2013 at 11:08 pm By Christian Piatt

Following is a clip of a few minutes from our Heretic’s Guide LIVE CHAT today. The full video, along with the study and other content, are on the full Heretic’s Guide to the Bible website. We covered a lot of ground, from the ethics of consuming pop culture (leading to a great talk on Game of Thrones), to the challenge of nonviolence, our relationship with evil, suffering, and even a reframing of the crucifixion. Good, good stuff. Read more