If the Bible didn’t exist as we know it, would Jesus cease to exist? I think many Christians would answer, of course not. They may even note the fact there are extra-biblical sources indicating the existence of the historical Jesus. However, what if we were to ask this: Okay, so Jesus would still exist—but, could we know anything substantive about Jesus if the Bible did not exist? Here is where it seems to become a problem for many fundamentalists and... Read more
The Eastern Orthodox began this last Sunday what they call the season of Great Lent, which is the period of fasting and reflection that leads up to Easter. And last Sunday was forgiveness Sunday. On that day we think about God’s great forgiveness and how we are to forgive others. In fact, our very salvation is predicated upon our forgiving others (See Matt 6:11-15). Sobering to say the least. I took some time to reach out to those I have... Read more
The current evangelical-fundamentalist hysterics over deconstruction is disappointing but hardly surprising. Like Critical Race Theory (CRT) or words like “socialism” or anything they don’t really understand, it’s one more word and event they can add to their always multiplying store of fears, reactions, rages, and curious mysteries. The amazing thing to me is that the concept of deconstruction (for a good understanding of the concept, see here), the idea, what it means and expresses, is inherent to the Christian narrative... Read more
There may be fewer richer moments, in our current time, than hearing an evangelical lecture us on the danger of conspiracy theories. It’s hard to believe one could be that self-unaware. It would sort of be like a morbidly obese person lecturing us about portion control. It’s what we see here, however. The writer, Andrew T. Walker, is a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I’m sure he’s nice man; he’s no doubt a gentlemanly Southern Baptist scholar who... Read more
In St. Luke’s Gospel we read: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud... Read more
What do Protestants in general, specifically fundamentalists/evangelicals, mean when they speak of the sufficiency of Scripture? Here, in a general way, is a fairly good take on what they mean. This writer defines the idea this way: “Scripture is sufficient in that it is the only inspired, inerrant, and therefore final authority for Christians for faith and godliness, with all other authorities being subservient to Scripture.” The writer goes on to note that this doesn’t mean we should never avail... Read more
For at least the last 10 years or so, the decisions and behaviors of a wide swath of white evangelicalism have been hard to grasp or understand, to say the very least. And I’m sure many read that sentence and thought… “the last 10 years!?…” Yes, I know for many it may be many, many more years than that. Putting that aside, they’ve left many onlookers perplexed and confused. For many, their decisions and behaviors were/are a mystery—they didn’t make... Read more
This trend has been long in the making but it was amplified by the advent of the internet, social media, and the propensity of many religious people, especially fundamentalists and evangelicals, to believe in conspiracy theories. The trend I note is toward the political becoming or replacing religion as the single most important motivating factor in many people’s lives when it comes to a comprehensive worldview, the metaphysical, theology, and core values. Obviously, if we asked most Christians which was... Read more
What do Christian fundamentalists/evangelicals feel is a key distinctive of their tradition or understanding of the Bible? Evangelizing. Sharing the gospel. Verbally telling others about Christ and salvation. Everything they do, has this as their primary goal and ulterior motive. When they speak of being “purpose driven,” this is what they are talking about. If the goal or purpose of anything they do is not, ultimately, to share their witness, it is not a worthy goal or purpose. It may... Read more
Many Christians seem to believe in a concept of “freedom” that is more modern, Western, American, and individualistic than anything we find in the New Testament. As modern, Western, American consumers we have been discipled to see our connections to others, to community, in the sense of individual rights rather than responsibilities. We have rights. We have liberties. We are sovereign in our own sphere of physical existence. We are islands, even if surrounded by other islands. Thus, it is... Read more
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