I’m no expert on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and I doubt the reader is either. I haven’t read any books on the subject, nor spoken with anyone very knowledgeable of the theory. I’ve read more about the controversy the theory seems to inspire, than the theory itself. That’s probably true for most of us. However, I have looked into it a bit. Reading this essay, I came across this: “Critical race theory is an academic concept that is more than... Read more
On May 15, 1957, evangelist Billy Graham preached for the first time at Madison Square Garden to a crowd of over 18,000 people. It was the beginning of his New York “crusade.” He would also preach inside Yankee Stadium, filling it as well. He would end up preaching in New York clear into September. We might say on that date, what we know as modern (meaning, recent at least) American Evangelicalism was born. Why that date and event? Prior to... Read more
Because I’m a masochist and glutton for punishment, every now and then I peruse The Gospel Coalition website. And then I tell myself, like the borderline alcoholic or drug addict, to never, ever, do that again. But I still do. Oh, well. We all have our struggles. And I came across this essay. Now, in all fairness, the author makes many good and sound (in my opinion) theological and cultural points. Christians are indeed sojourners; we are exiles in this... Read more
If one grew up in especially a Calvinist strain of fundamentalism/evangelicalism, they at some time probably heard a sermon or read something about the difference between “common” grace and “saving” grace—or common and special grace. The idea is that there are two types of God’s grace. There is the “common” sort that everybody experiences, whether they know or recognize the source or not. A typical Bible verse used to support this notion is Matthew 5:45: “[God] makes his sun rise... Read more
I doubt anyone prefers being literally homeless. Most of us probably don’t like it metaphorically either. We like to belong. We like to know where we fit politically. Having a point of reference, a North Star, gives us a sense of comfort and security. For those who have found that same or similar star or reference, it means finding a community, a home. We seem to live between two extraordinary tensions right now as American citizens. On one hand, are... Read more
It’s amazing to me. For some reason, when it comes to the internet and social media, too many people who call themselves “Christians” feel free to spread false information or misinformation. For those with college educations, what they would never cite in a paper without checking for truth and accuracy, they will happily share on social media. Yes, I know, social media isn’t an academic forum. Still, if one is going to share anything of substance, something important, something where... Read more
I came across these three words (“anarchy of charity”) while re-reading David Bentley Hart’s seminal theological work, in the chapter on eschatology (Pg. 399). I immediately fell in love with those three words, even if I wasn’t completely sure why I felt that way, or what it was they conveyed. It was just a complete interruption to my reading. I was brought to a halt by their poetic power and what they stirred within me. The context for their use... Read more
Consider the evangelical who has fallen into the GQP, right-wing, conspiracy-minded, Trump worship of the last 4 years. If you have family or friends in that world, you will sense on their part a growing hostility and decidedly anti-China bent or persuasion. At some point, the former president turned against China, especially after Covid hit. There was a clear purpose behind using prejudiced designations like, “Kung-flu,” or the “China virus.” Perusing the social media of these evangelicals, we notice they... Read more
From here we read: “In contrast, whenever the New Testament speaks of the universality of God’s salvation in Christ (47 times by Hart’s count) it does so in bald theological assertions (as in 1 Corinthians 15:22: “For just as in Adam all die, so also in the Anointed all will be given life”) which can be taken in no other way but literally.” Everything about modern, Western, enlightened, mathematical, and mapped out Christianity is linear. We have timelines. We start... Read more
In regard to our present moment, when it comes to white evangelicalism and the political, in my view there are three types of evangelical pastors/leaders. The first is in complete agreement with a large percentage of their flock when it comes to the last four years and the events of January 6th in our nation’s capital. They agree the former president was wonderful, his election “stolen,” the insurrection either justified or a “false flag,” and are sympathetic toward conspiracy theories... Read more
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