Lately I’ve been attempting to spark discussion around the internet on the use of Christian labels, and I’m rather pleased such a robust discussion is taking place on blogs and in Facebook groups on this issue. I think the use of labels is a critical issue facing the next generation of Jesus followers, and argue in my upcoming book, Christian Outsiders, that we really would bode well to transition into a Christianity that is “beyond the labels.” First, there was a... Read more
Any culture has a difficult tendency to send conflicting messages on an array of issues, and American culture is no different. This fact is especially true when it comes to one of America’s hallmark characteristics: violence. The use of violence towards others is at the very foundation of the American identity– it’s how we were born as a nation, and how we have thrived as a nation. Since we benefit so greatly from this violence, we have not only culturally... Read more
Ken Ham, founder of the Creation Museum, is sporting a new look lately. No, he didn’t shave that beard. He’s not trying on skinny jeans for size. He hasn’t switched up his hair. He’s just sporting the ever trendy and fashionable anti-Christian persecution complex that’s so en vogue these days. Ken recently took to his blog to whine about the ever-growing persecution of Christians in America, of which he claims he is one of the chief victims. What’s interesting about... Read more
We all use labels to some degree. Like it or not, we live in a culture that uses labels to help us identify things. Sometimes this can be very helpful– as we navigate the world we live in, labels often provide us a cursory way to navigate the landscape. However, when it comes to Christian labels, there’s a real danger that we should all be aware of: judging. The sinful desire to judge others is at the heart and soul... Read more
Last week I wrote two back-to-back posts dealing with Christian labels, and how there are things about both the Evangelical and Progressive Christian label that I have a hard time with (I guess this post makes it a series on labels), though I love and identify with much from both groups. Both articles generated good discussions on multiple levels, as it seems I’m not alone in feeling like today’s Christian labels are inadequate in capturing my faith in a word... Read more
The other day I wrote a post on 5 areas where I find myself unable to connect with some aspects of Progressive Christianity, which has generated plenty of discussion. Some of it has been helpful, and some just proved my point about the need to police the borders of a label. While there are some areas of Progressive Christianity where it loses me, Evangelicalism on the other hand, has completely lost me. And, since being hated by everyone is a... Read more
I’m obviously known as a “Progressive Christian.” While I am not a fan of labels, I don’t mind having this one assigned to me because it’s a big tent and there’s room for me here. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m always on board with what other progressive thinkers are saying or affirming– there are many times where I find myself pushing back and saying, “you guys just lost me on that one.” While Progressive Christianity is so broad that... Read more
It seems quite often when I discuss the theology of Christian Nonviolence, some folks are quick to drop the name of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer for many has become a “trump card” in discussions on nonviolence when one wants to give an example of someone who used violence to confront evil, as he has the reputation of being an attempted assassin of Adolph Hitler. Unfortunately, Bonhoeffer is a poor example of the desired point as there is no evidence that was... Read more
The internet is abuzz again about Rob Bell in a way we haven’t seen since the release of his now infamous book, Love Wins. From Evangelical rock star to Evangelical reject, Rob has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows that an Evangelical can experience. No longer pastor of mega-church Mars Hill, Rob has moved on with life in ways that don’t fit the standard trajectory many would have anticipated for a mega-church pastor. He’s spent the last... Read more
Anyone who makes their living sharing ideas will get plenty of critique– and that’s fair. Sometimes however, (okay, not sometimes but “often”) those of us who make a living sharing ideas get really nasty hate mail– for some reason I’ve always received an impressive amount. This year I decided to take a very unscientific look back at my year in review to identify those issues which sparked the nastiest messages and comments around the internet. I’ve narrowed my list down... Read more
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