James Emery White thinks evangelicalism is teetering over a precipice, and his new book — Christ Among the Dragons: Finding Our Way Through Cultural Challenges — probes topics that are in need of serious discussion. Orthodoxy is one such topic. Orthodoxy is a shibboleth — that is, it is something that one can either pronounce or not. That is, something one either affirms or does not. In this sense, it has a level of objectivity about it. It also divides. It... Read more
In a recent article in CT, I called into question historical Jesus studies — as an enterprise. In varying ways, each of the respondents in the CT format — Tom Wright, Darrell Bock and Craig Keener — reaffirmed their commitment to the value of historical work. In the most recent CT, under Viewpoints, two letter writers make the same reaffirmation: historical work on Jesus and Judaism is valuable. In other words, by affirming the value of historical work the responses... Read more
One great thing about being in Ireland was the absence of “like”… Read more
The language of defeat is prominent in Psalm 18:35-45 (see after the jump), so prominent it might offend. David, or whoever this might be, exults in the defeat of his enemies and he looks to God for that victory. In fact, the whole is framed through looking to God for that victory: “You have given me…” etc. As Goldingay puts it: YHWH acts and does not abandon; the psalmist triumphs instead of being overwhelmed; the enemy loses instead of triumphing.... Read more
James Emery White thinks evangelicalism is teetering over a precipice. Or, put in his words about the evangelical world he once knew, “that era of evangelical faith in America is now gone.” Perhaps that is fine, he adds. What he fears is that the “heart of evangelicalism itself is fading. And fading fast” (17). He points to what some are worried about: the loss of a shared social agenda or the fragmentation of the coalition of evangelicals during the Billy... Read more
Ed Stetzer, an astute observer of American Christianity, has a piece in CT about denominations. Many denominational leaders today are worried about clear trends; I’m asked about the issue often and I do see denominational loyalty on the decline… but I’m a pragmatist about this: we are natural organizers; organized groups tend to get more accomplished; etc.. I wouldn’t claim they are perfect and I would argue they are far from perfect, but that is because we are imperfect. Willow... Read more
Carolyn Arends gets it right in her piece at CT: The story of Christianity ultimately leaves me shocked at the risks God takes with humans. Even the greatest lights in church history were dishearteningly imperfect. For all his heroism, Luther attacked the Jewish faith so polemically the Nazis later misappropriated his writings for their anti-Semitic cause. Reformer Ulrich Zwingli advocated justification by faith and concern for the poor, but he also endorsed the executions of two of his brightest disciples... Read more
Psalm 18 is a long psalm. 18:30-34 is a strong word, a word about God that leads us to learn to trust in God and to depend on God, especially when life seems to be at its worst. Here the psalmist speaks of what God is like: God acts in a faithful manner; God’s promise is reliable; God is a shield. In fact, this leads to a sudden question: Who is God beside YHWH? (No one.) Who else protects? (No... Read more
I recently received a copy of John F. Haught‘s new book Making Sense of Evolution: Darwin, God, and the Drama of Life. Haught is a Senior Fellow in Science and Religion at Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University and Professor of Theology Emeritus. He testified at the Dover trial on Intelligent Design back in 2005. His book opens some interesting topics for discussion and is certainly worth a few posts. I picked up Haught’s book and started to read it on... Read more
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