This is an incredible series being offered to us by Matt Edwards: a nine part summary and response to Douglas Campbell’s mega-book, The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul . Thanks to Matt Edwards. The Deliverance of God 4–Inconsistent Anthropology in Justification Theory We are evaluating Douglas Campbell’s rereading of Romans 1-4 as presented in The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul. In the book, Campbell rejects “justification theory” (JT), the traditional... Read more

What percent of Americans, according to the best and most recent statistics (both GSS and Baylor’s study are nearly the same here), are “spiritual but not religious”? And what is a profile of the “spiritual but not religious” person? (Fascinating.) Again, I’m using What Americans Really Believe . Here are their numbers:  Spiritual but not religious: 10% Spiritual and religious: 57% Religious, but not spiritual: 17% Neither: 16% Now the profile of the 10% of Americans who say they are... Read more

From CNN.com’s report about Rowan Williams, the American Episcopal Church’s decision to ordain a bishop who is lesbian, and the problems this creates among the worldwide Anglican communion. Should you be interested in an excellent biography of Rowan Williams, I recommend Rupert Shortt: Rowan’s Rule: The Biography of the Archbishop of Canterbury . Rifts within the Anglican Communion could widen after the archbishop of Canterbury, who has condemned the consecration of openly gay bishops, urged a diminished role Friday for... Read more

The comparison of these two numbers surprised me: while 89% of Americans believe “most evil in the world is caused by mankind” only 25% believed human nature is basically evil. Terms aside, one would think that if that many think humans cause the problem they’d also think humans are corrupted. Theologians call this “original sin” (or the lack thereof). 43% of Americans think “most evil is caused by the devil.” (You can obviously vote for more than one option.) All... Read more

This is an incredible series being offered to us by Matt Edwards: a nine part summary and response to Douglas Campbell’s mega-book, The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul . Thanks to Matt Edwards. The Deliverance of God 3–Problems with Natural Theology in Justification Theory We are evaluating Douglas Campbell’s rereading of Romans 1-4 as presented in The Deliverance of God: An Apocalyptic Rereading of Justification in Paul. In the book, Campbell rejects “justification theory” (JT),... Read more

Our James commentary is already posted at Amazon. Thanks Eerdmans for getting it up so early. The Letter of James (NICNT) (New International Commentary on the New Testament) Read more

John Mark Hicks, Come to the Table: Revisioning the Lord’s Supper , explores themes of the Eucharist in such a fresh manner. The Table of the Lord is a Table of hope and a Table of Joy. There is a proper sacred context for the Table, but sacred too easily morphs into the morbid. That is, for many the Table evokes the somber tones of Good Friday instead of the glorious news of Easter. For many the Table is about Holy Saturday... Read more

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Read more

The picture to the right we use for our Saturday Afternoon Book Review is from the Long Room at Trinity College in Dublin. We were just in the Long Room, which is above the Book of Kells, this morning! Blog Book Review: ReChurch: Healing Your Way Back to the People of God by Stephen Mansfield Reviewed by Andy Holt Blogs at: Sometimes Preacher Greg was as involved in the life of the church as anybody. He faithfully attended services. He... Read more