I’m interested in narrative preaching, and by that I don’t mean telling stories but making the sermon itself a narrative or a story. Just how that is done is not so easy to explain, and I’ve heard a number of attempts. But Eugene Lowry, in his excellent little book, The Homiletical Plot: The Sermon As Narrative Art Form , explains it. Here are the parts of a good narrative sermon: But first let me ask this question: What is your... Read more

I tweeted this two days ago: I’m embarrassed at how American Christians talk about “Europe.” Embarrassing. That tweet then appeared on my FB account and drew a conversation — some 74 comments. I appreciate the zeal of these folks; I appreciate their love for the USA; I appreciate, too, their courage to express their mind. But… Why are Americans drawn to use the words “Europe” and “European” derisively? Why do they want to use the word “European” and mean “socialism”?... Read more

This from our friend in Ireland, Patrick Mitchel, a professor and leader. He has no desire to bash the Catholic Church, but he’s as grim as many. Let me say that this is a serious, serious issue, and while I want the proper procedures to be followed in the Vatican and beyond, the focus here must, must, must be on the victims of abuse and proper justice for the perpetrators of sexual violence.  Here are Patrick’s words: So what is... Read more

Tom Wright’s newest book, After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters , finishes off with practical suggestions of how to live out being the “royal priesthood” and living out the virtues in such a way that we become the image bearers (Eikons) God made us to be and has in mind for our future. Chp 7 examines the big images — worship and mission — while chp 8 examines the cardinal, concrete practices (more below). The whole idea of being rulers is turned... Read more

Yesterday we heard a variety of voices on what is to be liked about the new health care plan. Today we want to hear what you don’t like about it. But because of yesterday I’m going to create a few rules, and the rules are words that can’t be used.  Avoid apocalyptic pronouncements such as “this is socialism [if you think this is socialism you don’t know what socialism is], or this marks the “end of our country.” Let’s avoid... Read more

Eugene Peterson, in his new book, Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ  explores the church in Ephesians 2, and lands upon an idea worth pondering today: Do we focus on the function of the Church or the ontology of the Church? That is, on what it does and can do and should do or upon what it is by the act of God? Notice this from Peterson. Ephesians 2:11-22 has nine verbs of divine action: Jesus is our peace,... Read more

Tomorrow will be different. But today I want to ask one simple question and I ask you to weigh in: What do you like about the new health care plan? Or,  How do you think it will help? What advantages will it bring? (Tomorrow, we’d like to hear what you don’t like about the new health care plan.)  Promise: any negative comments will be wiped out today. Let’s think of the positives today. If you have no positives, wait for... Read more

There’s some interest in a post by Stephen Holmes, a fine theologian in Scotland with a fine book on theology and tradition (Listening to the Past: The Place of Tradition in Theology ), over a post of his about the so-called “biblical” family and whether the word “biblical” should be evoked in support of what many are supposing is a “biblical” family. The following post is from Holmes’ post, and what this post will illustrate is that at the bottom... Read more