The obvious answer to this question is yes – at least when it comes to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.  There is little doubt about this. The text is making intentional claims about the history of Israel in Genesis 12-50.  When it comes to Genesis 1-11 however, the question requires more thought. Tremper Longman III and John Walton, The Lost World of the Flood, agree that even in Genesis 1-11 there are some historical claims being made. While 1-11 and... Read more

The irony of the Age of Authenticity is that it’s reaction and rejection of mass society and the Age of Conformity/Obligation became itself another kind of conformity: what Andrew Root calls the “conquest of cool” and the quest for cool as the quest for authenticity. The irony? It was established and it flourished through mass marketing. Wow, chapter five of his book Faith Formation in a Secular Age is brilliant. That’s the big picture, now some fine tuning. The Beats and... Read more

From CT, The Exchange, an interview about my Open to the Spirit. Ed: You say that the secret to experiencing the Christian life is allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to live as God wants us to live. Why do you think so many Christians today are nervous and hesitant to open themselves up to the Spirit’s work? Scot: I see three types of hesitancy. First, some lack knowledge or education about the Holy Spirit. Some Christians come of age... Read more

This is no more than a book notice, as I have only read the introduction, conclusion, and dipped — some shallow and some deep — into other chapters. The book is by Darel E. Paul and it is called From Tolerance to Equality and the subtitle tells the story of the book: How Elites Brought America to Same-Sex Marriage. Anyone who is writing or studying or deeply interested in the politics of this subject will need to read this book carefully. Every... Read more

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen. BCP Read more

From Dan Meyer, pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook, a church, pastor and staff valued by Northern Seminary: Dear Friends, In light of the allegations now swirling around the former senior pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church AND the larger national movement drawing needed attention to the stories of women treated in harmful ways, this message comes to inform you that Christ Church will not serve as a host site for the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) this coming... Read more

A busy week for me with a speaking event in Atlanta, but here are some meanderings for your Saturday coffee or tea. The recent Wheaton Conference, written up by a few and very disappointing in lack of resolution, included this fantastic speech by Mark Labberton from Fuller and here’s the opening: What draws us together here—and in hope—is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  God’s great love and mercy poured out for the sake of the world is deeper, wider, stronger,... Read more

https://soundcloud.com/user-212639123/jesus-creed-part-2-kr-90 Read more

From AP: LONDON (AP) — The father of terminally ill toddler Alfie Evans said Thursday that he would work with doctors to give his son “dignity and comfort,” as he called for a truce in a divisive case that has pitted doctors and the British courts against Alfie’s parents, Christian groups and the pope. Tom Evans, 21, appealed for privacy “for everyone concerned,” saying he would no longer make statements or give interviews about his son’s case. “Our lives have... Read more

By Mike Glenn Of all of the members of the animal kingdom, human beings are born almost helpless at birth. While most animals are self-sufficient a few hours or days from birth, humans spend almost one quarter of their lives getting prepared for life on their own. In our defense, however, adult humans have to deal with a complex social structure that defines our lives. Most animals need to learn one of two things: how to run fast to catch... Read more