The first two heresies were about who Christ is/was. The next two are about how the divine and the human nature are related. The first concerned Nestorius and Theotokos, the God-bearer. The next heresy is from Eutyches and Eutychianism or Monophysitism. All of this is discussed at an excellent level by B. Quash and M. Ward, Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe . In essence (that’s a pun), Eutychianism teaches that Jesus has only... Read more
Here are the characteristics of the Facebook Generation (via Fr Rob). What do you think? 1. All ideas compete on an equal footing. 2. Contribution counts for more than credentials. 3. Hierarchies are natural, not prescribed. 4. Leaders serve rather than preside. 5. Tasks are chosen, not assigned. 6. Groups are self-defining and -organizing. 7. Resources get attracted, not allocated. 8. Power comes from sharing information, not hoarding it. 9. Opinions compound and decisions are peer-reviewed. 10. Users can veto... Read more
We will look this week at James 1:22-25, and I want to begin by quoting these most important of verses: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently... Read more
The gospel is my focus in study and research these days, and the subject of most my extra lectures I’m giving at various places, and I want to post two definitions of the gospel I’ve recently seen. How do you “define” the gospel? Here’s a first option, which I’ve slightly edited, and one that is becoming more and more a way articulating the gospel for some: “The gospel is not a call to follow Christ’s example or his teachings. It... Read more
The gospel is my focus in study and research these days, and the subject of most my extra lectures I’m giving at various places, and I want to post two definitions of the gospel I’ve recently seen. How do you “define” the gospel? Here’s a first option, which I’ve slightly edited, and one that is becoming more and more a way articulating the gospel for some: “The gospel is not a call to follow Christ’s example or his teachings. It... Read more
Here is a good conversation starter; something I think should be asked of every ministry spouse. How do you [as a ministry spouse] introduce yourself? When you are at church, do you introduce yourself as, “the pastor’s wife” or as “your name”? How do you identify yourself, and how do you settle into other people’s expectations for your identity? Recently, I was with several people visiting and socializing in the church foyer after services. I was aware that there was... Read more
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Read more
Chicago’s Spring evokes hope! A friend of mine, Dana Del George, has a new book for children whose parents are divorced. Take a good look at it: The Queen of Fire and the King of Ice . A blog worth watching: Practicing Church. Yowza, this is awful.The Pete Enss WTS saga continues. The lines are being drawn for splitting up the evangelical movement and collapsing the coalition.Karl Barth, online, free. (Is this link working?)Tony weighs on the Book Expo.Tim Keel’s... Read more
Michael W. Smith song? My favorite is Kentucky Rose. Read more
James reveals an early, if not the earliest, early Christian (post Jesus) understanding of “new birth” and “spiritual formation.” Notice how James thinks the community is to be formed spiritually: “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (1:21). Notice that James urges that the messianists develop a disposition toward God’s word: humility and receptivity and vulnerability. It might be called “let it” disposition: let it do what it can do by letting it do what it... Read more
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