Prayer is not only hard for most Christians, it is discouraging to be reminded of the importance of prayer. Sometimes it is a scolding preacher and other times nothing more than the word of someone who seems so good at prayer. A few years ago I became convinced that one of the major reasons prayer is hard is because we rely too much upon ourselves. Instead of relying upon our own ideas, our own words, and our own energies there... Read more
CHICAGO – Bears football practice was delayed nearly two hours this morning after a player reported finding an unknown, white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Lovie Smith immediately suspended practice while police and federal agents were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance, unknown to the players, was the goal line. Practice was resumed this afternoon after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again. Read more
How do you define spirituality? In Evan Howard’s new book, Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, The (Brazos Introduction), we get an opening chp that is devoted to this discussion. Here are his central claims: (more…) Read more
We are committed to fighting racism on the Jesus Creed blog, and that means reviewing the best books available today about racism. This series deals with the subject of how Christian theology has been gripped by racism … and we are hoping this series can “loosen the grip.” The post today is by Mary Veeneman, professor of theology at North Park University. She has a fascinating and informed approach to the next chp in Carter’s book. The big question Dr.... Read more
We arrive today at one of the most widely-cited texts on the meaning of the word “gospel” — to 1 Corinthians 15:1-8: 1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as... Read more
I was recently asked what my top five books on Christian ethics would be … well, without parameters I thought I’d give five that span the spectrum. A good anabaptist approach, written for an upper level college student, graduate student or seminary student, is Stanley Hauerwas, The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics . My favorite anabaptist study of ethics, focusing on the non-violent message and vision of Jesus, is John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus . David... Read more
This is my response to our friend whose letter we posted Monday. Instead of making it a direct letter to him, I’m responding to the folks who are upset about what he has done … Dear Alarmed Evangelicals, First, your pastor is not alone today; an increasing number of evangelical Christians moved into the Democratic camp this election. That’s a fact. I believe Republicans and conservative Christians need to ask why this is happening and not write it off as... Read more
If you are working at crossing ethnic lines, or if you are frustrated with stereotypes, Eric Bryant’s new book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, is a book I highly recommend. And especially if you work with youth — this book is even better. Bryant ministers at Mosaic in East LA (with Erwin McManus). Eric Bryant, who once tried to be a stand up comic and didn’t make it, is a comedic writer… this book is filled with... Read more
We are looking at the meaning of “gospel” in 1 Corinthians. What does Paul mean by the word “gospel”? If we want to be faithful to the Story of the Bible it means being faithful to the whole Story of the Bible. Too many today want to be faithful to Jesus’ use of the word “gospel” and ignore Paul; too many also want to be faithful to Paul but ignore what Jesus said. Our hope is to frame the gospel... Read more
Here’s our grandson dressed in a sports jersey. Which team? Do you know? Read more
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