Dear Krista, Your question is a good one, and it is one that has haunted my own academic career for more than twenty years. Here’s your question: “how one should react to those preaching the traditional Romans road– especially at Bible Camps or other distinct Christian functions? Moreover, should that teaching be discouraged?” Put abstractly, is the summons to salvation distinct from the summons to discipleship? Well, there’s lots here, so let me give it a bit of a whirl.... Read more
“Hostile to the church, friendly to Jesus Christ.” These words describe large numbers of people, especially young people, today. They are opposed to anything which savors of institutionalism. They detest the establishment and its entrenched privileges. And they reject the church — not without some justification — because they regard it as impossibly corrupted by such evils. Who do you think said this? [No googling answers.] |inline Read more
As you know, Kris and I are practitioners of fixed-hour prayer, what I call “sacred rhythms.” And you may recall that we practice mostly with Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours. Which, owing to the weight and size of the volumes, creates a problem when we travel. Until now. |inline Read more
If I were a seminary President, the first person I’d appoint as professor-pastor- sage would be John Koenig. John Koenig, built like Abe Lincoln, is a rare combination of Episcopal priest, New Testament scholar, anabaptist character, and gentle spirit — not to mention Elisabeth, his gracious wife who is a scholar herself. I have known John for years, but a couple years back we had dinner together and I have become an admirer of his wisdom. And my admiration begins... Read more
Printers Row is a historic neighborhood on the south side of Chicago’s Loop. It is also now the name of a marvelous book fair, which is held early in June each year. Last Saturday Owen Youngman, VP at the Chicago Tribune, hosted both John Wilson, of Books and Culture, probably the most widely read person I know, and me at a public forum on Finding Faith. |inline Read more
God be in my head and in my understanding. God be in mine eyes and in my looking. God be in my mouth and in my speaking. God be in my heart and in my thinking. God be at mine end and in my departing. Sarum Primer, 1527 Read more
The following outline was used for my talk at the Spiritual Formation Forum in Milwaukee last week. My week was more hectic than I wanted — owing to about five things happening at once, not the least of which was major house repairs, and so was unable to attend the whole forum. Next year I hope to. But, this is my outline. My central thesis, which I outlined in Embracing Grace, is that a theory of spiritual formation is at... Read more
Now we come to the third model of worship in James B. Torrance, Worship, Community & The Triune God of Grace. We looked at the Unitarian and the Existentialist, and today we look at the Trinitarian model. |inline Read more
I’m considering where to go next with our Bible studies … either a short series on Missional Jesus or a longer one on Colossians. But, instead of a Bible study (I’ll get it going next Monday), I’d like to ask you to pray for Steve McCoy’s wife, Molly. Here is her story with Chiari Malformation: |inline 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
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