Lighting the 4th Advent Candle

Last updated on: December 24, 2006 at 2:30 am By Scot McKnight

Fourth Sunday of Advent Today we relight the first three candles of the Advent Wreath — the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY. Now we light the fourth candle of Advent. This is the candle of LOVE. |inline Read more

Laura’s class

Last updated on: December 24, 2006 at 2:20 am By Scot McKnight

Every year at Christmastime Laura invites Kris and me to her 1st grade classroom for her international holiday luncheon with her students and parents. Since Laura’s class has 15 ethnic groups represented, each is asked to bring a dish representing their country and it becomes a universal meal. Before it got underway, I snatched a few looks at my blog to make sure everyone was behaving. Here are some pictures: |inline Read more

Praying with the Church

Last updated on: December 24, 2006 at 2:10 am By Scot McKnight

For Ben, for his health, for his wife, and for peace. Lord, hear our prayer. For Michael Scolare, for another return to health — and for Kris and the kids and the church. Lord, hear our prayer. For Becky, for wisdom for doctors, and healing to her whole body. Lord, hear our prayers. Read more

Marko, One for Us

Last updated on: December 23, 2006 at 2:20 am By Scot McKnight

Is that cookie really worth a 17-minute run? Associated Press Posted Friday, December 22, 2006 |inline Read more

Weekly Meanderings

Last updated on: December 23, 2006 at 2:10 am By Scot McKnight

You may need a handkerchief to get through this one. Thanks Bob. Luke’s got a nice series on emerging going. |inline Read more

Friday is for Friends

Last updated on: December 22, 2006 at 2:30 am By Scot McKnight

Friends, we might need to remind ourselves, talk about the inner life, and nothing is more “inner” than a wounded self — a person who has been damaged to the core by wrongdoing. Miroslav Volf’s The End of Memory (chp. 4) discusses the wounded self and healed memories. |inline Read more

Mary at 13

Last updated on: December 22, 2006 at 2:20 am By Scot McKnight

Marko has posted on The Real Mary with a very clever twist. The standard theory, which I espouse, is that Mary immediately realized that being pregnant before consummation with Joseph was a No-No that could jeopardize her life, her son’s life, and Joseph’s honor. So, the standard view is that Mary’s faith was courageous. Marko has another idea: |inline Read more

Earth-filling Love

Last updated on: December 22, 2006 at 2:10 am By Scot McKnight

I love these words: “The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees” (119:64). |inline Read more

The God Hypothesis 4

Last updated on: December 21, 2006 at 2:30 am By Scot McKnight

Chp 5 of Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion, contends that religion can be explained on the basis of natural selection. “What ultimately explains the lust for gods?” he asks (p. 169). Or, put in more Darwinian terms, “What is the primitively advantageous trait that sometimes misfires to generate religion?” (174) |inline Read more

After Jesus on CNN

Last updated on: December 21, 2006 at 2:20 am By Scot McKnight

Last evening CNN treated us to a 2-hour program on the development of Christianity from the time of Jesus to the Nicene Council (323 AD). There is plenty to like and probably plenty to disagree with. My questions today are: |inline Read more