From CBE By Kat Armas On November 16, 2017 I recently went public with my egalitarian beliefs. I admit, it took a while. Coming from a complementarian tradition, I knew that such a major shift in ideology would not be taken lightly. I expected questions, disapproval, and debates. Needless to say, I was right. It wasn’t taken lightly. Since publicly changing my views, I’ve had a lot of conversations about egalitarian theology with complementarian Christians. Conversations with a tad more progressive complementarians typically... Read more

What was the turning point in Martin Luther’s personal and theological life? The most common understanding is that the turning point was his discovery of justification by faith, with emphasis by most on justification.  Richard Rex contends, No, it was about “by faith” and the crucial difference in Luther’s life occurs in 1518 (not earlier) and has to do with certainty of salvation or a certain standing in a state of grace. That is, Luther was certain that he was saved. All of... Read more

In her new introduction to theologians and their methods book, Introducing Theological Method: A Survey of Contemporary Theologians and Approaches, Mary Veeneman, contends we need to ask three questions about how theology is done — and she’s right. We need books like this that describe how theologians do their theology, and we need books that distinguish one’s method from another’s method. 1. What are the primary sources for theological reflection? Some theologians will argue that the biblical text alone should inform... Read more

Kris, who found most of this week’s links, and I are in Boston at the Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting. We look forward to coffee today with our friend Lucy Peppiatt. Christian Wiman, on joy, a good sample of why Wiman deserves to be read: “Joy is the present tense, with the whole emphasis on the present,” writes Kierkegaard. This is accurate insofar as it accords with the feeling of joy, which can banish all the retrospective and anticipatory mental... Read more

Atonement Theory Webinar What you think about God and the gospel are found in what you think of atonement. Ever wish you could understand the atonement better? Ever wish you could teach the atonement more clearly to your congregation? Ever wish to clear up the caustic language people use about atonement? I want to help.  I’m doing a webinar on the atonement that will help your church embrace the rich and vibrant images that come from the atonement. Over the centuries... Read more

There are two things to consider: first, that bundles of Christians are abandoning evangelicalism because it is argued evangelicalism is a recent development in the church and, second, that evangelicalism is out of sync with historic, creedal, orthodox Christian beliefs. What about development of doctrine in the church? Is it only found among evangelicals? Or is this found also in Catholics and the Orthodox? By the way, in this slot on Fridays normally John Frye posts for us but he’s... Read more

https://soundcloud.com/user-212639123/how-to-teach-the-church-to-read-the-bible-questions-edition-part-2-kr-71 Read more

Mark Galli: The Nashville Statement addresses a burning issue of our day: human sexuality. The social and political pressures to deny the biblical teaching on God’s intent for our sexuality are immense, and we believe the statement’s creators clearly grasp the need to stand firm. This is not merely an ethical debate about what one can and cannot do in the bedroom; in fact, on this issue rest crucial aspects of the doctrine of Scripture and theological anthropology. Unfortunately, in attempting to... Read more

I recently received a copy of an intriguing book (due out next week) courtesy the publisher. Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design brings together leading proponents of Young Earth Creationism (Ken Ham), Old Earth Creationism (Hugh Ross), Evolutionary Creationism (Deborah Haarsma) and Intelligent Design (Stephen Meyer).  Each is given the opportunity to express their own view and to respond to the essays provided by the others. Within the necessary length constraints each contributor was encouraged to put forth... Read more