In any discussion of homosexuality we need to set what the Bible says in context. Those statements come from contexts about covenant behaviors and sexuality in general, and the also come in the context of understanding what it means to be a “cracked Eikon” (sin) and just which biblical passages we choose to bring to the table. |inline Read more
Fewer texts have been used more than Matt 7:1: “do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Sometimes this text is used properly; other times it seems that Christian folks use the text to encourage all of us not to discern something good from bad, the beautiful from the ugly. The line is “I can’t be judgmental.” What do you think it means “not to judge”? |inline Read more
Kris and I were at the Covenant Church in Roseville, MN, Saturday and Sunday. We had two sessions on Jesus Creed on Saturday, and they straddled a wonderful home-made lasagna dinner for all of us. The pastors, Rick Carlson and Paul Erickson, are salt of the earth pastors working with salt of the earth Christians. Sunday morning I taught on Embracing Grace. It was nice to see some former North Parkers (Emily, Jessie, and Jake) show up, and we are... Read more
Mike and Kathy Holmgren are huge supporters of North Park University, but it was especially difficult for me to be happy for them when Mike was the coach of the Green Bay Packers. But, now that he is in Seattle, and now that the Bears are hibernating until Spring, we have to offer our congratulations to Mike and Kathy. Here we are with them in the press room before the media was permitted in — Mike is relieved that he... Read more
Well, I begin with a story from my life. When I taught at TEDS, I regularly polled my students by reading essays and exams, and came to the conviction that the vast majority of the students were not pre-tribulationists. They seemed to be post-tribulationists in the main. But, when they got into the pulpit, not being all that persuaded of either view, and finding a congregation of folks who read Scofield’s or Ryrie’s Study Bibles, they seemed to have simply... Read more
In the first class I ever taught I had a Scottish student named Peter Grant (God bless him). One day I told him that I grew up with a family friend, an Englishman, who, when he got stubborn, my parents would call a “Johnny Bull.” I asked Peter Grant when got mad at the Irish what he called them. He responded without a hesitation, “Ah Perfessor, I reckon ‘Irish’ is baad enuf.” Peter and I are Scots, so we can... Read more
Top billing this week goes to some good blogs I found this week dealing with themes surrounding the pursuit of social justice with respect to racism. Maurice Broaddus has some ongoing reflections on ontological blackness: part 1, part 2, part 3. |inline Read more
Kris and I had a wonderful dinner last night with some local students who are definitely interested in things emerging. We gathered at Firkin’s in Libertyville. We got to know one another some and had a nice dinner. I could say plenty, but I’m struck how often it comes up what seminary will look like in the emerging movement. |inline Read more
Here is a paper I gave at North Park last year, in which I explore an implication or two of the Italian Renaissance writings on education, in which I offer a mild case for their being a good canon of books that are worth reading for all college students. It is also available through the sidebar. I call it the Trojan Horse. Read more
What Jesus taught from watching birds has troubled me for some time. I wonder how you explain it. Before I say anything, let this question be asked because this is what troubles me: in what sense is it true that God provides for all those who trust in him by focusing on kingdom? What about the many Christians who starve or who die of nutrition or whose clothing is inadequate? Is it really so simple as (what the Germans call... Read more
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