This sermon by Jason Micheli For the last 18 months, according to the Principalities and Powers, this Tuesday’s election was supposed to be the most important event in our lifetimes if not in history, an odd and hyperbolic claim for Christians to accept given that the only democratic election portrayed in the Gospels is when we choose Barrabbas over Jesus.      Christians are right to be passionate about the candidates causes for whom they advocated; likewise, Christians are right... Read more

There are plenty of attempts to find atonement theories that avoid the barbarisms of some penal substitution (PSA) proponents, but avoiding PSA altogether is unavoidable. Here’s what it claims: 1. Humans sin. 2. Sin has serious, ultimate consequences before God. 3. The consequence of sin, its punishment, is death. 4. Jesus died to bear (and bear away) the consequences of sin (and sin). 5. Christians proclaim the forgiveness of sins through the death of Jesus. There is only one way... Read more

By Kevin Maney, who received his PhD from the University of Toledo in Curriculum and Instruction, majoring in educational technology and minoring in educational leadership. He completed his studies for a Diploma in Anglican Studies at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, and did his coursework almost entirely online. He was ordained as a transitional deacon in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) on February 9, 2008 and as a priest in CANA on May 1, 2008.... Read more

By Rachel Elizabeth Asproth graduated from Bethel University with a BA in English literature and reconciliation studies in 2015. She is currently the editor of the CBE Scroll and Arise. Her chief passions are reading, writing, social justice, theatre, and travel. She spends most of her time scouring thrift stores for new books and taking advantage of her student discount at the Orpheum Theatre. Rachel currently lives in New Brighton, MN. In a recent Arise article, Amy Buckley recounted an exchange between... Read more

Systematic has classically (and now inevitably) organized the systematic theology of the Christian faith into these topics: (Scripture and only then) God, humans (or man), Christ, sin, salvation, the church/ecclesiology and eschatology. For some this is what Christians believe, and some don’t even recognize this choice and ordering of topics to be a reconstructive endeavor. It is the tradition. It is not the Bible. This is not how our God chose to reveal his message to us. The gravity of this... Read more

Irv Leavitt: A Northbrook woman who waited a 108-year lifetime for a Cubs championship died after it finally happened. Mabel Ball, born the year the Cubs had last won the World Series, died Tuesday at Covenant Village of Northbrook. “The cruel irony, the almost unbelievable irony, is that the person who waits and waits and waits, after it happens, says, ‘I’ve done what I’ve got to do, and I’m out of here,'” her son Rich, 75, of Oak Park, said.... Read more

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. BCP Read more

AJ Perez reports about Gerald McCoy’s act of forgiveness: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy told reporters on Thursday that he forgave the teen who broke in his house last week, a burglary that left McCoy’s father with a broken wrist. “I forgive you,” McCoy said. A 17-year-old male allegedly broke into McCoy’s house in New Tampa hours before the Buccaneers faced the Atlanta Falcons in a Thursday night game on Nov. 3. The intruder pulled a handgun on Gerald McCoy... Read more

Fun Facts about redheads, from USAToday: To help celebrate, here are nine fun facts about redheads: The highest concentration of redheads is in Scotland (13%) followed by Ireland (10%). Worldwide, only 2% of people have red hair. People with red hair are likely more sensitive to pain. This is because the gene mutation (MC1R) that causes red hair is on the same gene linked to pain receptors. It also means redheads usually need more anesthesia for dental and medical procedures.... Read more

Personal Thoughts, by John Frye Scot McKnight is posting about The Day the Revolution Began, the latest book by scholar-historian-pastor N. T. Wright. I have read the book and found it fascinating, accessible, and courageous. Wright even admits that as he was writing the book, he reconsidered some of his own positions and changed them as he diligently examined the sacred text. Disagreeing with many who promote a traditional (Reformation-informed) view of the atonement as expressed in Romans 3:21-26, Wright... Read more