When do we tame Jesus? when is the Jesus of the Gospels and the Jesus of our faith tamed? If spirituality is formation into Christlikeness then taming Jesus diminishes spiritual formation. Where has our formation been shortened by taming the Jesus toward whom we are to grow? Most of our taming of Jesus is invisible to us and most of it is unintentional. Some of it is intentional and some of it hidden because otherwise it would be too visible. But... Read more
Finding a New Start A Discussion with Scot McKnight Below is an online interview/dialogue on spiritual growth I had with Dr. Scot McKnight, a New Testament Professor at Northern Seminary and the author of Christianity Today’s Book of the Year, The Jesus Creed. This dialectic is offered both here and on Scot’s blog on Patheos.com) Brad: Honestly, I think many of us are stuck. I read a story about a family who had spent Thanksgiving in Seattle, Washington, and then began their long journey back to... Read more
Our world is athirst for the good news of the gospel, often without knowing it. But what is this good news and how do we pass it along? In chapter 4 of Vanishing Grace Philip Yancey looks at ways that we as God’s people can reclaim the good news and pass it on. This chapter is worth some thought and some conversation. First we have to ask the question – What is the good news? Yancey’s take here may surprise... Read more
In his suggestive probing of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on a scent for the impact of DB’s own ministry to youth, Andrew Root discovers that DB’s theology was shaped by his ministry to youth. All found in Andrew Root, Bonhoeffer as Youth Worker. Which leads to a question many of us have perhaps asked: When dare we introduce youth to Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship and Life Together? Or perhaps, Can they comprehend him at that age? My own experience comes into this one: I... Read more
From Forbes: Read more
The issue can be settled into two terms: the Bible teaches truth but it does not teach the path. These two terms are Bonhoeffer’s and emerged from the intense discussions in the Confessing Church on whether their pastors should pursue legalization under Hitler or remain “illegal” and dependent on free will offerings by the parishes that called them and would support them. The debate was about what the Bible tells us about. Here are Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s salient words about the... Read more
As of this writing, the picture to the left has had 109,000 shares on Facebook. There’s a joke here and an underlying message. Occasionally you and I—when really pressed by foolish people—can justify throwing fits, losing our tempers and potentially thumping those in the wrong because Jesus was a fit-throwing, temper losing, whip wielding combatant dedicated to truth, justice and the severe beatings of foolish people. Among others who could be cited, Jeffrey K. Mann, Associate Professor of Religious Studies... Read more
If I could convince ordinary Bible readers of one thing it would be this: look up those Bible references in your Bible’s cross-referencing notes. They are not only a goldmine but the result of lots and lots of work, and they are designed to help Bible readers see that the NT authors knew they were taking up space in a long, long story. Take, for instance, Mark 11:1-11 (bottom of post), the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey.... Read more
This set of images comes from a wonderful article by James Bryan Smith, at Friends University and with Apprentice Institute, and illustrates the differences of reading the Bible for information vs formation or reading the Bible vs being read by the Bible: Read more
O God, Whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and... Read more
Jesus Creed
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