Every Spring a book or two appears contesting the resurrection or the atonement, so it is not surprising Advent shows a similar questioning of orthodox Christian faith about Jesus’ birth. Andrew Lincoln published a book questioning the virginal conception, and Larry Hurtado gives the book an appreciative summary and review, including this clip: Andrew Lincoln, a respected NT scholar (former President of the British NT Society), most recently serving as Portland Professor of New Testament in the University of Gloucestershire,... Read more

Dear Mr Photographer, move before this happens. Elks aren’t pets. Patrick Mitchel proposes the NT is “gender lite” — I like it! I have a confession. I don’t really ‘get’ Christian single sex get togethers – whether Women’s Conferences (admittedly have only been to these in drag) or Men’s Conferences (been to some, never really enjoyed them) or to a lesser degree, men’s or women’s ministry meetings of various sorts. While you can’t make the NT a blueprint for every... Read more

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By Benjamin Corey: Go to the link to see Corey’s context and explanations for each claim. While this isn’t all comprehensive, based upon my own experience, here’s my list: 10 reasons why I think reading your Bible more frequently will make you a more Progressive Christian: 1. The more I read my Bible, the more I realize that I don’t have it all together. 2. The more I read my Bible, the more I develop humility. 3. The more I read... Read more

By John Frye Peter had to meet Cornelius; not just so Cornelius could hear the message of salvation in Jesus, but so Peter could be liberated from the enculturation of his faith (Acts 10). Cornelius receives Peter with expectant joy. Peter arrives with deep-seated, Jewish trepidation. Peter blurts out, “It’s against our law for me to be here!” I like being in Ukraine because I am immersed for a time in a different culture. My experiences in Ukraine make me... Read more

Source A former stray dog has pulled himself up by the bootstraps and created a better life for himself. A life that includes becoming the first dog ever to climb Mount Everest. Say hello to Rupee, the formerly homeless pup who was found starving in a dump in India. His owner, Joanne Lefson, rescued him and helped nurse him back to health, feeding him a high protein diet of boiled eggs and rice, the Daily Mail reports. Now, Rupee is strong, healthy and capable... Read more

From Jon Merritt, a revealing report. This report from Jon has made me renew my commitment to women — beginning at the local church and moving out. Is the Christian conference industry sexist? I’ve attended or spoken at many Christian conferences over the years and most had either an exclusively male speaker list or were male-dominated. But I haven’t encountered them all or even most of the major ones. So I decided to survey some of the biggest Christian conferences in... Read more