Why the Neanderthals Died Out…

Last updated on: March 11, 2013 at 4:34 am By Scot McKnight

From The Atlantic: The dinosaurs, per the popular theory, were done in by an object fitting to their size and splendor: an asteroid. But what about those other earthly old-timers, the Neanderthals? How did they meet their collective fate? According to a new proposal, they were done in by objects considerably less celestial than an asteroid, and also considerably more adorable: bunnies. Per the hypothesis, proposed by John Fa of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and published in theJournal of Human Evolution, small game... Read more

Marriage Tension: Chores

Last updated on: March 11, 2013 at 4:33 am By Scot McKnight

From WENDY KLEIN, CAROLINA IZQUIERDO, & THOMAS N. BRADBURY: Insightful. Couples are composed of individuals who coordinate their behaviors in relation to one another. In working families—where both adults work outside the home and raise school-aged children—the challenge of coordinating behaviors to meet family needs is especially great. The emotional tone of family life pivots to a significant degree on the extent to which family members negotiate and enact effective strategies for contending with the numerous tasks encountered in their daily... Read more

Legalism: Old and New Perspectives

Last updated on: March 11, 2013 at 4:33 am By Scot McKnight

Over the years my own thinking about legalism has become more nuanced but I want to map out what legalism is in the context of the New Testament. After years of teaching Galatians and pondering legalism in Paul’s mind, I’m convinced many get confused about what the word “legalism” means. Thus, folks say “That’s legalism!” So some rubble needs to be cleared out first. Recently I’ve seen the word “legalism” referred to the commands of Jesus in the Sermon on... Read more

On the Way to the Cross 5

Last updated on: March 10, 2013 at 6:23 pm By Scot McKnight

Mary and Peter, on the way to the cross, had to learn first that it was the cross that was coming — and that meant unlearning that the expectations and anticipations would be jolted with an utterly new reality. God’s saving ways revealed on the cross. John 2. Mary is evidently held responsible for the flagging wine at a wedding. She approaches Jesus with some serious implications that Jesus ought to be able to do something about it. Jesus’ words... Read more

One more time: The Bible in Public Schools

Last updated on: March 10, 2013 at 8:07 am By Scot McKnight

I posted yesterday a clip from Jon Merritt’s forthright stand against the teaching of the Bible in public schools. I disagree for a few reasons: I see the Bible in a public conversation to be a good thing since it will enhance the reading of the Bible; students are mostly sharp enough not simply to believe whatever a teacher in a public school might teach; this will generate more conversations between parents and their children about the Bible; this will... Read more

The Religious Nones, Another Look

Last updated on: March 10, 2013 at 1:23 pm By Scot McKnight

Brad Wright, a professor of sociology at UMass, observes something that might be surprising about growth in the Nones — read the whole article: Once again, the percentage of being unaffiliated increased in each group, but relatively speaking, it’s increased most among the middle-aged and the elderly. In both the percentage of the unaffiliated more than tripled, compared to the 2.5x increase in the young. There is some lagged effect, as the elderly are catching up the middle-aged in the... Read more

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Last updated on: March 3, 2013 at 6:25 am By Scot McKnight

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Read more

Bible in Public Schools?

Last updated on: March 5, 2013 at 11:26 am By Scot McKnight

Jonathan Merritt says No, what say You? On Sunday night, the long awaited mini-series “The Bible” premiered on the History Channel. Produced by reality TV mogul Mark Burnett of “Survivor” fame and former “Touched by an Angel” star Roma Downey in an effort to dramatize key stories from Scripture, the series is already being embraced by Christians nationwide. After all, when is the last time “Hagar” was trending on twitter? Two days before the first episode aired, however, the couple penned a controversial opinion column in The Wall Street... Read more

A 70’s Picture

Last updated on: March 5, 2013 at 9:35 am By Scot McKnight

Nothing like the 70s. Read more

Weekly Meanderings, March 9, 2013

Last updated on: March 8, 2013 at 8:01 pm By Scot McKnight

A pastor-friend, Mark Stevens, is leading his congregation for a year in living the Jesus Creed. This is the banner they are using. Jonathan Storment: “A few years ago I was talking with a man who was a professional conflict mediator who had worked with Presidents and international government officials. He had helped nations resolve international conflicts bordering on war, but if you asked him who was the hardest assignment, he wouldn’t blink an eye before he told you, “That’s easy…Churches” There’s... Read more

Who was called out of Ur to go to a land God would show him?