Elaine Ecklund and Christopher Scheitle (Religion vs. Science: What Religious People Really Think) asked religious Americans about their impressions of scientific technology. On many issues (for example, social media technology), most Americans religious or not have similar opinions. The concerns are not particularly theological. When it comes to reproductive technologies the situation changes. There are distinct differences arising from religious beliefs and moral convictions. The reasons are theological, related to the sovereignty of God and his role as creator. Three... Read more

We turn in our reading of the patristics to Ignatius, who evidently wrote these letters on his march to Rome to be martyred — sometime during Trajan’s reign. We don’t know much about Ignatius until these letters and in the middle of his trip — somewhere around Philippi — the story of his life is lost. The tradition is that he died in Rome. In our series on the patristic writings, we use the text Michael Holmes, The Apostolic Fathers.... Read more

From the very beginning of the church singing was important to the fellowship. Though many have unbounded confidence in their theories of what happened in local church gatherings, it is wiser to say “we don’t know precisely what happened, but we do are pretty sure about some things.” One of the elements we are sure of is singing. (For my Churches of Christ friends, trigger warning — not all of this supports your splendid commitments!) Notice these: Mark 14:26    When... Read more

Today we relight the candle of HOPE. Now we light the candle for the second Sunday in Advent. This is the candle of PEACE. As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, we remember that Jesus is our hope and our peace. From the prophet Isaiah: “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6-7 From... Read more

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Read more

We are knee deep into winter around here; the term is all but over and I’m looking forward to classes this next term. Enjoy these meanderings! Rachel Denhollander: Lawyer and former gymnast Rachael Denhollander has been selected as Sports Illustrated‘s Inspiration of the Year. Denhollander was the first woman to publicly accuse former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar of sexual assault. Denhollander filed a federal lawsuit against Nassar at the U.S. District Court for the Western District fo Michigan. Two-hundered... Read more

 Description: A dissident is someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo of a culture, and the apocalypse by John is a challenge: the Dissident vs. Domitian! In this sermon I a big theme in Revelation for Christ the King Sunday. Read more

A Place to Start, by Mike Glenn Most of us have heard of the innkeeper in the Christmas story. Poor Mary, pregnant and tired, has been dragged to Bethlehem by Joseph because that’s where his family is from and according to Caesar Augustus, everyone had to go to their hometown to pay their taxes. When the couple arrives in Bethlehem, Mary finds out Joseph hasn’t called ahead for reservations. I bet that was a fun discussion… Anyway, the mean old... Read more

Many readers of this blog will remember our posts about Greg Boyd’s monster 2-volume The Crucifixion of the Warrior God. Then Greg — knowing no doubt that many didn’t want to read two big books — published a short version called The Cross Vision. Well, now there’s a magnificent study guide of The Cross Vision by Deacon Godsey, a Northern Seminary student, that has mastered both books and presented Boyd’s big ideas in accessible prose in a study guide format. The study guide... Read more

Denis Alexander is a molecular biologist and it is to the molecular basis of life that he turns in Chapter 3 of his book “Is There Purpose in Biology?” As a chemist, I find this chapter fascinating. Biology is nothing without chemistry. To set the stage: in chapter 1 Denis introduced a historical perspective on the discussion of purpose in biology, in chapter 2 he outlined the Grand Narrative of biology. The increase in complexity in undeniable, from early single-cell... Read more