Evangelicalism’s Political Sin

Last updated on: March 22, 2012 at 7:25 pm By Scot McKnight

It happened under Reagan, and it is American evangelicalism’s political sin. When evangelicalism aligns itself with a political party, which happened under Reagan (I call it “Reaganology”), it seals its doom as a credible gospel witness. We are beginning to reap what we sowed. From Reuters: (Reuters) – Americans are increasingly uneasy with the mingling of religion and politics, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center, in the midst of a campaign season punctuated by tussles... Read more

In an Instant or Not?

Last updated on: March 25, 2012 at 9:08 pm By Scot McKnight

Protestants argue that humans are instantaneously transformed at death/at the judgment into a condition — let’s call it holiness and love — that is fit for dwelling with God in God’s perfect kingdom. It is unclear for most Protestants how this happens, but it does happen. Put differently, Protestants react against any notion that there is a period during which this transformation occurs. Catholics, on the other hand, believe in purgatory and see it as the time during which God... Read more

Business People 6 (Michael Kruse)

Last updated on: March 25, 2012 at 9:06 pm By Scot McKnight

Today we continue with John Knapp’s How the Church Fails Businesspeople (and what can be done about it). We turn now to Chapter 6, “A Moral Theology of Work.” The business environment can often present significant ethical challenges. Where might we begin as we think about ethical behavior? Knapp suggests a good place to start is with Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,... Read more

Quite the Duet Here!

Last updated on: March 25, 2012 at 6:21 pm By Scot McKnight

Gas Prices — how do they work?

Last updated on: March 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm By Scot McKnight

From AP: NEW YORK (AP) – Watching the numbers on the gas pump tick ever higher can boil the blood and lead the mind to wonder: Why are gasoline prices so high? Many stand accused, including oil companies, the president, Congress, and speculators on Wall Street. Others assume that the earth is just running out of oil. The reality, economists say, is fairly simple, but it isn’t very satisfying for a driver looking for someone to blame for his $75... Read more

Sunday Tats for Tatfans

Last updated on: March 19, 2012 at 7:24 am By Scot McKnight

This post doesn’t always know the difference between Bible and otherwise, but there are some tats here that some might like … Which is your favorite tat here? Some people like to get tattooed themselves with Psalms and verses. If you specifically like certain lines, then you could get them inked. You have to decide for yourself. Some of the lines listed below instill faith in the Almighty. A few of them will boost your morale in times of distress.... Read more

Wandering Minds

Last updated on: March 19, 2012 at 7:11 am By Scot McKnight

A wandering mind indicates a good memory… I like that! From Orion Jones: What’s the Latest Development? Resent research suggests that mind wandering is associated with good working memory, itself a measure of intelligence, reading comprehension and IQ score. The new study, published in Psychological Science, asked individuals to perform routine tasks and monitored how often their minds wandered. Later, scientists measured each person’s working memory and found that people with better memories were also more likely to have a roaming... Read more

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Last updated on: March 2, 2012 at 6:15 am By Scot McKnight

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Read more

Scientists Unite!

Last updated on: March 19, 2012 at 7:19 am By Scot McKnight

From David Hill: Academic research is behind bars and an online boycott by 8,209 researchers (and counting) is seeking to set it free…well, more free than it has been. The boycott targets Elsevier, the publisher of popular journals like Cell and The Lancet, for its aggressive business practices, but opposition was electrified by Elsevier’s backing of a Congressional bill titled the Research Works Act (RWA). Though lesser known than the other high-profile, privacy-related bills SOPA and PIPA, the act was slated to reverse the Open Access Policy enacted... Read more

Divorce-Proofing a Marriage

Last updated on: March 19, 2012 at 7:10 am By Scot McKnight

Here’s a news item by Kathy Benjamin on stats and divorce, and each has a short explanation at the site: 1. Quit Smoking 2. Take Up Optometry 3. Share Chores 4. Live in a Blue State 5. Hang Out With People Who Aren’t Divorced 6. Marry Someone You Met at School 7. Have Sons Read more

What is the Jewish festival celebrating the giving of the Law at Sinai?