“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” (more…) Read more
Yesterday a young man wrote to ask why I thought so many people are attracted to the preaching and teaching of Mark “Stop Looking At My Hair” Driscoll. And really: stop looking at his hair. A faux-hawk is certainly a legitimate hairstyle choice. Especially for a pastor! Why, it’s like it’s trying to pull his whole head up to heaven. Anyway, I’ve several times been asked about Mr. Driscoll’s popularity, and so thought I’d take a moment to venture an... Read more
This morning John Shelby Spong was kind enough to write and send me this: John Shore is a gadfly, calling the Christian Church everywhere to act the way it says it believes about love and justice, which of course makes him an uncomfortable presence in those churches that do not like to be forced to face reality. So were the prophets of old. So was Jesus of Nazareth. (more…) Read more
Right there, in front of all sixteen of us, Etta James became Etta James. Read more
As you may know, this past summer the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) decided to allow the ordination of gay clergy. Yesterday a new Presbyterian denomination was born: the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians—or, for short, ECO. (As opposed to echo, which is a hollow, after-the-fact, ever-diminishing noise. So, you know—it’s not that.) ECO was formed by pastors and laypeople in response to PCUSA’s decision to join the 21st century. They’re against gay people being ordained as ministers, and so started their... Read more
A few nights ago I got in this letter about Tim Tebow: This year, many Christians I know have been thrilled by Tim Tebow and his well-publicized Christianity. I don’t have any problem with that. However, some of them have taken it a step further, and implied or stated that God is looking favorably upon the Broncos because of this. (more…) Read more
In the comments section to my recent post, An Open Letter From Christians to Gay People, a guy showed up using the screen name “The Word.” Here is most of what “The Word” wrote: I’m a Christian. I strive towards becoming Christ like in all aspects of my life. But I fail; I fail miserably and am no where near perfect. I have sinned; I should go to hell. So should you, and you, and you as well. Humanity is... Read more
“If you have wondered if there really can be meaning to this life, come and see. If you ache with a pain that soaks up any good feelings, come and see. If you are deliriously happy, content, and full beyond compare, come and see.” (more…) Read more
About a year ago, under the title Toward a Christianity of Common Sense, I published a 16-point articulation of a Christian theology that, to me, makes sense. I only (if carefully, with input on it from the best pastors, theologians, and Christian layperson I know) wrote it because I couldn’t find anything like it. The response to the document was such that I felt a moral obligation to start at least some kind of online group, or collective, or something,... Read more
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