Darren Wilson’s book explores what it means to have a personal relationship to God and, more importantly, what it means for God to have a personal relationship to us. This is the best of evangelical popular theology taken to its theological and experiential conclusions. Read more
Thank God that we can “know” God; but thank God also that God is shrouded in unfathomable mystery. In the liveliness of faith, we need both intimacy and prophetic distance. Read more
Lectionary Reflections for Pentecost 10 — July 28, 2013 Texts: Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-15; Luke 11:1-13 Today’s readings are profoundly theocentric in their proclamation of a universal God for whom the affairs of humans and nations are of significance. The readings also present the many faces of God – as challenger, restorer, enemy, parent, and transformer. The God of Hosea is morally ambiguous, destroying and demeaning as a prelude to new creation. The Psalmist images God as the source of national restoration. ... Read more
[This post is part of a roundtable conversation on the new book, Resurrection Year by Sheridan Voysey, now featured at the Patheos Book Club.] Sheridan Voysey’s Resurrection Year is a testament to faith and honesty. It opens the door for faithful Christians to take theology seriously and go beyond the rote recitation of “orthodox” doctrines, especially when time after time our prayers remain unanswered. Author Madeleine L’Engle describes a question she once received following a lecture at a Christian college. ... Read more
The Adventurous Lectionary – Pentecost 9 – July 21, 2013 Texts: Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Today’s readings abound in possibilities, including the possibility that we will suffer serious consequences if we deviate from God’s vision of Shalom. According to the readings from Psalms and Amos, there is both a promise and threat in our relationship with God. Openness to God’s vision opens us to lively and transformative energies and contributes to the healing the world. Closing... Read more
Lectionary Reflections for Pentecost 8 – July 14, 2013 It has been said that the prophetic task involves agitating the comfortable and comforting the agitated. This is surely the case in today’s lectionary readings. Just ten days beyond the Fourth of July, these readings challenge our personal and national priorities and pretentions, and our temptation to subvert justice and care for the vulnerable for the sake of our economic and national well-being. The church, even the liberal church, is often... Read more
Here are some spiritual practices for experiencing the holy amidst the nation's fireworks. Read more
The central question for pastor, congregants, and the congregation as a whole is: Are our choices and behaviors opening us and others to Christ or are they standing in the way of God’s generously given abundance? Read more
Today’s scriptures assert that God’s realm promises great things, and asks us to be persistent and focused in our quest to be faithful; we may have to let go of familiar relationships and comforts to awaken to the wonders God has in store for us. Sacrifice is essential to living faith, and our sacrifices open us to surprising powers and possibilities. Read more
Lectionary Reflections for the Fifth Sunday in Pentecost – June 23, 2013 I Kings 19:1-4, 8-15a; Psalm 42 and 43; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39 Questions that Change the World “What are you doing here?” God’s question to frightened Elijah addresses us all. Why have we taken this path? What events got us into our current situation or life crisis? Now that we are here, what is our intention? Elijah’s intent was to save his skin. But, in hiding out, he discovered he could... Read more
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