I read Jonathan Merritt’s interview with Rev. Lillian Daniel. I haven’t read the book yet so this post is based on the interview only. I’m intimately familiar with Daniel’s concern for those who’ve left the church. I was a minister of local congregations for 30 years and thought exactly the same way she does. She knows the church faces increasing losses of its members because more and more people claim to be SBNR (spiritual but not religious). Growing numbers want... Read more
The theological concept of penal substitution, or substitutionary atonement, means that Christ by his own sacrificial choice was punished (penalized) in the place of sinners (substitution), satisfying the demands of God’s wrath so that he could justly forgive our sins. Some theologians find it in scripture, perhaps based on the Old Testament sacrificial lamb metaphor. The Reformers developed it. Lawyers, like Calvin, loved it and made it even more legalistic. However, other creative thinkers like George MacDonald and C. S.... Read more
Joel Osteen says some good things. He does some good things too. I’m not into the argument that we should copy the way Jesus taught or that the church needs to return to its most primitive state. Matters of style are secondary. They are important because the medium is the message. But they are secondary. The content will shape its presentation. What Osteen and similar ministries communicate is positivity, success, prosperity, and hope, wrapped in a charismatic theology and style.... Read more
I am a firm believer that what is real remains. And what is false falls away. There is no reason to fear the increasing studies suggesting the possibility that the miracles in the Jesus story were popular themes that circulated during that era. Prophecies of a savior to come. Virgin births. A special name. Heavenly portents. Precociousness. Multiplying food. Turning water to wine. Healing. Walking on water. Angels. Demons. The ghosts of ancient heroes appearing. Going to heaven and back.... Read more
I don’t ever remember making our three children go to church. They have different memories. I wonder if teen Jesus complained. I don’t want to go! It’s too booooooring! The rabbi’s an asshole! Why do we keep reading those ancient manuscripts? I don’t believe all that crap! What’s the point? Won’t God love me whether I go or not? I’m sick! I have too much homework. I’m old enough to make my own decisions. Judas’ parents don’t make him go.... Read more
How would you cast this demon out? Where would you lay your hands on the woman? I’m sure it could become a popular new ministry. Is Beelzeboob more powerful in a 38D than a 32B? And where would you cast Beelzeboob out to? “I bind thee Beelzeboob in an underwire bra forever!” A video of a woman defending her right to breastfeed in public was circulating the web yesterday. Don’t mess with her! I started to think of a cartoon... Read more
I remember the first time I read the books of Judges and Joshua all in one day. I was overwhelmed with the violence of those books. They are full of blood, flowing throughout their pages, just like the bloody flood in the hallways of The Shining. Men, women and children, as well as animals, are being slaughtered everywhere every day. Someone sent me an interview of John Piper where he was asked why it was okay for God to slaughter... Read more
So we’re going to try out a podcast! My good friend and fellow member of The Lasting Supper Pam Werner is going to be my co-host. It should happen once a week. We’re going to just chat about stuff that’s been going on in our lives and online. Basically nakedpastor verbal! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Read more
Part of my task is to comb the internet to find out what’s happening in the world. I read a lot of news, especially if it involves religion, specifically Christianity and the church. There are a lot of good things happening out there. But what is most in my face is the the meanness that takes place between people, even if they ought to be on the same page. I know when I post my cartoons and thoughts I’m taking... Read more
It gets very frustrating when I try to initiate a conversation on a topic and people quote scripture after scripture after scripture. Then when I say I don’t agree with their view of scripture, they quote more scripture to support their view of scripture. Then when I tell them that this is ineffective because, as I’ve already said, I don’t agree with their view of scripture, then they quote more scripture with warnings of divine punishment because I don’t agree... Read more
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