The Public Theology of Robert Benne Patheos PT 5007 The public theology of Robert Benne provides a reality check. Just what is human nature? How can we forecast the good and the bad in human politics? How can we inspire a lofty vision of the common good while being realistic about what is and is not achievable? When public theologian Robert Benne looks through his paradoxical lenses, he can dispel delusions about both the reality of God and the reality... Read more
What is Epiphany? Oh, yes, the three wise men on camels show up at Jesus’ manger with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But the significance of epiphany here is that knowledge of God’s plan of grace has now spread from Israel to Iran (Persia) and the wider world. We celebrate this event each year on January 6. What is epiphany? Try 2 Timothy 1:10 for an answer. “It has now been revealed through the appearing [epiphany] of our Saviour Christ Jesus,... Read more
NASA and religion? Really? Yes, really. NASA and Priests Preparing for ETI Contact? SR 1168 “NASA is hiring priests to prepare humans for contact with aliens,” reads one headline. “NASA paid priests to figure out how to deal with aliens,” reads another. [Alien in spiritual triangle by Thomas Larch] Is NASA actually teaming up with clergy to better prepare terrestrial society for extraterrestrial encounter? Yes. And No. Sorta. But, it’s old news. The consultation took place during 2016 at Princeton... Read more
Short Prayers? What about Truth? And, What is Truth, anyhow? “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” Luke 8:8b Without an ear inclined to listen and to receive the truth, there can be no revelation. Jesus asks us to get out the Q-Tips and clear our ears from debris so that we can hear the truth of God when it’s spoken to us. Actually, a well crafted short prayer would make an effective Q-Tip. Crisis at the Border The time... Read more
The public theologian should engage American discourse by offering a narrative of hope employing three fruitful terms: Recognition, Redirection, and Renewal. Read more
"Public theology is a theological-philosophical endeavor to provide a broader frame of reference to facilitate the responsibility of the church and theological ethics for social, political, economic, and cultural issues. It investigates public issues, developing conceptual clarity and providing social-ethical guidance of religious conviction and response to them" Read more
The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings. The messenger angel, Gabriel, announced to Mary and Joseph that the child of the Most High would soon be born. The three Wise Men of the East had already boarded their camels and were on the way to site of that birth. So, I ask: why didn’t anybody phone ahead to the Bethlehem Holiday Inn and reserve a room? “Christmas... Read more
The Public Theology of Kang Phee Seng in Hong Kong Patheos PT 5010 One Country, Two Systems. Really? It appears that the once shining jewel–the democratic and cosmopolitan international city of Hong Kong–is being smudged by communist totalitarianism. “The pro-democracy movement has been crushed and its biggest advocates and fighters jailed, silenced, or sent fleeing overseas,” according to The Guardian. What’s a public theologian to do amidst the Hong Kong turmoil? Meet the courageous Kang Phee Seng... Read more
Short Prayers? What about Incarnation? Why do we celebrate Christmas? Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7 Our son Paul was born on the south side of Chicago. Our daughter Kathy Kim was born in South Korea. They became brother and sister through... Read more
The Drumbeat African Public Theology of Mwaambi G Mbûûi PT 5016 A distinctively African public theology that rises out of a specifically African context? Let’s ask: what does public theology look like when pursued in an African context by Africans? The non-African world can thank Sunday Bobai Agang along with Diaon A. Forster and H. Jurgens Hendriks for editing and publishing the dramatic collection of essays, African Public Theology (Carlisle UK: Langham Publishing, Hippo Books, 2020). (Photo: Mwaambi G Mbûûi)... Read more
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