The Public Theology of Kang Phee Seng

Last updated on: July 4, 2023 at 12:36 pm By Ted Peters

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 2: Incarnation

Last updated on: February 13, 2023 at 5:57 pm By Ted Peters

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

Last updated on: July 4, 2023 at 8:19 pm By Ted Peters

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

Short Prayers 1: Creation

Last updated on: February 13, 2023 at 5:53 pm By Ted Peters

God of creation, who brought us and our world into existence, please continue to create; and give us the eyes to see the beauty of this creation as well as the one yet to come. Read more

Short Prayers! Really?

Last updated on: December 27, 2021 at 8:36 pm By Ted Peters

Short prayers! Really? Yes, prayers should be short. At least this is what Jesus says. When introducing what has become known as “The Lord’s Prayer,” Jesus remarks NRS Matthew 6:7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Empty phrases packaged in many... Read more

Sin 6: Sin and Grace

Last updated on: August 20, 2023 at 1:09 pm By Ted Peters

I've been sonar sounding sin's depths for some decades now. Yes, there's a level of intractable mystery connected with sin. Yet, it is worth a sustained pursuit to understand sin and grace theologically. This post is the sixth in the series: (1) Sin 1: Sin? Really? (2) Sin 2: Sin as Self-Justification; (3) Sin 3: the Visible Scapegoat: (4) Sin 4: the Invisible Scapegoat; (5) Sin 5: Sin Boldly! and now (6) Sin 6: Sin and Grace. Read more

The Public Theology of Noreen Herzfeld

Last updated on: July 4, 2023 at 12:38 pm By Ted Peters

The Public Theology of Noreen Herzfeld Patheos PT 5011 Public Theology? What is it? Meet Noreen Herzfeld. An upright Quaker with Lutheran leanings, Dr. Herzfeld’s investments in theological reflection enrich both the church and the surrounding culture. Let’s ask her what she thinks about public theology. Let’s ask her specifically: how should we steer the public theologian’s skiff in the wake of AI’s battle cruiser? Like so many other Quakers, Noreen has set sail on the cartel of nonviolence. Ports?... Read more

Christmas: the Great Human Dignity Conferral

Last updated on: December 14, 2021 at 11:44 am By Ted Peters

What is a progressive Christian? A progressive Christian confers dignity on all those who have been denied dignity. Actually, this is the mission of all Christians, not only the progressive ones. Actually, this is the mission of all citizens. By giving attention to the blind, the lame, the lepers, and the tax collectors, Jesus conferred dignity on each one. Whereas these marginalized had experienced lack of respect if not humiliation, Jesus conferred God’s worth on each person. Christmas means that... Read more

Are Jesus-Substitutes Blasphemy?

Last updated on: November 30, 2021 at 8:59 pm By Ted Peters

Who belongs in the manger? Who belongs on the cross? Jesus? Or, a Jesus-substitute? Does a Jesus-Substitute commit blasphemy? Christian iconography and art collapses the historical Jesus into the artist’s context. Hermeneutically, this is the principle of application or applicatio. The saving work of Jesus Christ is pro me, for me, Martin Luther emphasized (Stjerna). Because nobody took a video or photograph of the historical Jesus, every artistic depiction includes a constructive interpretation by the artist. The critical postmodern interpreter... Read more

Who was the last judge of Israel?