Jesus versus Paul: A Sign of Liberal Theology? Let me just say right off the bat that, as a scholar of modern theology, pitting Jesus against Paul and Paul against Jesus has been a hallmark of liberal Protestant theology since the Enlightenment. But even Thomas Jefferson couldn’t accept everything Jesus said so he created what has come to be known as “The Jefferson Bible” which is really titled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. Every Christian I have… Read more

Evangelicals and Trump According to a recent news report, Pew Research says that approximately 75% (give or take some) of white evangelicals think Trump is currently doing a good job as president—indicating they will vote for him again this year. (The new report said “about seventy percent but the web site said about eighty percent so I’m going with seventy-five percent.) Here are my thoughts about this… *Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest… Read more

Now I Support Government Funding of Religious Schools (Not) *Satire Warning* *Note: I had to put “satire warning” after the title above just because hard experience has taught me that many people are satire-challenged. Even with the strongest hints they don’t get that something is satirical. Also: IF you choose to comment on this blog post, remember that this is not a discussion board; it is a moderated blog and I will not approve and post here comments that are… Read more

Non-Violent Revolution Is Possible *Note: Here I speak only for myself. If you choose to comment, know that I will not approve any comment that is uncivil, misrepresents what I wrote, is off topic, is hostile, is overly long. Keep it brief, on topic, and address only me. Be kind. This is not a discussion board; it is a moderated blog where I express my opinions and allow the right kind of discussion. If you are not an evangelical Christian,… Read more

Words of Caution and Advice for the Protesters *Note: If you choose to comment make sure your words are civil, respectful (of others here and elsewhere) and non-inflammatory. Hostile, angry, vicious diatribes will not be posted here. This is a space for calm, rational discussion of theology and ethics—especially from an evangelical Christian perspective. Do not include any hyperlinks in your comment. Do not include lengthy quotations. Do not merely preach a sermon or quote the Bible or someone else…. Read more

Is Racism Ignorance or Disease? Of course these are not the only two options; it’s possible that racism is both ignorance and disease or neither. But I have been wondering this: Does even really good education about race work to eradicate racism from people? Obviously, one answer is—yes, some people. But what about others? Are there people who cannot be liberated from their racisms by education alone? Background to my question: It seems to me that we, Americans (and no… Read more

Whatever Happened to Shame? Some of you, my dear readers, may be old enough to remember a television program hosted by journalist Arnold Diaz (one version on CBS and another version on Fox Network) in which consumer fraud was exposed and each segment ended with a large finger pointing at the name of the company or individual with the words “Shame! Shame! Shame!” printed and chanted. It seems to me that today’s American society is ashamed of shame; we have… Read more

History Repeating Itself? History does not really repeat itself, but there are patterns and similarities to epochs within history. Here is what I think and how I feel. I think I know what it felt like to be a “real Christian” (not a gnostic or pretend Christian) during the first years of the reign of Emperor Constantine in the Roman Empire. While some so-called Christians were celebrating the “Christianizing of the empire” I would have been groaning at the birth… Read more

The Problem with “All Lives Matter” “Black lives matter!” Predictable response from some white people: “All lives matter.” What’s the problem? The problem is that not everyone believes black lives are included in “all lives.” So responding to “Black lives matter” with “All lives matter” in this context where unarmed, innocent black people are being killed by police without cause is much worse than politically incorrect; it is an expression of white supremacy. Context matters. Of course all lives matter…. Read more

How American (White) Evangelicalism Has Changed I have lived a long life “in the thick” of white American evangelical Christianity. I won’t here lay out all my bona fides. If you doubt them, look me up on the internet. I can legitimately claim to be just about as knowledgeable about white American evangelical Christianity as anyone.   One thing I am both blessed and cursed with is a good long-term memory. I remember the churches I grew up in very… Read more