Coming Soon…Please Watch for These Here!

*The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

Coming Soon…Please Watch for These Here!

Now that I have reluctantly decided to return to blogging I have had to decide where to begin and with what. I have no idea whether my choice is best, but I have decided to publish here a mini-book in several “chapters” (individual blog posts in a series) answering the question why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” The series will begin with my “first principle” of thought—the natures of truth and authority—and proceed step-by-step to why I am an Arminian theologically. It will, of course, of necessity, due to the nature of the medium (blogging), be somewhat brief. But, who knows, it may become the skeleton of a future book.

Once I begin that series of philosophical-theological blog posts (written accessibly for all people, not just scholars), I will not interrupt it. I will post one essay every few days until they are all here. My response to many questions along the way will of necessity be “Wait for it….” In other words, many questions raised by what I say in earlier blog posts will be answered in later ones. Yet, I’m sure there will be questions left over, unanswered, at the end. It’s not a “summa.”

Before beginning that series, however, I plan to post two random—not related to that series—posts. The first will pick up a theme I began some time ago and attempt to make a point I made very clumsily then. Now I entitle it “The Rule of Good Intentions and Unintended Consequences.”

Also, before beginning my series about why I am an evangelical Arminian Christian, I will post here a review of a book I recently received from the publisher with a request that I review it on my blog. I am not always able to honor such requests, but this time I feel compelled to. I receive free books from publishers and authors all the time. Usually there is some preceding or accompanying request that I review the book on my blog or in some publication. Such books often end up on my shelf—staring at me and making me feel a little guilty for not honoring the request. The reason I don’t is that I simply have too many such books—to say nothing of ones I need to read for new courses I plan to teach and for research I’m conducting.

This book—that I plan to review here soon—is authored by my friend and former colleague Gregory A. Boyd (together with some of his friends). It’s one of the most unusual books I have ever seen—one that deals with very serious subjects of science, philosophy and theology in a very humorous and winsome way. If you want to order a copy so that you can see whether you agree or disagree with my review it is: The Cosmic Dance: What Science Can Teach us about the Nature of Time, Life, God & Humpty Dumpty. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be available at Amazon.com. However, I’m sure you can order your personal copy from the publisher: ReKnew, P. O. Box 40541, St. Paul, MN 55105 and www.reknew.org. I will warn you in advance that, at first glance, it looks like a “Dick and Jane Picture Book” (and the authors admit that appearance). What it really is, however, is an attempt to defend Boyd’s (and others’) view of God in time and facing an open future scientifically, philosophically, biblically and theologically—for those of us not experts in intricacies of those subjects (e.g., quantum physics versus relativity theory).

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment solely to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).