Why Colin Kaepernick’s Protest Is More Pro-American than His Critics’ The great thing about America is…that here people have the right to protest things going on in America by not standing during the national anthem and by not saluting the American flag. To be sure, Americans also have the right to criticize such persons and their protests, but condemning them as “traitors” is un-American. In fact, it smacks of totalitarianism. When an American sings the national anthem or salutes the... Read more

Why Are We So Afraid of Emotion in Worship? Who’s “we?” Well, of course, I mean we white American evangelicals and especially Baptists/baptists. (For those not “in the know,” “baptist” refers to Baptists  and all who don’t call themselves “Baptists” but hold basic Baptist conviction.) The other day I was worshiping with some fellow American evangelical Christians, mostly baptists, and the worship leader had us sing a particularly moving modern hymn about the cross and the atonement. I was simply... Read more

Evangelical Christian Thoughts about “Mindfulness” Recently I had the privilege of reading a fine doctoral dissertation by a brilliant young Christian social worker and counselor about “Mindfulness.” I had already seen and heard the term but was not fully aware of what it meant. Her dissertation argued, very cogently, that, even though contemporary Mindfulness is often rooted in Buddhism, Christians can use it helpfully and that there are historical Christian precedents for it in especially Christian mysticism. In other words,... Read more

Why I Am Not a Fan of Contemporary American Sports In spite of my good intentions and promises to myself I just cannot seem to avoid expressing controversial opinions here. That has sometimes resulted in inter-personal controversies I regret. I hope what I say here can be taken as my “musings” and not as any criticism of or attack on persons—except those who I believe exploit athletes and athletics for personal gain whether that be monetary or entertainment. I will... Read more

Is There a “Christian Ideology?” Recently I read an editorial that referred to a Christian university’s “Christian ideology.” This editorial was written by a very intelligent journalist. (Like all editorials it was unsigned, but I happen to know who wrote it.) To me, anyway, “Christian ideology” is an oxymoron. If something is true Christianity it cannot be ideological; if something is a true ideology it cannot be authentically Christian. So, before someone jumps in to protest, let me acknowledge that,... Read more

One of American Evangelicalism’s Biggest Failures: Lack of Literary Fiction about Itself When I write a blog post I have to assume readers know something about “where I’m coming from.” I can’t stop and spent hundreds of words explaining my background, my mental, spiritual and emotional context. On the other hand I am excruciatingly aware that not knowing that (which is often the case with newcomers to my blog) sets up a likelihood of misunderstanding. So, for those who don’t... Read more

An Evangelical Response to David Gushee’s RNS Essay “On LGBT Equality” In his August 22, 2016 Religion News Service essay “on LGBT equality, middle ground is disappearing,” evangelical ethicist David Gushee rightly announces that “middle ground” on the issue of LGBT equality is quickly disappearing. Americans, including Christians, are increasingly polarized over it. That’s more or less acknowledged by most people. I have tried to explore and recommend some middle ground myself, here, on my blog and in the local... Read more

Preview of a New Book about Calvinism: Oliver Crisp’s Saving Calvinism: Expanding the Reformed Tradition I read and review both kinds of books here—ones for Calvinism and ones against Calvinism. I also read and review books for Arminianism and ones against Arminianism. I won’t claim to be impartial, but I do claim to strive for balance. My most recent post here was a review of a new book against Calvinism by an Arminian philosopher—theologian. Here I will preview a forthcoming... Read more

Review of New Book about Calvinism and Arminianism: Jerry Walls’s Does God Love Everyone: The Heart of What Is Wrong with Calvinism Yesterday I was asked by bright, eager, young Christian student of theology to identify “the one major difference between Calvinism and Arminianism.” Without hesitation I identified it the way evangelical Arminian philosopher Jerry Walls does in this book (published this year by Cascade Books, in imprint of Wipf and Stock): the character of God. On page 80 Walls... Read more

*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. If your comment violates the rules stated there it will probably not be posted to this blog.* *First read... Read more