Us For Them: Chapter 7: Conservative and Progressive In this chapter author Austin Fischer delivers a powerful punch to Christians locked into ideological mindsets, unwilling to listen to others. I think he gives good descriptions of conservative and progressive mindsets and urges people with them to open up and learn from the others. Both mindsets have real values and virtues, unless they become rigid mindsets. Both have real problems, especially when they become rigid mindsets. I love Austin’s personal stories... Read more

Should Christians Have Buddha Images in Their Homes? My wife and I watch a British (UK) television show about people seeking houses in villages and rural areas to escape city life. That way we see a lot of the UK (mostly Great Britain, rarely Northern Ireland). One thing that strikes us is how many British homes have Buddha images, pictures or statues, on display. Fewer, but some, American homes have these. When I was a kid growing up in conservative... Read more

Can “The Universe” Have Intentions? Recently I have heard or read an almost avalanche of references to “the universe” (or “fate”) as if it were God. If you watch American television, movies, read (or listen to) novels, short stories, etc. You should know what I mean. “The universe brought us together.” “The universe is punishing me.” “The universe planned this.” “The universe is telling me.” Substitute “fate” for “the universe” and the same kinds of statements can be heard and... Read more

Us For Them: Chapter 6: Righteousness Porn The author, Austin Fischer, told me that a major Christian publisher rejected the manuscript of this book because “People don’t want to be told to shut the hell up.” They sure don’t! But, o, how often I have wanted to say that! I’m sure you have also. One thing I like about this book is that Austin takes risks most authors of book with a Christian audience wouldn’t take. It’s refreshing. I had... Read more

Should Christians Celebrate War? The simple and obvious answer is no. Christian should not celebrate war. Jesus was a man of peace. The Bible tells us, his followers, to live at peace. Ancient Christians (2nd-4th centuries) almost universally condemned war and forbade Christians to participate in war. And yet, many American (and others) Christians celebrate war. They shouldn’t. They should celebrate peace. My thought turned to this subject not for the first time this year (2024) as many local churches... Read more

A Dark Day in America Today, July 3, 2024, the news is just beginning really to sink in. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently declared that a president of the US (POTUS) is immune from prosecution for acts done in the carrying out of his constitutional duties. This undeniably sets the stage for a dictatorship. Whether that will come about is open to the future. Only time will tell. Someone will say that dictatorship is not in... Read more

Us For Then: Chapter 5: Clashing Victimocracies Here I continue discussion of Austin Fischer’s excellent book Us For Them: Seeking Higher Ground in the Cultural Holy Wars (Cascade Books, 2024). I hope my comments about the book will stimulate you to buy it if not already. As he often does, Austin begins the chapter with a strong affirmation of “victim narratives.” “Christians are theologically obligated to be drawn to victim narratives. If you’re a Christian repelled by victim narratives, you’re... Read more

Honestly Asking Gay-Friendly Churches The questions I ask here are aimed solely at churches that are 1) Bible-believing, orthodox (especially evangelical), and 2) gay-friendly (welcoming and affirming). People want to know. How do you “square” being gay-friendly (welcoming and affirming) with being Bible-believing, orthodox, evangelical? People want to know. What do you do with the clear New Testament condemnations of sex intercourse between people of the same sex? For example, sodomy. I don’t need to tell you what those are... Read more

The Ten Commandments and Public Schools According to reliable news sources, the American State of Louisiana has passed a law that the Bible’s Ten Commandments be posted in every public school room in the state. Of course, this raises concerns about the separation of church and state. But should it? That’s the question for discussion here. I’m not interested in knee-jerk reactions, only thoughtful ones and especially ones by evangelical Christians (broadly defined). The Louisiana law is likely to be... Read more

Does God Know Everything? Okay, the title of this post is not quite right, but the program does not allow lengthy titles. Here is what this blog post should be called: What Does “Divine Omniscience Mean?” Recently I reviewed (in brief) a book of analytical theology by R. T. Mullins. It’s title is “The End of the Timeless God.” I expressed interest in what Mullins thinks of open theism—the theory that God does NOT know the future exhaustively and infallibly.... Read more